Old Colony Road to Swan Lake

Swan Lake is a natural Kettle Lake. Kettles are fluvioglacial landforms occurring as the result of blocks of ice calving from the front of a receding glacier and becoming partially to wholly buried by glacial outwash, generated when streams of meltwater flow away from the glacier and deposit sediment to form broad outwash plains called sandurs. When the ice blocks melt, kettle holes are left in the sandur. Kettle holes can also occur in ridge shaped deposits of loose rock fragments called till. If the kettle is fed by surface or underground rivers or streams, it becomes a kettle lake.

We will hike south along the Oak Ridges trail, then east on the Gravel Cut Trail which takes us through the Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve. From there we continue southeast through Jefferson Forrest and finally north towards Swan Lake where we will have lunch. After lunch we will hike along several winding trails and eventually west to the parking lot.

The hike and is rated intermediate and is about 14km long. There is at least one challenging hill along the trail.

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!