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• Arboretum Wednesday Noon Hour Walks

  • Start
    21 Feb 2024
  •  
  • End
    4 Dec 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    42 sessions
  • Location
    University of Guelph Arboretum

   Arboretum Wednesday Noon Walk is held every Wednesday throughout the year.
  

  Wednesday Noon Walks:

  

  Nature is known to be unpredictable and unexpected, so what awaits us today? Christa, The Arboretum's Naturalist Intern, will be leading 1 hour long walks every Wednesday. Walks start at The Arboretum kiosk at the Campus entrance to the Arboretum at 12:15pm, every Wednesday.

  For more information contact Christa at arb.naturalist@uoguelph.ca or ext. 53615.

  Please note that the hike may be cancelled if there is inclement weather. Cancellations are posted on the Arboretum's social media pages @uogarboretum on Instagram and Facebook.

   Difficulty: easy, slow speed

  
  

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• Radial Line Trail Section 6

  • When
    15 May 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Registered
    10 registrants

  Register

  Meet for a carpool departure at 9:00 am at the Covered Bridge in Guelph

  or 9:30 am at trailhead at 6th Line Nassagaweya and Pineredge Dr. , near the scout camp. Parking is across from 5120 Pineridge, Milton (past mailboxes)

  RLT Section 6 is an out and back.  The trailhead is across 6th Line opposite the Pineridge intersection.  We’ll follow the orange blazes through scrubby meadows and woodlands. The trail rises steeply to “Kong Hill” lookout.  It was not named after King Kong ,  but rather a former landowner. The trail descends into a coniferous plantation, then off the logging trail and through hardwoods with uneven rocky footing.  It emerges onto the abandoned rail bed, turns right and winds through rocky terrain, eventually ending at Dublin Line, which is the turn around spot (and time for a break and snack).

  Level 2 Hike (uneven terrain & some hills), Moderate Pace
  Distance:  9k,  approximately 2 hours
   
  Please pack water, snacks, wear hiking boots/shoes, hiking poles recommended, bring insect repellent and/or bug jacket, layered clothing for the weather and no dogs please.

  
    Hike Leaders:  Marie Burland   burlandmc@gmail.com
                               Vanessa Hyland   kathleenvhyland@gmail.com
   

  Please contact Vanessa if you want to carpool and Marie if you are going to meet at the trailhead.

  For those looking for a challenge, we can add a hike on Section 5 of the RLT, approximately 10k and 2 hours (Fast pace).  This section runs between 6th Line and 4th Line, includes an impressive boardwalk, snakes through a swampy area and travels through a cedar forest, skirting both the Blue Heron Scout Reserve and Blue Springs Scout Camp.

  
  
  

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• Thursday Morning Arkell Springs Hike

  • When
    16 May 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Thursday Morning  Arkell Springs Hike 

  Meeting Location: Meeting point at the trail head on Watson Rd. Parking along Watson Rd North of Arkell Rd, South of Stone Rd (Gate C) 

  https://maps.app.goo.gl/VPZKAjjcvPtD2RFx5?g_st=ic

  Hiking time approx 2-2.5hrs 

  9-10km Loop 

  Let’s get out before the bugs make their appearance! We will hike starting from Watson Rd into Arkell Springs and follow Section 2 and 3 of the Radial Line Trail, the Arkell Springs and David Hull side trails. These trails will take us through forests, along ridges, meadows, and down into the valley. 

  Pace - Moderate-Brisk 

  Difficulty- Level 2+

  approximately 2-2.5 hours

  Trail - uneven dirt packed with areas of rocks, roots, and possibly mud. The Arkell Springs side trail is an up and down section and there are a few steep inclines. 

  Required - hiking shoes, dress for the weather 

  Recommended - water, snack, hat, bug spray, sunscreen

  Optional - poles

  A good level of fitness and cardio endurance is required to complete this hike in the allotted time. 

  Hike Leader 

  Melissa Anstey

  melissaanstey@icloud.com

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• Musselman Woods / Schneider’s Bush Trail “There and Back Again”

  • When
    18 May 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Registered
    4 registrants

  Register

  
  Musselman Woods / Schneider’s Bush Trail

  “There and Back Again”

  When: 18 May 2024, 10am to 1pm

  Where: past 1296 Karmel Koch Rd, Wilmot Twp

  Meeting Location:  Meet at 10am  at the trail entrance, about 20m past a gray house at #1296.

                There is limited parking, so carpool if you can.

                Our walk will be about 9km.

  Please note that, in addition to regular trail use rules, no dogs are allowed.

  I recommend sturdy hiking shoes and hiking poles.

  The terrain is moderate with some steep parts. Our speed will be moderate with opportunities to stop to admire wildflowers (I hope) and scenic views.

  The trail winds through forest, pine plantations, and fields.  We will walk to the end at Wilmot Line, and then return by a somewhat different route.

  Just a reminder that this is private land, the use of which is donated by generous landowners. 

  You may bring a lunch if you wish (do bring water). OR you may wish to make a day of it at the box stores at The Boardwalk on Ira Needles Blvd where there are a number of fine restaurants. OR you may wish to join me for lunch at Almadina’s which serves Egyptian and middle eastern food.

  If you have questions or need directions or would like to join me for lunch at Almadina’s, you can reach me at 519-505-0008 or sheilaandharrye7@gmail.com.

  Happy Hiking, 

  Harry Edgar

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• Ignatius Jesuit Centre Beaver Walk

  • When
    19 May 2024
  •  
    2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Ignatius Jesuit Centre
  • Spaces left
    0
  • Registered
    10 registrants

  Registration is closed

   All welcome, limit of 10

  Join Cedar Circles (Cedar Circles is a monthly gathering at Loyola House. Sunday afternoons are opportunities to explore the connections between nature, individuals, and community) on this walk along Marden Creek on the beautiful Ignatius property. We will have discussions on this interpretive walk to learn about beavers and how they are nature's ecological restoration experts! We’ll visit beaver sites along the trail and learn about how this keystone species supports biodiversity and water conservation.  There will be a surprise along the way!!  By the end, you’ll have an understanding of beaver biology, behaviours, and ecosystem services!

  Meet at 2:30 pm at the Loyola House parking lot at Ignatius.

   1.5 hrs. Level 2. Speed slow. Approx. 1 km

  Leader: Julianna Van Adrichem, julianna@promosaurus.ca. 519-230-9591.

  
  
  

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• Ignatius Old Growth Forest - Mindfulness Walk

  • When
    2 Jun 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Ignatius Jesuit Centre
  • Spaces left
    9
  • Registered
    6 registrants

  Register

  All welcome, limit of 15.

   Join Julianna Van Adrichem, Conservation Communicator and Yoga Therapist, Jessica Sgrignoli of Journey to Wholeness for a slow paced, mindfulness walk integrating simple yoga movements - to ground, connect and restore. 

  Mindfulness walks are a unique way to discover fresh perspectives through a series of sensory-oriented invitations that nourish a deep connection with and appreciation for the natural world, all while calming the mind and body.   

  Meet at 2:00 pm at the parking lot, end of the dirt road, last right (east side #6 Hwy) heading north from Guelph before the bridge over Marden Creek. Try to carpool so that parking is less difficult!

   2 hrs. Level 2. Speed moderate/slow. Approx 5 km

  Leader: Julianna Van Adrichem, julianna@promosaurus.ca. 519-230-9591.

   

  
  

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• Photo Event – Andy Goldsworthy Nature Sculpture Event

  • When
    22 Jun 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    U of G Arboretum Centre, 200 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, ON
  • Registered
    3 registrants

  Register

  Meet at Large Triangular Pavilion between U of G Arboretum Center and the main parking lots for the Arboretum. 

  Andy Goldsworthy is a British nature sculpture artist and photographer who only uses natural materials. Once he is finished a nature sculpture, he takes a photo of it and lets it return to nature. We’ll be doing the same thing, working individually or in small groups, according to the preferences of the participants.

  Keeping in mind respect for nature, the individuals and small teams will find a place that sparks their interest, and create a sculpture in that place, that works in harmony with it, using only materials that they find in the area. (Remember not to damage any living plants, etc.).

  We will start by reviewing the Seven Elements of Design and looking at some examples of Andy Goldsworthy's work to help stimulate ideas for the creation of our sculptures, remembering to be playful and to experiment for greater impact.

  Once the “sculptures” are complete then the individual or team will put our photographic skills to work to take a picture which will be the permanent record, as the nature sculpture will be left to return to a natural state.

  Based on the experiences of thousands of students who have created their own Nature Sculptures participants can be assured of a most enjoyable experience and a great picture to share.

  2-2.5 hrs / Level 1. Easy pace 

  Contact: Bob Fanning 519 822-5181 or fanbobam@gmail.com

  ( Note that this will be an active afternoon, but not a hike in the sense of going from A to B)

  
  

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• Blue Jays Bus Hike

  • When
    28 Jul 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Spaces left
    28
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Hike start time: 9 AM; Meet at Covered Bridge Parking Lot near 114 Gordon Street, Guelph; Board coach bus headed for Toronto

  Hike end time: Hike takes place 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM ending at the Rogers Centre; Bus will have us home by 7 PM in Guelph following conclusion of the Toronto Blue Jays game.

  Members only: Member exclusive sign-up until May 15^th; Open to public after.

  Limit number of hikers: 32 is maximum hikers allowed; Only 32 spots on the bus for hikers.

  Hike description GHTC is excited to invite you to our first-ever Blue Jays Bus Hike!  This is a GHTC fundraising event that we hope becomes an annual tradition for our club!

  Join us for a unique experience that combines hiking with seeing the Toronto Blue Jays take on the defending World Series champion, Texas Rangers, at the newly renovated Rogers Centre!  Hikers will have two different hike-types from which to choose.  Hike # 1 drop-off location will be at the Humber Bay Bridge in Etobicoke.  Hike # 1 is ~7.5 km in length; moving at 4 km/hour pace along Toronto’s boardwalk adjacent to the waterfront.  Hike # 2 drop-off location is the Exhibition Place Wind Turbine.  Hike # 2 is ~3.4 km in length; moving at 2 km/hour pace along Toronto’s boardwalk adjacent to the waterfront.  Both hikes offer beautiful views of Lake Ontario and Toronto’s skyline as we approach the Rogers Centre by foot.  Once at the Rogers Centre, hikers will be able to offload any gear inside of our bus and then proceed into the Rogers Centre to take in the Blue Jays game!

  Cost for GHTC Members:  $185 + HST/Person ($209.05 Total/Person)

  Cost for Non-Members: $225 + HST/Person ($254.25 Total/Person)

  The deadline to sign up is Friday, June 28^th at 12 PM

   Your registration fee includes:

  ·         Roundtrip coach bus transportation from Guelph to the Rogers Centre

  ·         One premium Blue Jay ticket to the game (Section 214 along first-base line)

   This event will be offered exclusively to GHTC members and up to one guest until May 15^th.  After that, we will open this event up to the public.

   Payments can be made by Interac E-transfer, cash, or cheque.  As this is a fundraising event, we will not accept credit card nor PayPal. Your spot is not confirmed until payment has been made in full and receipt has been issued. 

   Upon registration, GHTC will contact you to arrange for billing and payment.  By registering for this event online, you agree to pay the above amounts in full upon receipt. There are NO REFUNDS for this event.  This event will be taking place, rain or shine.

   Spaces are limited so be sure to reserve your spot today!    

   What to bring:  bagged lunch (if you wish), water, bug repellent, sunscreen, weather-appropriate attire, hat, sunglasses, athletic or hiking shoes; backpack

  Hike Rating

  Hike Option 1:  2 hrs; Level 3; Experienced hikers only; 4-5 km/hr pacing.

  Hike Option 2:  2 hrs; Level 1; Leisurely hike; 2 km/hr pacing.

  Leader contact info: Colin McCusker, colin_mccusker@yahoo.com; 647-527-6271

  Email hike information and hike cancellation requests to colin_mccusker@yahoo.com; 647-527-6271

  
  

  
  

   

  
  

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