Kelso Conservation Area

“Can you just shimmy down on that ledge over there, lean over and lower down the camera as far as you can get it?” asked Rob as he looked up from about ten feet below, nestled in the gap between two enormous chunks of the Niagara Escarpment. Not to mention the fact that he was looking towards yet another deep dip in the rock with wide eyes and photographer’s finger twitch as he was without his camera. By nature, Rob is the kind of guy who is drawn to those hard-to-get to places. He’s often right beside me one minute and somewhere deep in a crevice, hanging from a tree or high up on a ledge before I realize what has happened. I think that’s why he loved our hike at Kelso so much!

Kelso Conservation Area is a rugged hiker’s ideal location– complete with cliff-edge hiking, hills, uneven terrain and forest trails that often double as biking trails. Despite the fact that it was a mild April afternoon, Kelso was bustling with groups of friends, families and couples alike– on foot, on bikes, with picnic gear in hand and with doggie companions in tow. Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre can be seen from Highway 401 on your way into or out of Milton, (depending on where you’re coming from) and overlaps with Kelso. It is also home to a beautiful lake that is full of trout and ideal for a cool swim in the summertime. If you’re so inclined, you can rent a kayak, paddle boat or sailboard from the Boat Shop. In addition to outdoor fun, there is a museum on-site.

We felt like little kids as we explored the Ski Resort, eyeing the lifts and specialized equipment that seemed slightly out of place in the absence of an abundance of snow. The Bruce Trail takes you winding through the forest on a steady incline up the Escarpment. If you go through the tunnel beside the ski centre, turn right and hike along the fence, you’ll find the Bruce Trail markers that will lead you to a trail called ‘Fire.’ Look up into the trees and you’ll see two tall

towers– or Limestone kilns. Along the trail, be sure to take in your surroundings. We were amazed at the size of the mushrooms jutting out from the trees (as big as my head!), the spunky squirrels that seemed just a little bigger than your average, and the fact that butterflies were already out and about. Though you’re in for a light cardio workout, you’ll be

rewarded at the top with a great view, a path that runs along cliff-edge and a few picnic areas overlooking the region.

Despite the balmy spring weather, some runs were still covered with the white stuff making it an interesting hike down to our starting point! Pausing at the top of the slopes, eyeing a nervous dog who wasn’t enjoying his steep decent down one of those runs that was still covered by a layer of crunchy snow, we were wondering about how the hike down would be for us!

We looked down in the other direction and were inspired by a German Shepherd that was doing uphill-downhill sprints in pursuit of an enormous stick. So we worked out a steep but winding route down and around the mounds of snow. It was all very nostalgic and reminded us of childhood adventures– we almost made a run for it down the hill!

Kelso is a truly fun area for those who want a versatile location with a variety of activities to choose from.

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