Outdoor Adventures

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hike-mount-nemo)** ***Mount Nemo, one of the most popular scenic spots in the GTA, offers breathtaking views of the Niagara Escarpment while being conveniently close to the city.*** Despite its proximity, the area feels beautifully removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life. As we hike along the ancient limestone formations that shape the escarpment, we’ll be on the lookout for *Eastern Cedars*, some of the oldest living trees in the world. This is a fun 7 km hike that's accessible but super interesting — you'll feel truly connected with the escarpment as you walk through cracks in the rock and alongside ancient forest that goes all the way to the cliff edge. On this hike you can expect: \- Ancient cedar trees \- Sweeping panoramic views \- Dramatic escarpment ridge formations \- Scramble up rocks & wooden ladders **Depending on snow levels we may be required to use snowshoes or ice spikes. We have a limited quantity available that you can grab at check-out. Ice spikes are free to borrow and snow shoes can be rented for a small fee.** **Highlights** **Scenic hike -** Walk through some of Ontario's oldest forests and enjoy the varied terrain and ecology. **Local mountain -** Only 45 minutes west of Toronto, Mount Nemo is the perfect accessible hike for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and people who want to just dip their toes in what Ontario nature has to offer. **Panoramic escarpment views -** Once at the top of Mount Nemo, enjoy some beautiful views. **Event cost: $40+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hike-mount-nemo)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Hello Bird Lovers! Spring is finally beginning to wake up across Ontario, and after a long winter, there is no better time to get back outside and enjoy the excitement of migration. This is one of the most rewarding times of year for birders, as winter holdovers mix with the first fresh arrivals of the season. Every outing in early spring brings the possibility of something special, and that sense of anticipation is exactly what makes this time of year so much fun. On this trip, we’ll head east of Toronto for a full day of spring birding, exploring a variety of productive stops with excellent chances to see both early migrants and lingering winter birds. We’ll be watching and listening carefully for the first signs of the new season, always alert for whatever may have arrived in the days leading up to our outing. Early spring birding can be wonderfully unpredictable, and that is part of the adventure. One of our key targets will be at Cobourg Harbour, where a rare Tufted Duck has been present. This is a very unusual bird for Ontario and a great opportunity to potentially see a true rarity much closer to home. While searching the harbour, we should also enjoy good numbers of other waterfowl along the waterfront, making this an exciting stop regardless of what turns up. Bald Eagles are also a major highlight of this outing, and we should have an excellent chance of seeing a few of these magnificent birds as we travel through the area. Other species we’ll be hoping for include early spring arrivals such as Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Eastern Phoebes, and possibly Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. We’ll also keep an eye out for some of the winter birds that may still be lingering before heading north, including American Tree Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Shrikes, and perhaps even Barred Owl. Red-tailed Hawks will also be active at this time of year, and with luck we may see pairs together as the breeding season begins. Whether you are a seasoned birder or just getting started, this outing is designed to be fun, welcoming, and full of discovery. With only **3 guest spots available**, this will be a small-group experience with lots of personal attention, a relaxed atmosphere, and a great chance to enjoy some of the best early spring birding east of Toronto. Join us for a day of fresh air, great birds, and the thrill of seeing spring return. **What to Expect** Included - **Transportation provided from Finch Station**. Prime viewing locations carefully selected for the best sightings Expert guidance to help you spot and appreciate key species Frequent stops for photography, observation, and a break for lunch (bring your own) or we stop at Tim Hortons. Please note that due to the migratory nature of these birds, each trip is unique, and conditions can vary. Our local knowledge ensures an exceptional experience. Spaces are limited, so sign up today and join us for a spring adventure like no other! **Itinerary:** * Depart Finch Subway Station at 9:00 a.m. sharp. * Head east of Toronto for a day of birding. * Return to Toronto by 4:00 p.m. **Price:** $99.00 plus tax for a total of 112.00 Dollars for my guiding services only. **Important Details:** * Payment through Paypal or direct e-transfer to [torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com](mailto:torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com) **Note:** Let us know right away if you'd like to join us on this spring adventure! Come get wild with us and embrace the wonders of spring!

🍽️ Breakfast Meetup Location: Saravaana Bhavan, Woodside Square Mall - McCowan Entrance, 1571 Sandhurst Cir Unit 153, Scarborough, ON M1V 1V2·3.8 km Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM What to expect: South Indian breakfast classics (dosas, idlis, vada, filter coffee) Easy conversation, no rush A relaxed start to the day — phones down, people present This is not a “grab-and-go.” This is a sit, savor, and connect kind of breakfast. 🚗 Transition Time 12:00 – 12:30 PM Wrap up breakfast Short drive to Rouge National Urban Park Carpool if possible (always boosts bonding points) 🥾 Nature Walk / Hike Location: Rouge National Urban Park Time: 12:30 – 2:00 PM (flexible) Hike details: Easy, beginner-friendly trails Forest paths, river views, fresh air Walk-and-talk pace — not a bootcamp What to bring: Comfortable shoes Water bottle icers Light layer (Rouge can feel cooler under the trees) Vibe: Grounded. Unhurried. The kind of walk where conversations deepen naturally — or silence feels just as good.

This event is sponsored by [Eckankar Canada in Ontario](https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/) **Attend online OR in person.** **In-person** **York University Glendon Campus, Centre of Excellence, York Hall A, Room YH A002, 2275 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M4N 3M6.** Please stay for light refreshments afterward. **Online by Zoom** [https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario](https://www.eckankarcanada.ca/ontario/zoom/) It will take you directly to the Ontario ECKANKAR page where you will find the Zoom link and call-in numbers. **Benefits** * learn to go inside yourself to discover the source of all Truth * meet a God-Realized spiritual teacher who also functions, by invitation, as an inner spiritual guide to help discover your own inner truth Spiritual teachers from an ancient lineage walk among us today—Adepts who have mastered the spiritual laws of life, embodying them in thought, word, and deed. Teachers of the highest order. These are the ECK Masters. Chief among them is the Mᴀʜᴀɴᴛᴀ, the Living ECK Master. As an inner and outer spiritual teacher, his role is to awaken the God-knowledge already within you. This discussion, following an earlier online and in-person ECK Light and Sound Service, features a pre-recorded talk by Sri Doug Kunin, the spiritual leader of Eckankar, followed by facilitated breakout discussions. *It’s the same eternal mission for every Living ECK Master: to awaken the God-knowledge already within the human heart. To help people become aware of who they really are – Soul, a unique, eternal, divine spark of God.* **\~ Sri Doug Kunin**, Spiritual Leader of Eckankar This series of discussions enables you to meet with like-minded and like-hearted spiritually oriented co-learners who want to raise their spiritual IQ, not only to access higher states of positivity and balance, but also to add tools to their spiritual toolkit that help them function with more love, grace and service in daily life. *Eckankar already has students in 120 countries. While many people may not know about us, we have a global presence. Eckankar is not here to convert anyone. We honour individual choice and belief. Do the ECK tools and techniques help you find truth? Only you can decide.* *But even as a wide variety of our digital communications are expanding Eckankar’s worldwide presence, it’s not about the quantity of people we reach, but the quality of connection.* *Eckankar is only as good as its ability to help people connect with the divine principle. Are we able to do that in a way anyone can understand and apply? That’s key.* **\~ Sri Doug Kunin,** Spiritual Leader of Eckankar These are free events; however, your donations are most gratefully received! You can leave your donation in the donation bowl on the table OR send your e-transfer donations, using online banking to: [[[provincialdonations8093@gmail.com](mailto:provincialdonations8093@gmail.com)]([mailto:provincialdonations8093@gmail.com](http://mailto:provincialdonations8093@gmail.com/))]([mailto:eckontdonations@gmail.com](http://mailto:eckontdonations@gmail.com/)). To learn more about **Eckankar, *the Path of Spiritual Freedom***, here are a few resources: · [Spiritual Adventure](https://www.eckankar.org/eck-soul-adventure-magazine) Magazine · [ECK Soul Adventure](https://www.eckankar.org/ebooklets) eBooklets · [HU ](http:/#huapp)App · [Eckankar Soul Adventure Podcast](https://www.eckankar.org/podcasts/) · [Discover Eckankar and Advanced Spiritual Living](https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001wdetsToXHUuR0qMb4Q6Jbn9NsVsjeGGv9-pv3zeN5OJIPvDhF1JBeIKusW1USqWw1Zp1ZaTnQ2RhVdFiFR40cVWLJP69hwDJ6gkdu5rdjrHK5ObZ_tis6cbANWZbNVk8wg0JtH1bJjx9dHaeOUj0-Q==&c=waEPfx7zdz0PenP4PzCIxF7D6_bctEUp7HtZ4PABLxdcfU32QqrKhA==&ch=9rbFp1H_WsWh30zsiD-UiviJOyeYlHNExu3S_FmLkW30Rt5s5OD87Q==) Video Graphics courtesy of [Eckankar](https://www.eckankar.org/), The Path of Spiritual Freedom

Come and join us for a walk through the PATH, Toronto's underground pedestrian walking network. We're doing something different while the forest trails start to transition from winter to summer. We will meet at Union Station in the Great Hall (see pic). We will make our way north to the Eaton Center. From there, we will head south, completing a loop as we make our way to The Old Spaghetti Factory ([https://www.osf.com/](https://www.osf.com/)) for a late lunch. We will make changes to the route in order for us to arrive at the restaurant on time (2pm). Plenty of breaks along the way and if you haven't attended one of our events before, come out and meet the group. The PATH is a mostly underground pedestrian walkway network in downtown Toronto that spans more than 30 kilometers of restaurants, shopping, services, and entertainment accommodating more than 200,000 business-day commuters as well as tourists and residents. For more information, visit: [https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/visitor-toronto/path-torontos-downtown-pedestrian-walkway](https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/visitor-toronto/path-torontos-downtown-pedestrian-walkway) **LEGAL DISCLAIMER AND LIABILITY INFORMATION:** By RSVP'ing and paying the event fee (if applicable), you are confirming that you have read, understand and accept the following: 1. GTA Hiking Meetup is a private group. Attending events is voluntary by you as a member. Participation in any activity with us is at your own risk. 2. By joining this event as a member you agree to indemnify and hold harmless its organizers, co-organizers, assistant organizers, event hosts, and other members from all claims or liability of every type (including court costs and legal fees) for injury or death to any person or for damage to property, loss of personal property or any other wrongful act arising out of or relating to your participation as a member. This agreement applies to you and to other persons (as your guests) who may accompany you in these endeavors. 3. You also agree to hold the organizers as well as other group members harmless. By participating voluntarily in the group, you expressly waive any and all such claims against each and every other member in the group, including without limitation any and all claims against the group organizer, co-organizers, assistant organizers, and event hosts.

This experience is designed for people who want to reconnect with their bodies and experience Santa Barbara beyond the surface 🌿🌊. Throughout the trip, I’ll be guiding yoga, breathwork, and meditation to help regulate your nervous system, build presence, and create space for clarity and connection 🧘‍♀️🌬️. We’ll explore some of the most special parts of the area together, including a trip to Channel Islands National Park 🏝️, where we’ll spend time in nature and let the landscape do some of the work for us. We’ll also soak in local hot springs, take a sunrise pier walk 🌅, and visit my favorite local yoga studio to experience the Santa Barbara yoga community. Evenings are intentionally simple and human: time to unwind, rest, and a guided discussion circle at a local café ☕ — focused on reflection, integration, and real conversation. We’ll be staying just a 4-minute walk from the beach, leaving plenty of room for spontaneous ocean time, morning walks, and space to breathe between activities. https://jmt.li/9GuDUP Link for more details Happy to connect more:) Please message me on here if you would like to go on a call!

Join us at our vegan-friendly social climbing session! We welcome all vegans, vegetarians, or anyone who is curious about the lifestyle and/or interested in eating more plant-based. No climbing experience is necessary. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time climber, all are welcome. We will be bouldering, top roping, and using autobelays - feel free to join whichever activity you're interested in! For those who are climbing for the first time, not to worry as it is quick to pick up and we are happy to provide some pointers on technique. You can boulder or use the autobelays after getting a quick orientation from the staff at the gym. For top roping, we're happy to belay any of our attendees. **Fees**: * $28 admission fee, plus rentals Climbing shoes are strongly recommended (disclaimer: rental shoes are not vegan as they contain suede/leather). Harnesses are only necessary for top roping and autobelay, however this gym is primarily a rope climbing gym. * Shoe rental: $7.00 * Harness rental: $7.00 Remember to sign the [waiver](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5f121ea156df1/web/) before you hit the rocks! You can sign the waiver online or in person once you arrive. Make sure to arrive at the Bloor location, there are multiple Basecamp locations! Happy climbing! 🧗‍♂️🌱 Note: Clean indoor shoes are allowed to be worn, however we highly recommend using climbing shoes otherwise your experience will be negatively impacted.

11.4 km, winter walk at 4 km per hour pace (or faster by consensus) through High Park. Saturday March 14, 2026, 1 PM to 5 PM. Meet at Don Mills Station. 1 PM to 2 PM: Eat in food court of Fairview Mall 2 PM to 5 PM Walk to Leslie station via Duncan Creek Trail Route Map with GPX download: https://www.komoot.com/tour/2774834909 Wear loose fitting winter clothing: coat, hat, gloves, snow pants, thick socks, waterproof thermal lined boots with non slip soles. If necessary put warmers in your gloves and boots. Bring water. Chris 647 453 3327

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **[torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com/)** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **[torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com/)** Parkdale has many faces. And over the years those faces have become sharper and clearer to residents and visitors alike. The tone has changed in Parkdale. And that is always a good thing. One of the main reasons why Toronto History Walks came into being was simply because the images of Parkdale at the time, 2019, seemed to convey a negative picture of the neighbourhood. Toronto residents wanted to avoid Parkdale at all costs based on assumptions. It was dangerous and better to avoid than explore. But those ideas have changed over the last several years. Parkdale is a great place to explore, have a cup of coffee or dinner and check out the arts and entertainment or take a stroll down a side street in one of the best preserved Victorian neighbourhoods in Toronto. Welcome to Toronto's first suburb, the floral suburb. And it truly is a remarkable place to get to know. What Parkdale needed most was understanding. And this walk provides the interested walker with that understanding of how Parkdale came to be, and why it had a rather sketchy history right from its inception in 1879. And it had to do more with the attitudes of the residents than reality. Attitudes that followed the growth of Parkdale to this very day. Parkdale just can't get free of its own legacy! From its beginnings in 1850 to the controversy surrounding the Gardiner Expressway, and the death of Sunnyside Amusement Park, the story of Parkdale unfolds, and it has a remarkable ability to climb out of depressed economic periods. This is a detailed exploration of the district. This tour begins at the southwest corner of King, Queen, and Roncesvalles, at the Polish memorial Katyn, just east of the Sunnyside pedestrian bridge across the street from the McDonald's. We wind our way through West Parkdale, and end the tour at the TTC stop for St. Joseph's Health Centre on the site of Sunnyside Villa! This 2 hour walking tour is for all walking levels. Please dress for the season, and hope to see you there. This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

**History** [Slate Run Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/slate-run/), located south of Canal Winchester in Pickaway County, has roots tracing back to the early planning efforts of the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District. In 1963, Metro Parks officials identified the land along Slate Run as having strong potential for a large metropolitan park due to its expansive acreage, diverse habitats, and natural features like the stream that gave the area its name. The largest stream in the vicinity, Slate Run, flows south to northwest through a ridge, providing a logical basis for the park's designation. Between 1964 and 1968, Metro Parks acquired approximately 1,662 acres through multiple parcels, including a key 212-acre farmstead that had been continuously operated since 1805. This acquisition phase positioned Slate Run as a future major addition to the system, following the openings of other parks like Sharon Woods in 1968 and Highbanks in 1973. The park officially opened to the public in 1981, marking it as the sixth Metro Park in the district and, at the time, the largest with its substantial land holdings. From the outset, Metro Parks envisioned incorporating a living historical farm to educate visitors about 19th-century Ohio agriculture. The focal 212-acre parcel, purchased from the White family heirs in 1964, included historic structures that made it ideal for this purpose. The park's development preserved natural areas such as grasslands, wetlands, meadows, and forests while integrating interpretive elements. Upon opening, Slate Run quickly became a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Central to the park's identity is the Slate Run Living Historical Farm, which interprets life on a typical Ohio farm in the 1880s. The gothic revival farmhouse on the site was constructed in 1856 by owner Isaac Fridley and later restored by Metro Parks for historical accuracy. Visitors can explore interiors like the living room, parlor, and kitchen, where interpreters demonstrate period activities. The multi-bay barn, built in 1881 by Samuel Oman (the fourth owner), was meticulously restored with help from Amish carpenters. Heirloom animals such as Percheron horses, pigs, geese, and turkeys inhabit the farm, enhancing the immersive experience. The historical farmstead reflects a long lineage of ownership and agricultural use dating back to the early 19th century. Continuous farming on the land since 1805 made the site authentic for recreating late-19th-century practices, including grain harvesting and animal husbandry. Metro Parks focused on authenticity by restoring original buildings and introducing period-appropriate methods, such as horse-powered threshing machines from the late 1880s. The farm operates with volunteers and staff in period attire to portray daily rural life. This educational component has drawn school groups and families for decades. Today, Slate Run Metro Park spans about 1,705 acres and attracts roughly 250,000 visitors annually for its blend of natural preservation and historical interpretation. The park maintains diverse habitats supporting wildlife like nesting sandhill cranes and reintroduced northern bobwhite quail. Trails and open spaces offer opportunities for hiking and observation amid the preserved landscapes. The Living Historical Farm remains a crown jewel, continuing to teach about Ohio's agricultural heritage. Ongoing programs and restorations ensure the site's relevance for future generations. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Slate Run](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SLR-parkmap@2x.gif). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Five Oaks, Sugar Maple, Covered Bridge, Shagbark, and Lake Trails. This will be around 4.5 to 5 miles. While Slate Run is moderately strenuous in a few places, it's generally a good place to hike and doesn't seem to wear people out. Some spots on the hike are unshaded, though, so be prepared for the possibility of some sun. I find Slate Run to be very underappreciated for the quality of its hiking. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet at the [Shady Grove Picnic Area](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B045'30.1%22N+82%C2%B050'13.2%22W/@39.758347,-82.83701,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d39.758347!4d-82.83701?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). You can use the map pin I've provided here; it's accurate. There's a latrine at Shady Grove, but there is no running water (no water fountains). We will pass a water fountain when we get to the Buzzard's Roost Picnic Area, although I can't guarantee this fountain won't be off for the winter. I'd recommend bringing some water just in case, at least for after the hike. I'd also recommend [hiking shoes](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D972KN3W) for this park. **After the Hike** Once we're finished at Slate Run, we'll head over to [Loose Rail Brewing](https://looserailbrewing.com/) for [drinks](https://looserailbrewing.com/canal-winchester-canal-winchester-loose-rail-brewing-drink-menu) and [food](https://looserailbrewing.com/canal-winchester-canal-winchester-loose-rail-brewing-food-menu). The brewery's actual address is [37 W Waterloo St, Canal Winchester, OH 43110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/37+W+Waterloo+St,+Canal+Winchester,+OH+43110/@39.8432511,-82.8071032,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88387be3ac496d83:0x23e8ee9d9391dd6b!8m2!3d39.8432511!4d-82.8071032!16s%2Fg%2F11cp8n8x1j?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's about 10-12 minutes from Slate Run. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Hike approx 4.0 miles at approx. 18 minute mile pace. Meet in front of the Nature Center.

Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. If trail conditions are poor, we will use the Multipurpose Path.

Hike approx 4.0 miles at approx. 18 minute mile pace. Meet in front of the Nature Center.

Hike approx 4.0 miles at approx. 18 minute mile pace. Meet in front of the Nature Center.