The Rideau Trail 2018 End-to-End Hikes: 7. Skycroft Access Trail (06A) to Bedford Mills Anglican Church (06D-)

Sun. 27 May: 

The Rideau Trail 2018 End-to-End Hikes: 

7. Skycroft Access Trail (06A) to Bedford Mills Anglican Church (06D-)

Note: click on pictures for full size view.

We were expecting heavy thunder-showers.  Instead the eleven hikers were treated to ideal hiking weather as we moved another fourteen kilometres along the Rideau Trail towards Ottawa. 

Our first stop was at the Bonwill Shelter, built over thirty years ago by RTA volunteers and still in excellent shape.  Here we signed the only hikers logbook on the entire Rideau Trail, and celebrated our joint hike leader’s birthday.

Two exciting finds along the Cataraqui Trail (depending on your passions):  yellow lady’s slipper orchids, and a lost rail spike!  This author’s passion sways more towards the latter.

A well-matched hiking team, ably led, great conversation – it was all over too soon.

Luckily we have plenty of ground still to cover.

We accessed the trail on the Skycroft Access blue trail

Arriving at the main trail after 400m

The celebrated Bonwill Shelter

Birthday milestone for our joint hike leader

The only hikers log book on the Rideau Trail...

... and its new critter-free (we hope) container

Skycroft trails

Scenic walking

Popping out onto the Cataraqui Trail

Lost spike!

Leaving the Cataraqui Trail heading northwards

An unlisted blue side trail to the 'mountain' top

Exciting section of trail over a high point and down the other side...

... leading  to a farm track...

Then to Massassauga Road

We rescued this turtle from the middle of the road

Fast pace along Massassauga Road...

...approaching Bedford Mills

End of hike - the Anglican Church (now closed)