Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Details:

What: Mono Cliffs - Winter Photohike
When: Sunday January 23, 2011
Time: 12PM (we will likely wait about 15 minutes before hiking into the park)
Where: Mono Cliffs parking lot on 3rd Line EHS
Cost; Provincial park fees - $10-12 paid at machine in parking lot
Bring: warm everything, camera/tripods/etc
Directions: Take hwy. 10 north from Orangeville to Mono Centre Rd. (Dufferin County Rd. 8 ), then go east eight km past the village of Mono Centre to the 3rd Line E.H.S. Go north one km on 3rd Line E.H.S. OR take Airport Rd. to Mono Centre Rd. (Dufferin County Rd. 8 ), then go west to 3rd Line E.H.S. North one km on 3rd Line E.H.S.

Approximate Travel Time is 1 hour and thirty minutes from either the Kipling Subway station or Yorkdale Mall. Goggle map estimate so allow extra time.

If you need a ride or if you can offer a ride post it and work it out.

Information:
Mono Cliff Provincial Park is located on part of the Niagara Escarpment and offers a number of different environments including hardwood forests, cedar woods, open fields, a small lake and a lookout point from the escarpment. Like many of the parks along escarpment the area was once farm land and old split rail fences and stone walls can be found. A number of trails loop through the park and the Bruce Trail runs through the centre.

The area has snow (as of Sunday January 9th). The trails are well stomped down and even off trail the snow was not deep. Snowshoes are not required, but may be brought if you wish. If we get any big snowfalls in the next week we can reevaluate the snowshoes.

After a few hours of wondering we can retreat to Orangeville for thawing, beering, and feeding.

I would like to do this, but I am fighting off a cold, so will wait until closer to the day to decide.

Are there multiple trails there, if so, do you have an idea which ones you plan on doing?

There are multiple trails that loop through the park. Some connect with other loops. As for which will be taken that will depend a lot on the day, weather and the people who show up. But we will not push too hard as we are there for photography not to count kilometers

If a lot of people show up we may try two separate groups so the more adventurous can take on the longer or steeper trails. While those less aggressive could take the valley trails.

Final call on which trail will be in the parking lot at the big map.

DG

Beautiful area, I used to MTN bike up there a couple times a month. I can't go though.

anything worth bringing a camera?

here's some early fall pics I took on the south loop if you want to know what the general area is like.

http://pbruch.dyndns.org/2010/2010_09_2 ... index.html

thanks

I guess I should have clarified a bit more. Was just curious if the highlights you pointed out in your initial post were available on all trails or if we'd have to hit up a few trails to get to all of it

I will be driving from 9 @ 400, so it's unlikely I can offer anyone a lift of substantial benefit.

No the different highlights do require combining different trails in most cases. The split rail and stone fences are along the main trail in from the parking lot. Most of the other items can be reached by combining loops. The lake is the hardest as it is furthest from the parking lot and is on its own loop.

You can find an old (and small) trail map here; http://www.thehillsofheadwaters.com/ear ... &keywords=

The trail names have changed recently, but still follow the same routes.

My favorite combination is to walk in from the parking lot on the Carriage Trail and then turn on to the South Outlier Trail. There is the choice of taking the west or east side paths on the outlier. Either way this trail goes to the trail junction of three trails. From the junction take the Cliff Top Trail past the pond and up through open areas into the hardwood forest and then along the old concession road to the lookout. Then continue along the Cliff Top Trail to where it meets the Spillway Trail which passes through an open area and past a small pond and then leads back to the Carriage Trail and back to the parking lot. This route will get you to all most all the highlights.

DG

DG

And something to consider. Car pooling. The fee is for parking so it is per car not per person. If people can car pool you save money.

DG

Thanks for the additional info DG, that really helps.

Since my cough is getting quite a bit better despite going to the Island last Sunday, I think I should be good to go to this event. I would like to carpool, though, since I don't enjoy winter driving.

I've been looking for other photomaniacs and I just found this great forum.
I'd like to come but I would need a ride since I do not have a car.
I live in downtown but I can be at any subway station.

wow, quite a crush on the poor lone driver. pity coz i was going to inquire about a ride for two as well. if seats appear, please let me know. otherwise, no biggie, see y'all elsewhere. ciao!

I should be able to offer a couple of rides if anyone needs them. I can pick up at Yorkdale Mall. (this is of course barring me doing something stupid on Saturday when I go snowboarding!)

Cheers,

Jordan

My wife and I will be coming from Barrie so that probably can,t help any one with a ride.

Reminder! Sunday is almost here.

Forecast looks OK. Mixed sun and cloud. Should be fresh snow. The area is under a snow squall warning for tonight. Calling for 5 cm tonight and up to 4 cm on Saturday. Cold through with the high forecast for -18 (probable wind chill as well). Dress warm.

DG

-18.... will a camera work?

yep, the lcd could be slow, but it works. Tested a rebel in -21

The camera should work. The batteries won't last as long, so make sure you bring all of your batteries (fully charged), and keep your spare batteries in an inner pocket where they can stay warm.

I have to withdraw from this event... it's way too cold for me. I was in Mansfield today and even if I was skiing I was freezing! I'll wait for more reasonable temperatures.

I have to withdraw from this event... it's way too cold for me. I was in Mansfield today and even though I was skiing I was freezing! I'll wait for more reasonable temperatures.

That's too bad. But getting out to shoot is about having fun, and if it isn't going to be fun then you made the right decision.

DG

And just for a bit of scary, I was in Algonquin today and it was -29C this morning. It did warm up to a balmy -16C.

I have no idea how those little bits of fluff chickadees stay alive. I lasted 30 minutes on the Spruce Bog Trail and headed for the car!

DG

PS tomorrow in Algonquin the wind chill forecast for tomorrow is -39C.

Did you use standard environmental testing procedures? You might have tested one but that is no guarantee they will work. The LCD may freeze below -20c and if it freezes then that's it for the lcd, also plastics will be brittle and any lubricants will be stiff so parts may possibly break when you fire the shutter or actuate the focus. Most of the consumer cameras including the Canon rebel line are only rated for use above 0C If you are going to use your camera in low temperatures best to keep it a bit warmer by carrying it in a bag with a heat pack.

Anyway with the wind chills in the mono hills area I would worry more about my face freezing then the camera not working.

Motherfrakker. Afternoon high of -18.

Is this a bad idea yet?

Have fun everyone. Just got home and don't think I can wake up in time to the meetup. Looking toward to see the nice shots from those who are going.

It is extremely cold right now in the Orangeville area. Temperature at 9:00 AM was -22 C. Wind chill is - 30 C, that's MINUS 30.

If you are not comfortable or confident you can be out in this temperature safely please do not hesitate to cancel.

Frostbite and hypothermia are real risks for those who are not prepared. Equipment will be affected by the cold.

I will be at Mono Cliff to meet those who are foolish or brave or have not seen this last minute post. For those who show up we will evaluate the situation on the ground and decide how far and how long we wish to go.

Daryl