Oliver's Creek and Side Trail

We did this hike on March 29, 2026, and I knew that we were going to come across Oliver's Creek and the Side Trail. Is it just me, or do you also feel a surge of excitement when you encounter places named after family members or friends? Maybe I'm the only one. Haha!

Before I left home that morning, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma about what to wear. I debated whether to don my spring jacket, which is lighter and more breathable, or to opt for my light winter jacket, which provides more insulation and warmth. After much contemplation, I literally had my spring jacket on and was ready to head out the door when I decided at the last minute to switch to my winter jacket instead. Thank goodness I made that choice! The air was quite brisk that morning, and while there was a promise of warmer temperatures as the day progressed, the current chill was palpable. The thermometer read around 0 degrees Celsius, which is definitely on the colder side.

As I prepared for the hike, I also made another decision regarding my footwear. I opted to wear just my regular hiking boots instead of my IceBugs, which are specifically designed for icy conditions. My reasoning was based on the last hike I completed, which ended at the same location where we were starting this journey. During that previous outing, I had found the trails to be relatively clear of ice, and the weather had been sunny and warm for several days leading up to this hike. I figured that with the warmth, more ice would have melted, making it unnecessary to wear my specialized boots.

Start of the Hike

For the start of the hike, I was rather cold, so I'm truly glad I chose to wear my light winter jacket. The chill in the air is quite palpable, and as I step out onto the trail, I can feel the icy breeze nipping at my cheeks and fingers. It's pretty icy at the beginning of this hike, which adds an element of trepidation to the experience. I can't help but feel a bit nervous about what this hike has in store for us, especially since I'm just wearing my regular hiking boots, which are not particularly designed for icy conditions. Just a few moments into the hike, I already almost wiped out on a slick patch of ice, and we have barely begun our journey.

I have planned a 16 km hike for today. However, I must admit that I'm not really in the mood for hiking at this moment, even as I take my first steps on the trail. It's a beautiful day, and the scenery is breathtaking, but my mind is elsewhere, and my body feels weighed down by fatigue. I’m hoping that as we progress along the trail, I might find my enthusiasm rekindled and become more engaged with the experience. However, as of right now, I just feel incredibly tired. This exhaustion is likely a result of a long and demanding week at work, which seemed to be never ending. Perhaps as I immerse myself in the beauty of nature and the rhythm of the hike, I will gradually shake off this lethargy and rediscover my love for the great outdoors.

Challenge: Ice Hills

Well .... I definitely regret not wearing my IceBugs for this hike. We came up to a small steep hill that was completely covered in a thick, glistening sheet of ice. As we approached this daunting hill, I noticed Oliver and Mia instinctively crouched down low to the ground. Their body language clearly signaled their awareness of the icy conditions; they were being cautious. They gingerly attempted to navigate the hill. They did slide a bit but overall their descent was a success. I took a moment to assess my own situation. I was wearing my regular hiking boots, which, while comfortable, were not equipped to handle the icy terrain we were facing. I weighed my options, and it quickly became clear that attempting to walk down the hill in my current footwear would likely result in a fall, something I would prefer to avoid. The thought of falling and possibly injuring myself made me reconsider my approach. There was no option to go around the icy patch so I decided that the best course of action for me was to sit down on my butt and slide down the hill instead. It seemed like a much safer and more controlled way to navigate the icy slope. As I lowered myself to the ground, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Here I was, an adult, choosing to slide down a hill like a child, but sometimes you have to embrace the moment.

We eventually ascended a large hill, which made me quite warm and out of breath. However, since we're at a higher elevation, there's no ice. I'm hoping, though I might be mistaken, that we remain on high ground instead of descending into a valley.

Well, of course, my luck didn't last long, and I should have known better. This area is notoriously recognized for its rugged terrain, characterized by steep hills that rise sharply and then plunge rapidly into deep valleys, only to repeat this cycle of ascent and descent time and again.

So, it was no surprise when, shortly after enjoying a brief moment of triumph at the top of the last hill, we found ourselves faced with the daunting task of descending yet another formidable slope into a valley below. The hill loomed ahead, steep and imposing, its surface glistening ominously with ice. The descent required careful navigation and strategic planning to ensure that we all remained safe. I always think that I need my body in order to work, so I need to be cautious, as to not injure myself.

Fortunately, there were some trees nearby that provided a semblance of support as I began my descent. Their sturdy trunks offered a reliable handhold, and I clung to them for balance, using their branches to steady myself as I carefully maneuvered down the icy incline. However, despite this small advantage, the reality was that the majority of the descent was entirely on me. I had to rely on my instincts, my experience, and my physical abilities to make it down without slipping or losing my footing.

The ice was unavoidable and I can only imagine how comical my attempts at navigating this slippery terrain must have looked to any onlookers. If anyone had been watching, they would have certainly found amusement in my antics as I struggled to maintain my balance while going down the hill. Very rarely was I able to remain standing upright; instead, I spent the majority of my time crouched in a squat position. Great workout though! haha This strategic stance to minimize the distance I would fall if I did lose my balance, which, given the conditions, seemed inevitable. As I made my way down, there was a constant stream of gentle reassurances directed toward Oliver and Mia. I found myself repeatedly saying "gentle" throughout the descent, not that the dogs were pulling or misbehaving in any way. In fact, they were remarkably well-behaved, moving slowly and cautiously, adapting to the icy conditions with a grace that I could only envy. I think I was more so repeating this mantra to myself than to them, using it as a way to keep my own nerves at bay and to remind myself to proceed with caution.

We encountered a photographer who paused to chat, and he was also in regular hiking boots. We both agreed that we should have worn our winter hiking boots. Since we are hiking back the same way, I'm realizing that we'll have to face these icy hills once more on our return to the truck. Big eyeroll.

Challenge: Stile

We passed through a stile, a structure commonly found along hiking trails designed specifically to only allow hikers and their canine companions to navigate through to use the trail. In the photo, you can observe that the opening of the stile is quite small, creating a bit of a challenge for larger dogs. Mia, being small and nimble, has no issues whatsoever slipping underneath the horizontal beam with ease. Her agility allows her to dart through without a second thought, showcasing her comfort and familiarity with such obstacles.

On the other hand, Oliver, who is a bigger and not as confident, faces a more significant challenge when it comes to navigating through the stile. However, despite his initial hesitation, Oliver has had ample practice at these types of barriers, and his experience has turned him into something of a superstar in this regard. I barely have to give him encouragement anymore; he knows exactly what to do. With a swift and deliberate motion, he maneuvered his body through the tight space, showcasing not only his physical prowess but also the trust he has in his own abilities. Each time he conquers such an obstacle, it reinforces his confidence and enhances our hiking experience. It is moments like these that remind me of the joys of exploring the great outdoors with my dogs, as we tackle challenges together, forging memories that will last a lifetime.

We came to an open field and the trail followed the edge of it around. Normally, I’m not a fan of hiking along the periphery of such areas because it often feels monotonous and lacking in excitement. The repetitive scenery can make the experience feel tedious, as the landscape tends to remain unchanged for long stretches of the journey. However, given all the ice that I've had to navigate on this hike, I welcome this nice change. Since much of the snow and ice have completely melted from the open fields my hike around was much easier and safer. It was a nice reprieve from the icy bush walks.

Part way through the walk, I found myself feeling increasingly exhausted. I had hoped starting the hike, I would feel more in the mood but that did not happen on this day. I decided to message Jared, expressing my concerns and that we might not complete the full hike as originally planned. After taking a moment to pause and assess my options, I pulled out my phone and opened the Bruce Trail App to take a closer look at the map. Upon examining the trail layout, I discovered an alternative route that would allow us to hike the full length of the designated trail while potentially enabling us to return to the truck via the roads. This adjustment seemed appealing for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the roads would offer a much easier walking surface, devoid of the icy patches that had made our hike more difficult and treacherous. Secondly, I estimated that taking the roads back could save us a couple of kilometers, which would be beneficial given my current state of fatigue.

Oliver's Creek

We eventually came to our destination point of Oliver's Creek. I could hear the water before I could see it. It meandered gently through the landscape. As we approached, we noticed a charming boardwalk that gracefully spanned the creek, allowing us to walk over the water while taking in the serene surroundings. This boardwalk, made of weathered wooden planks, creaked softly under our footsteps, adding to the rustic charm of the place. I ensured to let Oliver know that this was his very own creek. Although he didn't understand my words, he was truly delighted by my tone and voice. After crossing the boardwalk, the trees opened up which allowed the sunlight to stream through.

We are nearing the turnaround point of our hike. As we proceed along the trail, we still come across icy patches that require careful navigation to prevent slipping and maintain our balance. However, I must note that the icy conditions we are experiencing now are not as severe as those we encountered at the beginning of our hike. We started in Boyne Valley, where the paths were covered in ice, particularly on the hills, almost as if it were done intentionally as a cruel joke. As we continued, the number of peaks and valleys decreased the further we moved from Boyne Valley, making the daunting icy hills less frequent.

Returning to the Truck

As we made our way along the road, we came up to a horse farm. The farm had large pastures with wooden fences marking the boundaries of the various enclosures. As we drew closer, we noticed several horses standing peacefully in their enclosures. As they noticed us approaching they all moved close to the road to get a better look at our little hiking crew. The first several just watched us, watching them. The dogs had stopped to look at these giant beasts. We continued slowly along the way, the dogs paying close attention to these big animals. As we passed a couple of the horses, they had more of a protective instinct than the others, as they charged the fences. One horse began to buck and kick, its powerful legs propelling it into the air in a display of defiance. The sight was both impressive and intimidating. They sent their message to me loud and clear: we were intruding on their space and we needed to move quicker along.

As we approached the truck, it's quite windy, and the temperature feels like 1°. The sun is shining, but there's a slight haze. I'm really glad I chose the roads because I couldn't bear the thought of tackling those icy hills again. The hike would have been much longer otherwise. I am happy that I did finish my planned hike. In total, this hike took us 4 hours, covering 13.5 km. Only 8 km of this distance was on the main Bruce Trail.

Thank you,

Kendal

Get Out There and Finish What you Planned, Even if You Don't Want To

Picture fail? Side effect of taking pictures when you're by yourself, branches will cover your face. Otherwise, super cute photo. haha