25th September 2017

Nottawasaga Bluffs = 497km
The Blue Mountains

Today was our last day pack hike out of Thornbury, Beaver Valley & The Blue Mountains. It has been 7 days of just superb hiking. Our Host dropped us off just outside his normal range for shuttle services after we had dropped our car a yesterdays finishing point. We had decided due to other plans to walk South to North today as I had to return our Hire Car in the afternoon.

Our day started with some mist in the fields although it was still warm, very high humidity and high dew point. Then we were straight into probably the most challenging part of today’s hike, Devils Glen. Initially we thought it was fabulous as once again we were walking and some well maintained Cross-Country and snow shoe trails. Then we got the the point where Skiers were banned from continuing and Snow Shoe guys were warned “Most Difficult”. We were now into the the Glen proper, descending muddy slippery and rocky narrow trail. The South side of the valley has not dried out as it gets no sun. Finally we got down to the bridge and it was time to double back on the North side of the valley, yes it had dried out but the tree roots were highly trained Ninja Roots programmed to leap out in front any unsuspecting hiker’s foot. Finally out of the Glen we then had to tackle a difficult road crossing on a very busy corner of a very busy road.

Safely across the road there was a brief section of very unruly overgrown stuff and we emerged with our Skins/Gators just covered in big prickly burrs. The rest of the journey was now back into very cruisey open woodland hiking with minimal challenges. The biggest issue was a 3km section of open road in the sun that proved to be a bit energy sapping. Once through that we were into Nottaswaga Lookout Forrest where we chose to go off trail on a side trail to check out the Standing Rock and caves. It was well worth the change as this is the best crevasse / cave section we have been through so far. It was a spectacular rock scramble into, through and out of and also a beautiful cool spot to have our lunch.

Refreshments completed and feeling newly reenergised we took off to complete the last 5km of the day. Again just amazing hiking terrain with the last 1km along a fabulous strong flowing river through conifer forest. The water looked so tempting to strip off and skinny dip but we were pushed for time as I had to get the hire cat back, so we had to forego that little luxury.

Hiking over, it was time to get back to the B&B to clean up. Lari had a vanity stop booked in Thornbury and I had to drive to Collingwood to return our car. 

Car returned and Lari suitably coifed it was time for dinner then crash after a thoroughly enjoyable and invigorating but tiring day.