adma
Superstar
my Panoramio account[/URL]:
Yeah, one of the truly unsung bridge landmarks in Toronto: the original 1930s concrete arches of the QEW over Etobicoke Creek, now swamped by widening add-ons but still very much there...
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Urban Wilderness!
- Thread starter EVCco
- Start date
Yeah, one of the truly unsung bridge landmarks in Toronto: the original 1930s concrete arches of the QEW over Etobicoke Creek, now swamped by widening add-ons but still very much there...
EVCco
Senior Member
Indeed! There's a few bridge underbellies around the city that have almost a cathedral-like quality to them. The Dundas bridge over the Humber also comes to mind:
EVCco
Senior Member
Castle Frank Brook - rosedale addendum
After learning of the lost river connection to my last trip from Northern Light, and already having a few pictures of the remainder of the Castle Frank course to the Don from previous outings, I couldn't let the week end without finishing up the route. So I set out today to fill in the gaps, starting at the Avenue Road entrance to Ramsden Park:
Over the subway tracks and down Aylmer Avenue:
From Branksome Hall, down the Rosedale Valley to Mt. Pleasant Road:
East, under Sherbourne Street, towards the subway overpass:
A quick detour, up behind Castle Frank station:
Back on Rosedale Valley Road, on and under Bloor Street:
Past St. James Cemetery and the Rosedale Ravine Lands to Bayview Ave:
Across the river there doesn't seem to be any trace of where the old Castle Frank Brook met the Don, but according to the Lost Rivers site it would have been somewhere around here:
After learning of the lost river connection to my last trip from Northern Light, and already having a few pictures of the remainder of the Castle Frank course to the Don from previous outings, I couldn't let the week end without finishing up the route. So I set out today to fill in the gaps, starting at the Avenue Road entrance to Ramsden Park:
Over the subway tracks and down Aylmer Avenue:
From Branksome Hall, down the Rosedale Valley to Mt. Pleasant Road:
East, under Sherbourne Street, towards the subway overpass:
A quick detour, up behind Castle Frank station:
Back on Rosedale Valley Road, on and under Bloor Street:
Past St. James Cemetery and the Rosedale Ravine Lands to Bayview Ave:
Across the river there doesn't seem to be any trace of where the old Castle Frank Brook met the Don, but according to the Lost Rivers site it would have been somewhere around here:
r937
Active Member
next time you make that trip, cross yonge at ramsden park at take crescent road over the subway line, then take an immediate right turn and head down the stairs down to the rosedale ravine
this is the view looking back north --
there's a splendid, isolated home at the northern end of rosedale valley road, sitting right where the creek used to go (presumably beside it, not actually on it)
sadly, google street view does not show the portion of rosedale valley road that runs parallel to aylmer, but it's gorgeous down there
as rosedale valley road meets aylmer, a garden...
EVCco
Senior Member
That "Whippet Xing" sign would have been a great addition to my traffic sign collage!
r937
Active Member
fyi, nice article about castle frank brook here --> The Beautiful Brook Hemingway Used To Stroll Along (march 1 2012)
note the postscript about lostrivers.ca... "an absolute-freaking-lutely amazing resource for all this kind of stuff. Really. Seriously. Neat stuff."
note the postscript about lostrivers.ca... "an absolute-freaking-lutely amazing resource for all this kind of stuff. Really. Seriously. Neat stuff."
EVCco
Senior Member
^Now you're just rubbing in the fact I never heard of lostrivers.ca until now
But no matter, because yesterday I ventured away from the Lost Rivers purview, back to some rivers and creeks still very much out in the open...
East Don River - northern conservation
As you may recall, last week I gave consideration to continuing my tour of the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area, which I left off at Eglinton Avenue about a month ago. I must say I now regret leaving it off there and then, and also putting it off yet again last week (let alone never visiting it in my whole life prior), for I found this stretch of the East Don and its environs to be perhaps the most strikingly scenic in the whole city! So let us begin where I last left off, just north of Eglinton, heading east to the first of 4 rail bridges which span this winding section of the river in quick succession:
You may also recall that last week I mentioned that I had never seen a deer in the city before. Well, ask and you shall recieve! Just past the bridge, about 20 meters away from me, I saw not one, but two - a doe and fawn. I hurriedly went for my camera and managed to shoot about five dark, blurry, unusable pictures before they scampered off. Nevertheless:
On a somewhat related note, a number of years ago I saw a program on television from which I learned for the first time of something called a pseudoscorpion . I had never seen one these things in my life - let alone ever heard of one - but then, the very next day, in the shower, I saw one in my bathtub, just like that! And, weirdly enough, I haven't seen one since. I wonder what would happen if I hoped to spot a unicorn on my next trip? Anyway, enough about me and my strange Jungian exteriorization phenomena. On with the hike:
At the bend just before the second bridge things start getting really good. A riverside trail cuts through a dense stand of reeds and evergreens, then ascends along the edge of a high valley wall, offering some of the most stunning views in the city to please both urban and wilderness fans alike:
Seriously, don't just take my word, or the word these overcast pictures for it. If you haven't been here before, check it out! And while you're there, check out this little stream which breaks off from the Don just a little further on:
Back on the trail, and signs of civilization:
From the second bridge to the third:
Through the fourth bridge now where things start getting a little more urban and the wilderness starts getting a little less wild:
Along the edge of the DVP:
Heading under Lawrence Ave, then we hook a left under the Parkway:
Out now, into Donalda Country Club, where the next leg of my jouney awaits:
But no matter, because yesterday I ventured away from the Lost Rivers purview, back to some rivers and creeks still very much out in the open...
East Don River - northern conservation
As you may recall, last week I gave consideration to continuing my tour of the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area, which I left off at Eglinton Avenue about a month ago. I must say I now regret leaving it off there and then, and also putting it off yet again last week (let alone never visiting it in my whole life prior), for I found this stretch of the East Don and its environs to be perhaps the most strikingly scenic in the whole city! So let us begin where I last left off, just north of Eglinton, heading east to the first of 4 rail bridges which span this winding section of the river in quick succession:
You may also recall that last week I mentioned that I had never seen a deer in the city before. Well, ask and you shall recieve! Just past the bridge, about 20 meters away from me, I saw not one, but two - a doe and fawn. I hurriedly went for my camera and managed to shoot about five dark, blurry, unusable pictures before they scampered off. Nevertheless:
On a somewhat related note, a number of years ago I saw a program on television from which I learned for the first time of something called a pseudoscorpion . I had never seen one these things in my life - let alone ever heard of one - but then, the very next day, in the shower, I saw one in my bathtub, just like that! And, weirdly enough, I haven't seen one since. I wonder what would happen if I hoped to spot a unicorn on my next trip? Anyway, enough about me and my strange Jungian exteriorization phenomena. On with the hike:
At the bend just before the second bridge things start getting really good. A riverside trail cuts through a dense stand of reeds and evergreens, then ascends along the edge of a high valley wall, offering some of the most stunning views in the city to please both urban and wilderness fans alike:
Seriously, don't just take my word, or the word these overcast pictures for it. If you haven't been here before, check it out! And while you're there, check out this little stream which breaks off from the Don just a little further on:
Back on the trail, and signs of civilization:
From the second bridge to the third:
Through the fourth bridge now where things start getting a little more urban and the wilderness starts getting a little less wild:
Along the edge of the DVP:
Heading under Lawrence Ave, then we hook a left under the Parkway:
Out now, into Donalda Country Club, where the next leg of my jouney awaits:
Last edited:
Northern Light
Superstar
EVCco,
Excellent photo journalism, as always!
Some various notes for you:
The formal bike trail you encountered at the northerly end of your journey is proposed to be extended all the way south to the bike trail at the Forks. (where the East Don, West Don and Taylor Creek Meet, and existing bike trails follow the latter two, and the lower Don)
There will likely be an environmental assessment started this year, to determine how to best complete that trail link.
I'm mixed on this, as I appreciate the access by bike it will offer, and how it completes a major link in the bike trail system; but it will certainly make Charles Sauriol busier and a little less....wild.
****
On historic (or lost) waterways, you ran across one, and there is another that are open, fully or partially, that enter this area of the East Don; but once you reach the top of the valley slope, will disappear into pipes almost entirely for the rest of their routes. Its hard to believe that developers and governments once viewed these waterways either as sewers of convenience or merely a nuisance to development, but twas so, alas.
****
Notice the severe erosion on the west side of the river, north of Eglinton, this will likely require remediation within a decade as it begins to threaten the parking areas behind those large apartment complexes.
****
Deer are present here, as in most of the valley systems in Toronto area.
Easier to spot in winter.
Sadly, a couple of years back, I found one killed by a cross-bow. Never know what genius' with whom you share your valley.
****
The rail lines (lower and winding) is the CN Bala sub (better known as the GO Richmond Hill line); The tall towering bridge is the CP mainline (Galt Sub).
Excellent photo journalism, as always!
Some various notes for you:
The formal bike trail you encountered at the northerly end of your journey is proposed to be extended all the way south to the bike trail at the Forks. (where the East Don, West Don and Taylor Creek Meet, and existing bike trails follow the latter two, and the lower Don)
There will likely be an environmental assessment started this year, to determine how to best complete that trail link.
I'm mixed on this, as I appreciate the access by bike it will offer, and how it completes a major link in the bike trail system; but it will certainly make Charles Sauriol busier and a little less....wild.
****
On historic (or lost) waterways, you ran across one, and there is another that are open, fully or partially, that enter this area of the East Don; but once you reach the top of the valley slope, will disappear into pipes almost entirely for the rest of their routes. Its hard to believe that developers and governments once viewed these waterways either as sewers of convenience or merely a nuisance to development, but twas so, alas.
****
Notice the severe erosion on the west side of the river, north of Eglinton, this will likely require remediation within a decade as it begins to threaten the parking areas behind those large apartment complexes.
****
Deer are present here, as in most of the valley systems in Toronto area.
Easier to spot in winter.
Sadly, a couple of years back, I found one killed by a cross-bow. Never know what genius' with whom you share your valley.
****
The rail lines (lower and winding) is the CN Bala sub (better known as the GO Richmond Hill line); The tall towering bridge is the CP mainline (Galt Sub).
EVCco
Senior Member
Deerlick Creek - where the deer came from?
As you may recall once again, while considering continuing my East Don trek last week, I also considered a trip up the offshooting Deerlick Creek. Well now you can consider it done! Starting in Donalda and heading north:
There are many odd things to be found at the upper reaches of the Donalda Deerlick, such as a little woodland living room and a hidden outdoor office:
Just before the DVP the creek divides, with one fork heading northeast and the other fork heading nowhere:
Picking up the northeast fork on the other side of the highway:
Continuing north through Brookbanks Park:
The creek forks yet again, and I continue north through Lynedock Park to the creek's termination at Roywood Drive:
Picking up the other fork now, leaking out below Brookbanks Drive, from where I follow it to where it ends with something of a fizzle, down a sewer grate on the grounds of Victoria Park Secondary School:
As you may recall once again, while considering continuing my East Don trek last week, I also considered a trip up the offshooting Deerlick Creek. Well now you can consider it done! Starting in Donalda and heading north:
There are many odd things to be found at the upper reaches of the Donalda Deerlick, such as a little woodland living room and a hidden outdoor office:
Just before the DVP the creek divides, with one fork heading northeast and the other fork heading nowhere:
Picking up the northeast fork on the other side of the highway:
Continuing north through Brookbanks Park:
The creek forks yet again, and I continue north through Lynedock Park to the creek's termination at Roywood Drive:
Picking up the other fork now, leaking out below Brookbanks Drive, from where I follow it to where it ends with something of a fizzle, down a sewer grate on the grounds of Victoria Park Secondary School:
r937
Active Member
once again, nice tour, evcco
you do seem to have a tendency to photograph the "urban" in the wilderness -- the flotsam and jetsam, the junk, the detritus
i'm glad you managed to get a shot of the deer to balance things out a bit
and i love this boulder --
so, have you read any of charles sauriol's books?
you do seem to have a tendency to photograph the "urban" in the wilderness -- the flotsam and jetsam, the junk, the detritus
i'm glad you managed to get a shot of the deer to balance things out a bit
and i love this boulder --
so, have you read any of charles sauriol's books?
mattelderca
Active Member
Have you seen where the lost rivers now flow?
Check out vanishingpoint.ca if you havent already.
It's the site that brought me here to UT.
EVCco
Senior Member
Hmm.. I don't know about that either. Once you start making access too easy, and increase the amount of people-traffic, don't you begin to stretch the idea of what a "conservation area" is supposed to be as opposed to just another city park? (Says the guy who basically just encouraged everyone on the board to visit the place!
)As I was taking in those views from the valley wall I must admit I was slighlty annoyed to suddenly hear some people up the hill behind me walking their dogs. Then I realized how close to the Victoria Village subdivision I actually was. I suppose a lot of people can just head through their back yards into the Sauriol.
At any rate, isn't most of the general route already pretty accessible via Wynford-St. Dennis-Linkwood? If they do go ahead, however, I hope they keep it small and subtle. That part north of the CP bridge is just a little too manicured for my tastes. Then again, it is running directly beside the DVP, and into a golf course, so I guess one shouldn't expect it to seem that natural to begin with.
****
Wow! Come to think of it, I have actually seen what appear to be hunting chairs up in trees and elsewhere along my various trips. I wonder how many of the camp sites I come across are "urban hunters," playing with their new toys from the Bass Pro Shop at Vaughan Mills, rather than the tents of homeless people - or actual campers?
What can I say, for better or worse I've always been intrigued by the improvised, haphazard, and often unintentionally created landscapes that occur when you plop a giant metropolis on top of a natural wilderness.
I have probably taken enough pictures of discarded shopping carts, though - by far the most abundant form of jetsam that I come across. Bubbles from TPB would have made a fortune out here...
Interesting - at first I thought this was the same photographer I posted about a while back:
http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/showthread.php/17775-Urban-Wilderness!?p=598432#post598432
I wonder how many sewer photographers are running around out there, under our feet?
I'd love to get inside some of these pipes, but I'm afraid I'd be a bit too claustrophobic...and stenchophobic!
mattelderca
Active Member
In your recent photos, just north of Lawrence, on the east side of the Don, there are a few large storm sewers. Some 30 or so years ago I made the trip up one of them. Quite a ways in as well. We came to an end at a large underground interceptor. It was only recently I discovered where we ended up thanks to streetview!
It's not as bad as one would expect down there. I am still also very amazed that we took such a casual approach to burying things.
EVCco
Senior Member
Missed this one... Unfortunately, no.
Perhaps I should start reading after I complete my tours of the Dons, so as to have a better appreciation of the material.
EVCco
Senior Member
Thank the internet gods for Google Earth! If not for it I'd still be out searching for the ends of certain creeks shown on my old street maps, but which were burried long ago. Although I do also enjoy the adventure of going out blind sometimes and not knowing what to expect.