84
Escarpment Magaz ine
fal l
2011
escarpment
excursions
sectioning the bruce
STANDING ROCK
Fall
engages the senses more than any other season — tapestries of colour captivate your
sight, crunching leaves resonate in your ears and crisp air chills your skin carrying with it the
unmistakable whiffs of autumn. Tantalizing tastes of the season are in evidence everywhere—
wild apple and pear trees, puffballs and wild morel mushrooms, and of course the seasonal
snack you brought along, found at the local farm stand. This fall we’ve selected a section of the
Bruce Trail that is sure to electrify your senses and leave you with a renewed appreciation for
the awesome splendour that awaits along our portion of the Niagara Escarpment, UNESCO
World Biosphere Reserve.
The Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Nature Reserve is situated on the Southern slope of the
Pretty River Valley and wraps around to face East towards Collingwood and Stayner. The main
tract of the Bruce Trail traverses the rugged ridgeline before descending into the Pretty River
Valley, while the “Standing Rock & Caves Side Trail” plunges into ancient crevices and winds
its way through the brightly coloured deciduous trees that cling to the base of the steep cliff face.
The easiest way to get there from Blue Mountain is to follow Grey Road 19 through the round-
a-bout and continue on 19 as it turns right at the lights onto Osler Bluff Road. FollowOsler Bluff
Road to Poplar Side Road and turn left. Then turn right at the first stop sign, onto the 10
th
Con-
cession. This road climbs up the Escarpment and becomes a gravel road about half way up.
After a short distance up the gravel climb, look for the 26/27 Sideroad on your right. It’s easy
to miss the single lane dirt road, so keep your eyes peeled. Follow this road to the stop sign and
turn right on Osprey/Clearview Townline. The parking area is only a short distance down the
road, and the sign for the Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Park will be straight in front of you,
with the trailhead to its right. (Coordinates N44.4038,W80.2637)