Old Colony Road to Bond Lake

Bond Lake is a 55-acre, spring fed lake, just north of Richmond Hill. Perhaps its location has been the key to the various uses the lake and surrounding lands have had over the years. From the earliest days, Bond Lake was used for recreational purposes and the first settlers in the area used the lake for fishing, swimming and boating in the summer and curling in the winter.

The Metropolitan Railway extended north from Richmond Hill in 1899 and built an electric generating station at Bond Lake to supply the line north of there with power. The fact that the lake was already in use for leisure activities led the Metropolitan Street Railway to buy the 200-acre farm around the lake hoping to carry tourists there.

The hike and is rated intermediate and is about 14km long. Due to erosion, some areas are slanted with exposed tree roots near the edges and other areas have fallen into the lake. Bring your hiking poles!

Visit our Facebook page Hockley Valley Hiking, view the albums and see our previous adventures. Your image may appear on either Facebook or Meetup, please advise if you object to it being posted or it will be assumed that you’ve given full consent.

Membership Fee
Starting January 04th, 2025, participating members will be asked to contribute an annual fee of $8.00; you will be allowed to bring one guest for free to each event. This is to help cover Meetup’s annual subscription fee.
New members are allowed to attend their first event for free before committing to an annual membership. The fee is non-refundable and is only required when you RSVP.

From the first significant snowfall until the ground clears up again in the spring, MICROspikes are absolutely mandatory. I will have everyone show them to me during circle introduction time before the hike. If you don't have a suitable pair either on your boots or in your pack, you will not be permitted to hike with us. Sorry, no exceptions!!

Arrive at the meeting location by 09:15hrs so that we can depart at 09:30hrs. Do not wait until the morning of the event to determine exactly where to meet. We will wait for an additional 5 minutes and then start the hike without you; we will not wait around indefinitely.

Before you RSVP, please note:

• Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
• Events are limited to 25 hikers unless specified otherwise.
• 'RSVP time' determines how names are moved to 'Going'.
• We casually stroll along the route making frequent stops.
• For the adventure, sometimes we deviate from the original trail.
• New members must post a recognizable picture of yourself, or your name will be removed from the 'Going' list.
• If you can no longer attend an event, immediately change your RSVP to 'Not going' to make room for others who are on the wait list.
• Do not attend this event if you are on the ‘Waitlist’, you MUST have an RSVP.
• If you selfishly take a hiking spot and then do not show up, you will be noted as a no-show.
• Your membership is subject to termination if you no-show for an event with a wait list or after 3 incidents of no-show.

What to bring:

• Microspikes.
• At least one litre of water and munchies to eat on the trail.
• Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, dress for the elements (in layers).
• Hiking poles for balance and stability, gaiters if you have them.
• Lots of enthusiasm, a very positive attitude and a camera/phone.

By attending this event all participants accept waiver of liability as follows:
I am responsible for my own safety and acknowledge the risk involved. I am participating voluntarily and the risks involved are beyond the control of event organizer and the group. Additionally, I do not have any conditions that will increase my likelihood of experiencing injuries while engaging in this activity.

The organizer reserves the right to remove any member who does not meet the group's requirements, or who exhibits behavior that is disrespectful or detrimental to the interests and safety of the group.

The trick to not getting separated from the group is to make sure the hiker ahead of you is always within sight.

Be respectful of the environment. Take out your garbage and your pictures with you, but leave everything else behind for others to enjoy.

Happy hiking!