Once we made it across that little valley and up the other side, the most interesting part of the hike was over, but the rest was a (long) pleasant walk. It was just a flat trail along the outer edge of the plateau, just above the long slope of the escarpment. You could still see the bay through the trees.
This is a Google Maps image of the Loree Forest area. You can see ski hills to the north and east, a subdivision and farm fields to the west. And of course Georgian Bay is the deep blue to the north. The orange areas are the Sugar Maple forests of the escarpment slopes. The Loree Forest is the green area right in the lower centre of the photo.
As we headed around the trail we could see the blue of the bay through the trees.
The trail was simply a path along the flat land at the top of the slope, very pleasant walking.
During the previous month there had been a serious landslide on the slopes of the Peaks Ski Club. We were expecting this, but had to go carefully to avoid the mud. This is where a temporary truck road crossed the trail.
There's an old 'road' through the woods which they were using to bring trucks in. But at one point we were able to look down on the chairlifts.
From then on it was a nice trail through the woods, until we finally reached the home of my hiking buddy, who lives nearby. This is the area, with its extensive forests, where a cougar made its home a few years ago.
I just love the woods, even in winter. Those bare branches speak to me!
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