Meeting Time: 9:00 am at the Covered Bridge in Guelph
9:30 am 6th line Nassagaweya and Pineridge Dr. near the scout Camp.
Section 5 will be a loop including the Sugar Bush sidetrail.
Right after we will be completing section 6 out and back. See below for further descriptions.
Join us for one section or both, please let a hike leader know when we meet that day.
Level 2 Hike (some hills with 20 kms of hiking)
Pace Moderate
Please pack water (2 litres and snacks) Good hiking boots/shoes recommended, extra socks, Layered clothes for the weather.
Hike Leaders: Wally Vandervaart, wallyvandervaart@gmail.com
Mary Mitchell, mhmitchell1@gmail.com 819-321-5378
Part 1: RLT section 5 (Distance 10 km including two side trails) Loop, 2 hours
5th Line to 6th Line Nassagaweya. Turn left (north) at the 5th Line for about 250 metres then right (east) to follow the abandoned rail bed. Be aware that there is poison ivy on both sides of the trail. After about 700 metres the trail enters the Blue Springs Scout Reserve, and soon turns sharply right (south) onto an impressive wooden boardwalk, built by the Scouts and now maintained by GHTC. It snakes through a swampy area, and crosses Blue Springs Creek. The trail runs up through a cedar forest before entering a clearing, then turns sharp left (east), skirting the Blue Heron Scout Camp. Within sight of 6th Line, the trail turns sharply right, and after passing through woods and a meadow, emerges onto a large field. It follows past the Scout Camp parking lot, and comes out onto 6th Line.
Blue Springs Side Trail
This blue-blazed trail heads south on 5th Line (from 30 Side Rd.) across Blue Springs Creek, and then turns left over a stile on the east side of the road. The trail skirts fields and then enters a hardwood forest, and soon turns north to cross a wooden bridge, passing through some hilly terrain and lovely cedar forests. Back on the Scout Camp property, it re-joins the main trail.Sugar Shack Side Trail: This blue blazed loop trail runs off the Blue Springs Side Trail. It goes through coniferous plantations, a hardwood forest, and past the ruins of a sugar shack. Artefacts from an industrial maple syrup farm are visible alongside the trail. Hills and valleys provide some interesting elevation changes on this trail. There is a pleasant lookout near the southern end of this loop.
Part 2: Out and Back RLT section 6, Distance: 10 km, 2 hours
The trail then enters woods on the east side of the road and parallels the road heading south. Turn left (east) off of the 6th Line road (opposite Pine Ridge Drive) and follow the fence lines through scrubby meadows and woodlands, where there is an interesting variety of trees and plants. Watch carefully for the Trail's orange markers in the open area. In the denser woods, walking over the rocks and stones presents some challenges.The trail is undulating and rises steeply to “Kong Hill.” There is a beautiful panoramic view from the top. Descend the hill through coniferous plantations. The trail emerges onto the abandoned rail bed; turn right (east) and cross the Blue Springs Creek. 100 metres beyond the creek the trail turns to the right (south). The varied terrain includes low spots which may be wet in spring and rocky inclines along the bedrock edge of the glacial spillway where the walking is more rugged than in most parts of the Radial Line Trail. These woods offer a variety of flora and fauna (including golfers) for the interested naturalist. Its varied scenery and habitat make Section 6 one of the most interesting and attractive of the Radial Line Trail. Watch carefully for the blazes and make sure you follow them! Do not trespass on the golf course.
