Out & About #1050 | Albion Hills Conservation Area (Autumn Edition)

​My past visits spanned two different occasions in entirely different seasons with different people. Yet, my recollection of Albion Hills is foggier than any other hiking destination.

​​The first was during the peak of the pandemic, when mandatory masks was in place and eating in the car was the norm. Perhaps the experience was even hazier given the combined effects of an intense makgeolli hangover - my first hangover ever! - and 40 degree weather

The second took place in the wintertime, again during COVID times. From what I could recall, we spent a decent amount of time roaming snowy trails and interacting with barren trees and logs on the sidelines. Conditions weren't particularly chilly, though the handful of downward descents always had me fretting over the potential of accidental trips and falls.

​​It dawned on me that, despite having visited the conservation area during Ontario's most extreme seasons, I hadn't undertaken the trails during the most forgiving time of fall. My CVC Pass was due to be returned imminently, thus I resorted to my second solo hike of the season. Alas, this would be a proper one.

Albion Hills was a mere few minutes away from Palgrave, so it was surprising when Google Maps led me to the 401 then the 427 instead of 410 and local roads. Driving about the Pearson area is never pleasant, especially with the substantial volume of commercial vehicles and construction-induced lane restrictions/closures. That said, I was admittedly enthralled to learn that the 427 now featured an HOV lane and extended up to Major Mackenzie Drive. I believed the highway had previously terminated at Hwy 27, forcing traffic onto dreadfully narrow local streets.

​Tim Hortons in the Bolton BIA would assume my first stop of the day. Though the parking lot could have used more critical design thinking to facilitate inbound and outbound flows, the Canadian coffee franchise nestled amidst the chaos did not disappoint. Washrooms were clean, adequately stocked with toilet paper, and a faucet featuring a push knob instead of the finnicky automatic senser.
This location did not stock holiday merchandise, but featured a highly efficient team. My Mobile Order of Assorted Timbits box was slid across the Mobile Pickup station within seconds of ordering. Frankly, I had wished for nothing more than a handful of Old Fashion Plain, however the app did not enable addition of comments. Received was a well-rounded mixture of Toasted Coconut (definitely a new fave!), classics of Chocolate Glazed and Honey Dip, and excessively cloying Birthday Cake and Sour Cream Glazed.

​Reservations had initially surfaced towards leaving my backpack in plain sight while venturing within. Kind gestures, such as smiles and door-holding, from those entering and exiting the franchise before me dismissed those qualms shortly afterwards.

​Albion Hills Conservation Area was 10 kilometres away - the equivalent of eleven minutes of driving at 11 AM.

​Entry into the park was a seamless process: the CVC pass was scanned and I was ushered inwards without a moment's hesitation from the gatehouse staff. Unlike Belfountain, there would be no time limit imposed. That said, the Conservation Park was slated to close at 5 PM, which coincided with sundown anyway.

The winding internal roads were no easy feat to maneuver, which prompted heavy reliance on posted signage. I continued in the direction that noted "Trail Access", until reaching a parking area with just one other vehicle at the opposite end of the gravel lot. My decision had been founded on the presence of a trailhead marker. I later learned that opting to park near the Pool & Splashpad enabled a visual marker for my trek later.

Although the trail map was remarkably comprehensive in consolidating both the hiking and bike trail network on the same image, the amount of information was slightly overwhelming at first glance. Icons indicating the presence of picnic areas were wholly valid; in contrast, washroom icons led to disappointing discoveries of locked outhouses with rusted doors.

After meandering along the perimeter the now-vacant pool building, I eventually found my way to Post No. 31. There, I'd embark on the Blue Trail, being mindful to adhere to the coloured trails instead of venturing onto the comparatively narrower Single Track Bike Trails out of curiosity. Nevertheless, vigilance was required at all times, for mountain biking was permitted on all trails within the park.​

​Crunchy leaves and moderate elevation differences characterized the hike. While the most breathtaking sceneries of fall foliage were behind us, late autumn views exhibited a grandeur of their own. A variety of leaves were observed, ranging from giant yellow maples, oak leaves with Swiss cheese-style cavities, murky, dark purple buds, and even a lone deciduous tree sporting some green maples.

Nearing the a four-way hiking-biking crossing, a soiled pink specimen was spotted on top of a post marker.

Upon closer inspection,  the article was a pink and white Velcro monkey, one that was seemingly once loved with even a special hairdo.

View the full album HERE !

​In perusing the grounds, there appeared to be much more signage than I recalled. This was consistent with the upgrades undertaken at other hiking destinations, for extensive signage beyond paint on trees was previously unheard of/uncommon before the pandemic.

​The late morning hike was exceptionally tranquil. Throughout my two-hour-ish stay, I chanced across no more than 10 fellow hikers and 6 bikers (mostly terrain bikes and two e-bikes). It is worth noting that, with the exception of the e-bike users, all cyclists were careful to use their bell as a warning indicator to hikers.

​Unknown to me at the time of entry was the one-way format of all trails on site. The original plan had been to explore sections of the Blue and Red Trail west of the parking lot, forming my own loop back to the point of commencement. Arrows on the trail map and signage physically present on site served to outline a different path, one to which I readily adhered while making mental notes of the estimated time additions.
The pre-determined one-way paths formed interesting loops about the conservation area, though prevented visitors from undertaking their desired path. I presumed this was to prevent collisions with motorized bikes using the area in parallel. 

As noted earlier, picnic areas were abundance, yet not a single washroom in their vicinity was available for use. Around the 90-minute mark, I reached Post No. 1 and the Chalet building. This was the only facility with unlocked doors and indoor plumbing. Thank goodness!

With this knowledge in mind, one is advised to plan accordingly: starting the hike away from the Chalet and gradually drawing near the Chalet as a halfway checkpoint for washroom relief. I do not believe I could continue the adventure without this stopover otherwise, not enjoyably anyway.

In the latter half of the hike, I was faced with another obstacle: Hunger. The sensation was not entirely evident until persistent growling began to overtake the nature sounds around me. Slightly feebleness could be felt in the lower limbs, causing me to adopt the Blue Trail after Post No. 13 for a swifter return. The distance between Post No. 16 and No. 26 was shorter - and easier/flatter - than excepted; the gravel lot came into view within seconds. Had hunger not overwhelmed me, I'd likely have continued on the Red Trail.

Route:

• Blue Trail: 31 → 32 → 34 → 38
• Blue/Red Trail: 38 → 41 → 42 → 20 → 21 → 22 -→ 1
• Blue/Red/Green/Yellow Trail: 1/Chalet → 2 → 3
• Red Trail: 3 → 6 → Boundary Trailhead
• Red/Purple Trail: Boundary Trailhead → 10 → 11 → 13/Sugar Shack
• Blue Trail: 13 → 16 → 26 → Parking/25

Trail Map; Source: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

​Albion Hills made for a splendid hike. I had heaved a elongated sigh of relief at being the one person on the trail within a 200 m radius. Having witnessed the dreadful discord of Mono Cliffs and Belfountain, the solitude was remarkably refreshing, allowing one to be immersed within nature and all that late autumn had to offer. Dazzling hidden creeks and wooden overpasses, hushed gusts of wind through almost-barren trees, the sound of water palpitating against fallen branches, and the sudden rustle of squirrels through fallen leaves - I loved it all.
The route featured plenty of exposed sections, either at road crossings or across fields without tree cover. Some tree roots had been camouflaged by fallen leaves, prompting watchful steps during descents and ascents. Marsh areas were brimming with dragonflies at this time of the year, though mosquitoes and flies were kept at bay due to the brisk conditions. It suffices to say that fall is the ideal time to visit, though early winter and late spring are second-best if free of ice and precipitation.

​Around 2 PM, Tim Hortons would provide my second meal of the day.

A Sausage Breakfast Sandwich on Homestyle Biscuit and small Iced Coffee set me back just five dollars with the mobile app offer. It was a gratifying collation after completion of my daily step target.

​Heading back to the GTA was swifter than imagined, primarily due to the 427 extension. Congestion would not reveal itself until the 403 Hurontario off ramp. From that point, weaving through minor and major arterials towards Square One would require up to fifteen minutes.

​​My visit to City Hall and Celebration Square served two purposes: returning the CVC pass and exploring the Art Gallery of Mississauga.

After dropping off the pass in the Hazel McCallion Library's self-serve lockers, I headed back into the Civic Centre.

​Positioned in the centre of the lobby was a miniature replica of the city centre area and neighbouring developments. The model did not extend past the immediate stretch between Mavis and Hurontario, but was well-made with impressive details, including microscopic passenger cars and trucks. It depicted the completed rendering of City Centre, omitting intermediate stages such as construction.

​The AGM was located at the north end of the Civic Centre on the ground floor. Entry was free, but required signing in on a nearby standing tablet. The required fields included one's postal code and how we learned about AGM - likely to capture visitor data for analysis.

​Contrary to the description provided by my birthday buddy, the gallery was not as small as fathomed. Even at its compact size, with the entirety of its displays constituting roughly 1/4 of one floor of the AGO, it boasted humble browsing value. Interestingly, the artists featured in the exhibit hailed from around the GTA, as opposed to strictly comprising of local talent from Mississauga.

My favourite was none other than the ring toss positioned near the front of the gallery.

As part of the advertised PRESTO perks, one could receive a complimentary tote bag with presentation of a PRESTO card. Documentation of the card number and cardholder name was required, followed by sign-off by managerial staff. About fifty-five people had taken advantage of the benefit at my time of redemption. It is worth noting that the staff does not require presentation of a physical PRESTO card, as the Google Wallet version also show the card number.
Also worth mentioning is the presence of washroom facilities within the AGM. That said, it is uncertain whether these facilities are intended exclusively for staff use. Regardless, there are plenty of publicly accessible stalls throughout the Civic Centre and even on the P1 and P2 parking levels.

​Removing oneself from the Square One area was absolutely tragic.

If not for the varied gradients of golden hour, I'd likely have resorted to detouring about local streets than patiently queuing for the highway on ramp.