Mono Mills Winter Hikes

I've included two separate hikes within this post because they follow one another on the Bruce Trail. The first winter hike, Airport Road, was done on Dec 21, 2025 and Mono Mills was completed Dec 23, 2025.

Airport Road Winter Hike

This winter hike is located in the Hockley Valley area, but because I have several other hikes in this region, it definitely required a distinct name. The other hikes can be found here: Hockley Valley Eastern Trails and Hockley Valley, Forks of the Credit and Nottawasaga Lookout.

This particular morning, my alarm went off at 6am. I was coming off night shift so that was my first struggle of the day. Anyone who's experienced the rigors of shift work knows all too well how challenging it can be to transition between nights and days. At 6am, I had an internal battle of choosing to stay warm under the covers or brave the chilly winter morning with a crisp cold wind that awaited me outside. I had already committed my mind to hiking this trail so my choice was made and off went the covers.

Winter Hiking Tip: Plan your hikes the night before! If you decide to wait until morning to see "if you feel like going" I'm telling you right now, you won't go.

Jared chose to join us on the hike, which was incredibly advantageous. This allowed us to use two vehicles, parking one at the end of the trail. As a result, instead of hiking back and forth, we could traverse more ground and hike straight through. Initially, I had planned to cover only 6 km of the Bruce Trail (a total of 12 km, 6 km out and 6 km back), but with Jared's participation, we managed to cover 10 km of the main Bruce Trail.

The start of the hike was your typical ups and downs, a characteristic that is quite common for those navigating the Bruce Trail. Our first significant challenge was a massive hill that loomed ahead, its steepness was so daunting, we couldn't even see the top of where we were heading. The trail was narrow and winding, and at times, the ground beneath our feet was slick with ice from the recent snowfall, making each step a careful negotiation between balance and momentum. As we ascended, the effort began to take its toll; by the time we reached the top, we were both sweating and our legs were on fire from the exertion. Upon reaching the summit, we paused to catch our breath. To our right, we spotted an unused chairlift, which was a clear indication of how high we were.

Just before we tackled this significant climb, Jared had suggested a change in our hiking roles. He asked if I wanted to take the dogs while he carried the backpack, a proposition I agreed to. Little did he know that a massive hill awaited us just around the corner! Had he known, he would not have suggested a trade. Having two huskies definitely helps when ascending hills. Their natural instinct to lead the way and their boundless energy helped to propel me forward, making the ascent feel a bit easier. We’ve also noticed during our hikes that the person holding the dogs tends to hike much quicker than the one who doesn’t have them. It’s almost as if the dogs serve as a motivator, encouraging their human companions to keep pace and push through the fatigue.

The rest of the hike unfolded with a more manageable terrain, featuring smaller inclines and declines that made the journey feel less strenuous throughout a forest. The forest floor was beautifully snow covered and fortunately, the snow was well-compacted, providing a stable surface for our footsteps. However, while this made for easier walking in many areas, it also introduced a level of slipperiness that required us to be cautious with each step we took.

The temperature during our hike hovered around -15 degrees Celsius, which prompted both Jared and myself to dress appropriately for the conditions. We had opted for warm base layers and medium winter jackets that offered a good balance of warmth without being overly bulky. Throughout the hike, we were generally comfortable, though there were moments when we would remove our hats and mitts to cool down, only to find ourselves quickly reaching for them again as the chill in the air reminded us of its presence.

We had chosen to wear our tall winter boots for this adventure, primarily because we were uncertain about the conditions we would encounter on the trail. While they proved to be beneficial for insulation and protection against the cold, we soon realized that for the majority of the hike, they were more than what we needed. The snow was mainly packed down, allowing us to hike the path with relative ease. There was, however, one particular section of the trail that had multiple drifts where the snow rose to knee level. In hindsight, had we known that the trail would be predominantly manageable, we could have opted for lighter hiking footwear, which would have been more suitable for the conditions we encountered for the majority of our hike.

It was such a peaceful walk, only running into one other person. We were able to cover 8.45 kms of the main Bruce Trail in 3 hrs. This trail is in the Caledon Section.

Mono Mills Winter Hike

This may have been my favourite stretch of hiking in the Caledon area (so far). But, it may be attributed to all the fresh snow we got the night before. This winter hike was truly magical and amazing. I love summer hikes but I don't think it can compare to the wonder of snow covered trees, crisp air and the quiet elegance of what winter has to offer.

We hiked this on Dec 23, 2025. The night prior to our adventure, we were greeted with a beautiful snowfall that blanketed the landscape in approximately six inches of fresh, powdery snow. As I stood at the trailhead, I felt a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. This was my first time exploring this particular hiking trail and with the fresh snow from last night, it added an element of unpredictability to the experience.

The weather on that day was surprisingly mild for late December being -5 degrees Celsuis. I carefully chose my attire, opting for my light winter jacket paired with a sweater, complemented by my tall snow boots designed to keep my feet warm and dry. As we set off on the trail, I quickly realized that I might have overestimated the cold. The initial portion of the hike was invigorating, and I found myself shedding layers as I warmed up from the physical exertion. For the majority of the hike, I was comfortable in just my sweater, along with my cozy hat and mitts, which provided ample warmth.

The start of this hike brings you to a lookout, which I wasn't expecting at all. As we approached the lookout, it was so foggy that we couldn't see much at all. While lookouts can be truly breathtaking and stunning to see, I can appreciate the eerie fog that made me feel like one with the clouds.

Eventually, we entered the forest, which was nothing short of spectacular, enveloping us in a world of natural wonder. The serene beauty surrounding us was truly incomparable, as the towering trees stood majestically, their branches forming a protective snowy canopy overhead. Throughout this entire hike, the atmosphere remained remarkably quiet and peaceful, interrupted only by the soft crunch of snow beneath my boots.

The footpath in this section was pleasantly wide, a welcome change from the sometimes narrow trails typically found on the Bruce Trail. This wider path allowed for easier navigation and a more relaxed hiking experience. Despite the fresh snowfall blanketing the ground, the outline of the trail remained visible, which significantly facilitated our hiking experience.

As we ventured closer to Glen Haffy Conservation, we encountered a lovely woman who was hiking along the trail in her snowshoes. Her presence was not only a stroke of luck but also a pleasure, as she had done an excellent job of packing down the snow, making the walk much easier for those of us following in her tracks. It is always so lovely meeting friendly people on hikes where we exchange smiles and greetings, sharing a moment of camaraderie amidst the beauty of the winter forest.

This was my first hike where my phone was about to run out of battery. It was in the red, yikes! The feeling of anxiety crept in as I realized that without my phone, I would lose not only my ability to communicate but also my essential navigation tools and the ability to track my hike’s progress. Fortunately, I had the foresight to bring along a portable battery charging device, something I have never had to rely on before during my previous outdoor adventures.

I was surprised at how quick it was able to charge my phone so that I could continue tracking my hike without missing a beat. The ability to monitor my route, check my location, and even take photos of the breathtaking scenery around me was invaluable.

The cold weather likely contributed to my phone's battery draining more quickly than usual. This experience confirmed my choice to carry a battery pack and strengthened my commitment to anticipating safety situations.

This was the first hike on the Bruce Trail where we were fortunate enough to encounter a family of deer, a total of seven moving through the bush. As we trekked along the well-marked path, the sight of these deer added an unexpected thrill to our adventure. Oliver and Mia were particularly excited by this sighting as their instincts kicked in. It was clear they had an innate desire to chase after the deer, a behaviour they have exhibited on previous outings. Fortunately, they were leashed which allowed me to keep them safe in an unfamiliar area.

As the deer moved away from our path, they seemed remarkably calm by our presence. They walked casually out of our view and in the opposite direction that we were heading.

Obsessed with this photo. Depicts how small you can feel when surrounded by massive trees.

Considering all the snowfall we had experienced recently, this particular hike turned out to be surprisingly less slippery than the previous one we had undertaken. The beginning of this hike was particularly engaging, as we wound our way through a dense forest that was decorated with glistening snow on the branches. This section of the trail had many inclines and declines, which is always a challenge, especially when hiking with energetic dogs. The combination of steep hills and slippery surfaces can be a little nerve-wracking, as I always want to ensure the safety of Oliver and Mia and of course, myself. To mitigate any potential slips, I consistently remind the pups to take it easy when we’re coming down hills by saying “Gentle.” They have learned to associate this command with slowing their pace, which is incredibly helpful in maintaining control.

As we progressed closer to the end of our hike, we found ourselves descending a particularly steep section of the trail. The pups were behaving exceptionally well, adhering to my commands and moving at a slower pace as we navigated the tricky terrain. Despite their good behaviour, I still managed to lose my footing unexpectedly. As I felt myself slipping, I braced for impact and, fortunately, landing on my butt and forearm. Thankfully, I was not hurt or injured in any way; the snow provided a soft landing, and I was able to get back up quickly. Actually, no, that's a lie. I didn’t immediately get back on my feet. Since I was already sitting in the snow, I decided to embrace the moment and slide down the remainder of the hill. Upon reaching the bottom, is when I decided to get back on my feet and continue the rest of the hike.

As we approached the end, the trail became more open with fewer trees for shelter, allowing the wind to intensify significantly. Although I hadn't worn my jacket for most of the hike, I was thankful to have it at this point and could put it on to shield myself from the biting wind.

This hike was 15 kms in total and by the end I was totally exhausted. The last several hills I had to climb were very slow going. I felt like I was barely moving and going at a snails pace; it was a struggle! This hike in the Caledon Section took us 4 hrs and 48 minutes. 8.57kms can be attributed to the main Bruce Trail.

Thank you for reading,

Kendal

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