Splitrock Narrows Nature Reserve Trails & Mono Cliffs P.P.
When:Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – Approx. 1:30 PM
Where:Bruce Trail Parking at Splitrock Narrows, 755437 2nd Line EHS, Mono
https://w3w.co/poems.warmer.changeable
Trail:Length: 10 - 12 Km. Uneven terrain with rocks & roots, some steep sections
Pace: 3.5 Km/hour Level 2+
Spaces: 20
Carpool Option 1: Meet at the Covered Bridge, in Guelph at 8:20 AM for an 8:30 AM departure to the trailhead, for a self-directed carpool for those wishing to travel together.
Carpool Option 2: Meet Marie at 8:30 AM for an 8:40 AM departure at the Rockmosa Community Centre, 110 Rockmosa Dr., Rockwood (south side of the tennis courts)
Please let the leaders know which carpool option you prefer or if you are going to meet at the trailhead.
Hike Description: The hike will begin at the Bruce Trail parking at Splitrock Narrows. From there we'll hike part of the trail into Splitrock Nature Reserve, exiting onto 2nd Line, then walking about 800 metres to the Walter Tovell Side Trail, and then into Mono Cliffs Provincial Park. Inside Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, there are many trails to choose from, including the Lookout Trail. Fall colours should be at, or close to their peak at that time.
Aside from the Fall colours, one of the highlights of this hike, is the hike through Splitrock Narrows, where we'll hike into accessible crevices, (not the dangerous ones) to see fossils and maybe some petroglyphs and the lush mix of plants that grow along the rocky ledges of the Niagara Escarpment.
We will enjoy lunch on the trail. On the return trip we'll walk the second half of the trail at Spiltrock Nature Reserve, the most interesting part of the trail.
What to bring: Snacks, lunch, water, personal first aid kit, health card/ID, sun screen, sun hat, rain gear (just in case). Hiking poles are optional but recommended. Hiking boots required. Dress for the weather. No dogs please.
Hike Leaders:
Marie Burland burlandmc@gmail.com
Norm Sailain nsailian@hotmail.com
Geological History: Splitrock Narrows Nature Reserve, located in Mono, Ontario, is a site of significant geological interest, shaped by ancient seas and glacial activity. The area is a prime example of the unique landforms found along the Niagara Escarpment.
The underlying bedrock of the reserve is a type of limestone that formed approximately 420 million years ago, when the region was covered by a warm, tropical sea. This is evidenced by the presence of crinoid fossils, which can be found in the rock walls of the crevices.
The most distinctive feature of the reserve is the "narrows" or crevice system. These deep, moss-covered cracks were formed through a process called "cambering," which involves freeze-thaw cycles. Water seeped into existing cracks in the rock, froze and expanded, gradually widening the fissures over time.
In addition to the crevices, the landscape was further sculpted by the massive glaciers of the last ice age. The reserve contains rocky outcrops, steep cliffs, and a glacial spillway—features left behind as the ice sheets retreated, leaving a landscape carved by the powerful forces of glacial erosion and meltwater.
