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sYdenhaM
s i l e nt va l l e y n at u re r e s e r ve
John Muir once said; “In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks”.
This statement is quietly echoed every time I hike in Silent Valley. On every hike I am
rewarded with evidence of prehistoric life recorded in the valley’s rich fossils. I am
intrigued with the mystery of what caused the sculpturing of the massive boulders
found there; what caused the huge rocks on the talus slope to just stop their fall, and
freeze in suspended animation. I walk among the remains of the early settlers’ ruins
and I am left with the tranquility, the wonder and the warmth of being in a place that
welcomes my presence.
– ron savage
suGGesTed hIKe:
Photo: Ron Savage
Several side trails crisscross Silent Valley, one of the
BTC’s newest Nature Reserves. This looping route takes
in the Silent Valley Side Trail, Wilson Homestead Side
Trail and main Trail. From the end of 2nd Concession
S, follow the blue-blazed Silent Valley Side Trail past a
beaver pond, through a pine forest plantation, and
past the intersection with the Avalanche Pass Side
Trail. In another 290 m turn left (southwest) on the
Wilson Homestead Side Trail to visit the ruins of the
first settlers to live on this land. Keep your eyes peeled
for a hand dug well lined with stones and the foundations of a home. After crossing a stream, the foundations of a huge barn can be seen. Past the barn foundations, the trail continues south to an aircraft crash
site of a Cessna 205. In 1970 this crash tragically took
the lives of four people. The trail continues around a
lovely meadow, through a wetland, and up the somewhat strenuous climb to the top of the Escarpment
and the main Bruce Trail. Turn right (northeast) on the
white-blazed main Trail and in roughly 100 m you will
pass the deepest
crevice in the
Sydenham section of
the trail (stay on the
Trail and do NOT
approach the crevice.).
Continue along the
main Trail until it
reaches which Silent
Valley Side Trail.
Follow the Silent
Valley Side Trail back
to your starting point.
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BruCe TraiL Magazine
BruCe TraIL
reFerenCe:
Map 30
d I s Ta n C e :
5.2 km
pa r K I n G :
2nd Concession s,
Meaford (Bognar)
44.555691, -80.750767
dIreCTIons:
1. From Owen Sound, take Hwy
26 east for 15 km to grey
County rd 18.
2. Turn right (south) on grey
County rd and continue on it
as it makes a sharp turn to the
west.
3. Turn right (north) on 2nd
Concession S and park at the
end of the maintained section
of the road.
S P r i n g 2016