Caledon Section Completed

I can barely contain my excitement for this upcoming hike, and the anticipation has been building. Even on the morning of our adventure, my heart raced with exhilaration as I prepared to embark on this journey. On March 21, 2026, Oliver, Mia and I set out to conquer the very last segment of the Caledon Section of the Bruce Trail, a milestone that felt monumental. This will be our very first section completed! Reflecting on my previous attempt, I remember how I had initially tried to complete this final stretch back in January. Unfortunately, as you may recall, we ran out of time, and the experience left me yearning for closure. For those who may not remember, I encourage you to revisit my earlier account of that day, which you can find here: Caledon East Hike: Sleswick. At that time, I was so close to the finish line, with only a mere .13 kms left to complete the Caledon Section. Yes, you heard that right—just .13 kms! It’s almost comical how such a tiny distance could hold so much significance. In fact, I could have easily convinced myself that I had finished, simply moving on with my life and claim my End to End badge without a second thought. However, on a moral level, I just couldn't bring myself to do that. The thought of leaving this minuscule section unfinished gnawed at me. I felt a strong compulsion to complete this little piece of the trail that I had missed, not just for the badge, but for the sense of accomplishment that comes from truly finishing what I started. Before I had even considered the idea of completing the entire Bruce Trail, I had already traversed the north loop known as Cam Snell and later tackled the lower loop in Hockley Valley. It wasn’t until I began meticulously tracking my completed trails that it dawned on me how I missed this small section.

In order to reach that little ,13 kms section of the trail, we needed to embark on a 3kms hike in total. This initial stretch of our journey was filled with anticipation and excitement, and as we set off, I could feel an infectious smile spreading across my face, coupled with a delightful sense of giddiness. The thought of completing this section filled me with joy and motivation. The day itself was quite warm and comfortable, with temperatures hovering around the zero-degree mark, allowing me to dress in a sweater with my rain jacket, along with a thin pair of mitts.

This was a refreshing change from my previous hiking experience, where I had to bundle up in heavy winter gear, layering myself in thick clothing to combat the biting cold. The contrast was palpable, and I welcomed the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without feeling weighed down by excessive layers. On my feet, I wore my reliable IceBug winter boots, which proved to be the ideal footwear for this particular hike, especially since the trail was heavily covered in ice.

The IceBugs are specifically designed for such conditions, featuring little metal spikes protruding from the bottom that provide exceptional traction on slippery surfaces. As we navigated the trail, I felt confident in my footing, knowing that these boots were engineered to grip the ice effectively. One of the more challenging segments of our hike involved climbing a hill in Hockley Valley, an area that has been well-traveled over time. This frequent use had resulted in a surface that was entirely coated in a layer of ice, making it crucial to have the right footwear.

Thanks to my IceBugs, I was able to ascend this icy incline without any slips or falls, a feat that I knew would have been nearly impossible with any other type of boots. The peace of mind that came from knowing I was equipped with the right gear allowed me to focus on the beauty of the surroundings and the thrill of the hike itself.

Completing Caledon

As we were approaching our turnaround point (aka our Caledon completion spot) we passed a group of hikers. I was so overwhelmed with joy that I wanted to be that crazy person who shouts to them, "We are almost done this section!" I was literally bursting with pride at the hard work and dedication that Oliver, Mia and I have accomplished so far.

The instant we reached the end of the .13 kms, I stopped to fully absorb our accomplishment. I crouched down to give Oliver and Mia celebratory high-fives. Mia was so happy she decided to give a high-ten instead which I was more than happy to accept as we celebrated our success.

We had officially completed the Caledon section, and the elation I felt was beyond words. This milestone marked a significant achievement for us, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness and joy wash over me. The pride I felt for the pups was immense; they had navigated through various challenges with grace and determination. From overcoming unexpected obstacles along the trail to mastering the art of crawling through a stile, which had once posed a challenge for Oliver, their growth was evident. I remembered vividly the first time we encountered that stile; I had to coax Oliver through the tiny hole, and now he approaches them with much more confidence, he can maneuver through with very little encouragement. We have braved the elements together, hiking through rain-soaked trails and enduring bitterly cold, windy days that tested our determination. Even when faced with the daunting challenge of trudging through deep snow, the pups never faltered. They consistently rose to the occasion, displaying resilience and enthusiasm that made every step of the journey worthwhile. Their unwavering spirit filled me with pride, and I couldn't have asked for better companions on this adventure. Each moment spent together on this trail was a reminder of the bond we share and the incredible journey we have embarked upon.

This hike took us 1 hour to complete and we travelled 2.75 kms but only .13 kms can be contributed to the main trail.

WE DID IT!!! CALEDON SECTION COMPLETED!!!

Dufferin Hi-Lands Section

Since we only had a measly 3 kilometers hike left to complete the Caledon Section, I knew we had the capacity to push ourselves further, so I made the decision to plan an extended adventure by starting the second part of our hike further north. Completing the Caledon Section was a significant milestone, and having already tackled various parts of the Peninsula, it became increasingly evident that it was a logical progression to begin bridging the considerable gap that exists between Caledon and the Peninsula. I decided to begin going north of Caledon which brings us into the Dufferin Hi-Lands Section of the Bruce Trail.

As we started this new section, it was clear that we would have quite a bit of road walking to do. With the snow melting and the weather being mild, the dirt road we plan to traverse is turning into a muddy mess. The combination of thawing snow and recent rainfall has created a soft, squishy surface that will likely cling to our shoes and, more importantly, to the paws of my dog. Of course, I forgot to bring a towel for their paws, which means that when we return to the truck, it’s almost guaranteed to be covered in mud. Whoops! Good thing it's not my vehicle. haha

While road walking isn't ideal, it does happen from time to time on the Bruce Trail. Since I always hike with Oliver and Mia, road walking always makes me a bit more nervous because oftentimes houses on side roads allow their dogs to roam free. As we were walking down this road, I could hear a dog barking but didn't think much of it. We passed this house, set on a hill, that was far back from the road with a long driveway leading up to it. I saw a dog in the yard but I also saw a type of fence so I figured we were safe. As we continued, I looked to the side and I caught sight of the dog charging down the yard with a fierce energy that made my heart race.

The sight of the dog sprinting toward us was startling, and I felt a rush of adrenaline course through my veins. It was just me to protect Oliver and Mia, and the thought of being alone in this situation made my heart pound even faster. With no one else around to assist if things took a turn for the worse, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. As we drew closer to the edge of their property, the dog continued to run, its barking growing louder and more frantic. My mind began to race with possibilities, picturing various scenarios that could unfold if the dog decided to cross the invisible line that separated us.

Fortunately, as we moved passed the edge of their property, I noticed that the dog began to slow down and eventually came to a stop. I couldn’t quite determine whether the dog was restrained by an invisible fence or if it had simply been trained to respect the boundaries of its yard. Regardless of the reason, I felt a rush of relief wash over me. However, the experience left my heart still racing as I mentally prepared for the worst-case scenario. I knew that dogs, especially those that might feel territorial, can react unpredictably, and I was acutely aware that Oliver has a protective instinct. He often takes it upon himself to defend us.

But now I find myself increasingly concerned about the situation because we are hiking out and back along this particular trail, which means that I will inevitably have to pass by this house again on our return journey. My hope is that by that time, the dog will be inside his home. The thought of encountering that dog again is somewhat unsettling.

On a positive note, I feel fortunate that my two dogs were completely unfazed by the commotion. They continued to walk down the road with an air of nonchalance, as if nothing unusual was happening around them. This is a testament to their temperament and training; they are quite accustomed to the sounds of other dogs barking at them. Over time, I have tried to teach them to remain calm and composed in such situations. My approach has been to reinforce the idea that barking dogs are simply part of the environment we navigate, and there is no need for them to react or engage with the noise. I have specifically tried to train them to keep walking and to ignore any barking or growling that might occur as we pass by homes or yards where other dogs might be present. This training has proven effective, as they seem to handle these encounters quite well. Their ability to maintain focus on our hike, rather than becoming distracted or anxious, allows us to enjoy our outdoor adventures without unnecessary interruptions.

We worked our way into the Mono Cliffs Park, and to my surprise, the entire area is still completely blanketed in snow. This observation makes me think that this section isn't used as often. In contrast, Hockley Valley was covered in ice because of how much it is used.

This little section of Mono Cliffs Park is truly delightful. I only encountered two couples in this section which is a huge contrast to the 20 individuals I met during my brief hour visit to Hockley Valley. The solitude I am experiencing here in Mono Cliffs Park allows me to fully immerse myself in the beauty of nature, enjoying the peacefulness that comes with being surrounded by snow-laden trees and the crisp, clean air. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect and appreciate the serene environment, something that is often hard to find in more popular hiking spots. It is such a calm day, with no wind, which adds to the serene of the hike. All I hear is the crunching of the snow under our feet which makes it feel like a wintry day instead of spring approaching quickly. We saw a couple chipmunks and squirrels which tells me that spring is on its way.

Returning to the Truck

On our way back to the truck, as we were walking along the road, I suddenly became aware of a very loud woodpecker rhythmically drumming against the bark of a nearby tree. The sound was sharp and resonant, echoing through the quiet surroundings, and I found myself captivated by the sheer volume of its pecking. Intrigued, I looked up into the canopy of leaves above us and, to my amazement, I could see the woodpecker perched right above us, its vibrant red head sticking out against all the brown.

As we continued our walk, we soon approached the familiar house with the dog that had caught our attention earlier. The moment we came into view, the dog sprang into action once again, darting out from its yard barking while racing towards us. However, just like before, it halted abruptly at its property line, as if an invisible barrier was holding it back. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over me; I was grateful that an incident never occurred.

This hike took us 2 hrs and 23 minutes to complete and we travelled 9.5 kms however because it was an out and back hike, only 4.9 kms can be attributed to the main Bruce Trail.

Thank you,

Kendal