The difficulty of a hike is determined by the speed, distance, elevation gain and terrain. Please read the template to determine if the hike is right for you. More descriptors are included in the Guiding Notes below the template.
| HIKE TITLE |
Hidden Valley in the Spring |
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DATE
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Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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HIKE LEADER(S)
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Dave Somerville
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LEADER EMAIL AND CELL NUMBER
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905 659 6768
289 556 6707 Day of hike TEXT
cdsomerville4@gmail.com
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MEETING TIME and START TIME
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Meet at 9:15 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. start
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MEETING/ PARKING LOCATION
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Hidden Valley Park
Exit from Plains Rd. north on Howard Rd.
Around bend onto Lemonville Rd.
Right on Hidden Valley Rd.
When you first enter the park, watch for a bridge over the creek. After you cross the bridge, veer to the right, into the parking lot across the road from the Baseball Diamond on the left
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MEETING MAP (link)
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Hidden Valley Park
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ENTRANCE FEES
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None
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DISTANCE
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8 km. with a 5 km extra option
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DURATION OF HIKE
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Approx 3-4 hours
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SPEED
Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less
Moderate: 3-4 km/hour
Fast: 4-5 km/hour
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Moderate to Fast
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ELEVATION GAIN
Low: mostly flat - a few hills
Moderate: some ups and downs
High: lots of hills, steep and/or long
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Moderate
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TERRAIN
Easy: wide trail, usually good footing
Moderate: some areas of tricky footing
Challenging: rugged trail with tricky footing
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Easy to Challenging
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TYPE OF HIKE:
i.e. Loop, There & Back or Combination
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Loop with a There and Back as the extra.
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GENERAL ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Points of Interest and Special Notes
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We will enjoy the trails of Hidden Valley Park and the RBG following Grindstone Creek to see the spring rainbow trout. A nice up hill and a loop around Valley Inn Rd. and more of the RBG trails. After passing the cars we continue up Hidden Valley Rd. to join the Bruce Trail near the Grindstone Creek bridge and return.
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Other Specifics to Your Hike
i.e. social to follow hike
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Timmy’s stop afterwards
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REGISTRATION is required and opens 2 weeks prior to the hike.
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Up to 25 hikers may register.
Leaders appreciate early registration, but you can register at the last minute. Please join the waitlist if the hike is full.
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CANCELLATION
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• If your plans change, please self-cancel as soon as possible so that other HOC members may take your spot.
• The club may cancel due to bad weather that may impact the safety of participants or due to low attendance.
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WHAT TO BRING
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• Wear supportive hiking boots with good tread.
• Hiking poles will be helpful.
• Dress in layers according to weather; wear/bring waterproof rainwear.
• Bring snacks and enough water for the duration of the hike.
- Sun and bug protection as required
• Can be MUDDY! “Gators”.
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GUIDE
HIKE PACE - Pace refers to the speed of walking. Rest stops are not figured in to the overall pace, however they are figured in to the duration of the hike. These paces represent an average and may vary depending on the terrain, weather, group size, etc.
Leisurely: 3 km/hour or less.
Moderate: 3-4 km/hour
Fast: 4-5 km/hour.
TERRAIN – This refers to the footing on the trail itself and is influenced by the presence of rocks, roots, step-ups and step-downs, as well as the width of the trail. Please note variations can be expected with wet or icy conditions.
Easy: wide trails, may be paved or hard packed, mostly good footing, i.e. rail trails, waterfront trails
Moderate: some tricky footing, i.e. Bruce Trail, Dundas Valley, Conservation Areas, RBG trails
Challenging: significant areas of tricky footing (some parts of the Bruce Trail, some trails in Short Hills, up and down the escarpment).
ELEVATION: This refers to the accumulated elevation gained over the course of the hike.
Low: route is mostly flat but may include some gentle ups and downs
Moderate: route has hills, a few may be steep and/or long, but also some flat areas
Challenging: route has lots of hills, some of which are steep and long and few areas that are flat
Attention Non-Members: If you are thinking about becoming a member, The Halton Outdoor Club invites you to take part in up to two club activities as a Non-Member. After that, please join our club so we can welcome you as a member. Registration is required for all events, and you will have to agree to the waiver of participation when registering.
Attention Past Members: You are not entitled to two trial activities. Please renew your membership to take advantage of all that the Club has to offer.
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