EVCco
Senior Member
...within the next hour or so...
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Urban Wilderness!
- Thread starter EVCco
- Start date
EVCco
Senior Member
Toronto Islands - summer sequel
I hadn't been to the Islands for a few years, and never really took many photos when I was there, so yesterday I thought I'd repeat my summer mega-trek of a year ago around the Leslie Street Spit, and cross the Outer Harbour Channel to one of the city's most intriguing "wilderness" areas.
I begin at the Island Ferry Docks where I had plenty of time to document the terminal, having missed the first ferry by mere seconds. Then on to the photo-venture proper, interspersed with a few pics from previous trips that I may have posted here before:
I land on Ward's Island, which isn't really an island but merely the eastern portion of Centre Island which, even more confusingly, isn't the island that most people know as Centre Island...but more on that later:
Heading west along main channel, then clockwise around Algonquin Island:
Back along the channel, then across Sunfish Cut and up into Snake Island (where I was a little disappointed not to find any snakes):
Around Snug Harbour now, and the RCYC/South Island area:
On to the island known to many as Centre Island, but which is actually named Middle Island, despite being home to the Centre Island ferry docks, Centre Island Park, and Centreville Amusement Park:
Over yet another bridge and into Olympic Island which, in keeping with the confusing naming policy of the Islands, has never hosted an Olympic Games - at least, not to the best of my knowledge:
Returning to Middle Island via another bridge, then up into the Toronto Island Marina, and heading back along the Long Pond Regatta Course:
From the fake Centre Island, back to the real Centre Island (or vice versa?), to check out the lake-facing side:
St. Andrew's Cut, Forestry Island, a water filtration plant, then back to the beach:
Lighthouse Pond and Trout Pond, in no particular order (because I can't quite remember which pics were from where):
Ending in the upper reaches of Centre Island, then departing back to the city from Hanlan's Point:
I hadn't been to the Islands for a few years, and never really took many photos when I was there, so yesterday I thought I'd repeat my summer mega-trek of a year ago around the Leslie Street Spit, and cross the Outer Harbour Channel to one of the city's most intriguing "wilderness" areas.
I begin at the Island Ferry Docks where I had plenty of time to document the terminal, having missed the first ferry by mere seconds. Then on to the photo-venture proper, interspersed with a few pics from previous trips that I may have posted here before:
I land on Ward's Island, which isn't really an island but merely the eastern portion of Centre Island which, even more confusingly, isn't the island that most people know as Centre Island...but more on that later:
Heading west along main channel, then clockwise around Algonquin Island:
Back along the channel, then across Sunfish Cut and up into Snake Island (where I was a little disappointed not to find any snakes):
Around Snug Harbour now, and the RCYC/South Island area:
On to the island known to many as Centre Island, but which is actually named Middle Island, despite being home to the Centre Island ferry docks, Centre Island Park, and Centreville Amusement Park:
Over yet another bridge and into Olympic Island which, in keeping with the confusing naming policy of the Islands, has never hosted an Olympic Games - at least, not to the best of my knowledge:
Returning to Middle Island via another bridge, then up into the Toronto Island Marina, and heading back along the Long Pond Regatta Course:
From the fake Centre Island, back to the real Centre Island (or vice versa?), to check out the lake-facing side:
St. Andrew's Cut, Forestry Island, a water filtration plant, then back to the beach:
Lighthouse Pond and Trout Pond, in no particular order (because I can't quite remember which pics were from where):
Ending in the upper reaches of Centre Island, then departing back to the city from Hanlan's Point:
the lemur
Senior Member
Nice pics - you really captured the diversity of the islands.
I wonder how long that pier on Ward's has been in that sorry state. I think it would make a good site for a pedestrian/bike swing bridge across the Eastern Gap.
I wonder how long that pier on Ward's has been in that sorry state. I think it would make a good site for a pedestrian/bike swing bridge across the Eastern Gap.
EVCco
Senior Member
Thanks...
Ward's Island as a whole actually looked to be a bit run-down, at least compared with the rest of the Islands. There was a few seemingly abandoned/unmaintained areas - not to mention the cobweb-like cottonwood fluff covering absolutley everything around there kind of makes the place look like a spooky ghost town!
Ward's Island as a whole actually looked to be a bit run-down, at least compared with the rest of the Islands. There was a few seemingly abandoned/unmaintained areas - not to mention the cobweb-like cottonwood fluff covering absolutley everything around there kind of makes the place look like a spooky ghost town!
datgtatrailsguy
Active Member
You must have really enjoyed that walk, so much to see and looks so cottage like. Aside from the unkept areas. I haven't been to centre island since I was a kid and haven't been to the islands other than that so I have to change that. How much for the ferry? Great set here, thanks as always.
EVCco
Senior Member
It's $7 for a round-trip ticket, so just a dollar more than a round-trip to anywhere on the TTC. Pretty reasonable.
Here's the schedule:
http://www.torontoislands.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33
It's interesting you said you hadn't been there since you were a kid. I get the sense that the Islands are one of those places that a lot of locals (including myself) take for granted and sort of leave to the tourists. If they were more accessible (by bridge, etc.), due to their size and unique environment, I think they would rank with the great (or, at least, famous) urban parks of the world.
But, of course, it's likely their inaccessibility which keeps them so nice. And the ferry ride is a great part of the experience, too.
They were also getting fairly crowded by noon, when I left, anyway - and that was on a weekday.
Here's the schedule:
http://www.torontoislands.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33
It's interesting you said you hadn't been there since you were a kid. I get the sense that the Islands are one of those places that a lot of locals (including myself) take for granted and sort of leave to the tourists. If they were more accessible (by bridge, etc.), due to their size and unique environment, I think they would rank with the great (or, at least, famous) urban parks of the world.
But, of course, it's likely their inaccessibility which keeps them so nice. And the ferry ride is a great part of the experience, too.
They were also getting fairly crowded by noon, when I left, anyway - and that was on a weekday.
datgtatrailsguy
Active Member
Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I'm going to make it a priority to visit this summer as I'm always looking for inexpensive things to do in and around the city.
I agree that we tend to leave places like this for the tourists as we (at least I used to) always seem to look elsewhere when looking for a getaway. I for one have realised in the last couple of years that we have so much to see and do here.
I agree that we tend to leave places like this for the tourists as we (at least I used to) always seem to look elsewhere when looking for a getaway. I for one have realised in the last couple of years that we have so much to see and do here.
EVCco
Senior Member
Little Rouge Creek - biennial bushwhack
It's been a while since my last post as I've been taking a little summer vacation from roaming the woods. But seeing as how today (July 26th) marks the 2-year anniversary of the beginning of this thread, I thought it only proper to celebrate in some fashion. Now, I know the traditional second anniversary gift is cotton, but I didn't see how a package of Fruit of the Loom undershirts would be an appropriate present for an internet forum thread. So, instead, I offer up yet another photologue, continuing north from where I last left the main branch of the Little Rouge Creek, at Zoo/Park Road:
Still searching for an actual trail, I find myself in behind the eastern-most end of the Zoo, as well as the Hillside Outdoor Education Centre, while on my way to Meadowvale Road:
In my two years of doing these treks, there have been two pairs of creatures which I've often encountered, yet have never been able to capture on camera - frogs/toads and dragon/damselflies. It's fairly tough to catch any animal when you work without a zoom like I do, but these guys in particular are both quick and small enough to have thusfar thwarted all my attempts at getting a lens up in their face. Today, however, as perhaps an anniversary gift to me, the hiking gods at last granted me a descent glimpse of both in rather quick succession:
Between the bridges, now - from the CP line headed for Pickering, to a CN line intent on Markham:
After finally finding a proper trail, I make fast headway through the Finch Hydro Corridor:
Ending up at Woodlands Park, where the creek passes under Steeles and out of town, thus completing the last leg of the last "major" waterway in the city:
Well, after some slow going at the start, this turned out to be a rather quick and pleasant trip. In fact, the longest part of my journey was actually the walk back west to find a bus stop. Trudging along the gravel shoulder of Steeles Ave, I had plenty of time to consider how (if at all) I'd ever manage to tackle the remaining little creeks and streams running through those acres of urban farmland known as Rouge Park...:
...could this be the end???
Well, as it turns out, while I was riding the bus back down Victoria Park Avenue, I just so happened to spot yet another stream that I've been meaning to get to, but had completely forgot about (it never ends!!!), allowing me to postpone my Rouge decision until after yet another post; which should arrive sometime in the still undetermined future...
It's been a while since my last post as I've been taking a little summer vacation from roaming the woods. But seeing as how today (July 26th) marks the 2-year anniversary of the beginning of this thread, I thought it only proper to celebrate in some fashion. Now, I know the traditional second anniversary gift is cotton, but I didn't see how a package of Fruit of the Loom undershirts would be an appropriate present for an internet forum thread. So, instead, I offer up yet another photologue, continuing north from where I last left the main branch of the Little Rouge Creek, at Zoo/Park Road:
Still searching for an actual trail, I find myself in behind the eastern-most end of the Zoo, as well as the Hillside Outdoor Education Centre, while on my way to Meadowvale Road:
In my two years of doing these treks, there have been two pairs of creatures which I've often encountered, yet have never been able to capture on camera - frogs/toads and dragon/damselflies. It's fairly tough to catch any animal when you work without a zoom like I do, but these guys in particular are both quick and small enough to have thusfar thwarted all my attempts at getting a lens up in their face. Today, however, as perhaps an anniversary gift to me, the hiking gods at last granted me a descent glimpse of both in rather quick succession:
Between the bridges, now - from the CP line headed for Pickering, to a CN line intent on Markham:
After finally finding a proper trail, I make fast headway through the Finch Hydro Corridor:
Ending up at Woodlands Park, where the creek passes under Steeles and out of town, thus completing the last leg of the last "major" waterway in the city:
Well, after some slow going at the start, this turned out to be a rather quick and pleasant trip. In fact, the longest part of my journey was actually the walk back west to find a bus stop. Trudging along the gravel shoulder of Steeles Ave, I had plenty of time to consider how (if at all) I'd ever manage to tackle the remaining little creeks and streams running through those acres of urban farmland known as Rouge Park...:
...could this be the end???
Well, as it turns out, while I was riding the bus back down Victoria Park Avenue, I just so happened to spot yet another stream that I've been meaning to get to, but had completely forgot about (it never ends!!!), allowing me to postpone my Rouge decision until after yet another post; which should arrive sometime in the still undetermined future...
datgtatrailsguy
Active Member
Talk about camouflage, took me a couple of takes to spot the frog in that one shot!
dt_toronto_geek
Superstar
Do get over, there's nearly 600 acres of areas to explore and it's really relaxing (except the Centreville area). Even the ferry ride there and back is still fun after all these years. You may be surprised how much the central area of Centre Island hasn't changed much, something that makes me smile as I have so many great memories of the island every summer as a kid. A couple of hints, take your own lunch and drinks because food choices are limited and expensive, take the Wards or Hanlan's ferry if the Centre Island ferry has crazy lineups, if you cycle take a bike as it's a great way to make your way around unless you really like to walk - a lot, and then it's pretty much a full day to make your way around - you should probably walk your bike around the crowded areas at Centre Island. If it's a warm day there's good beaches on the south side of Centre Island (kind of cold water there) or the west side along Hanlan's Point. The south half of Hanlan's Point is clothing optional, the north half is not. All areas along this side are all sand (some years 3'-5' deep sand-bars form 50 or 100' out) and the table below the water slowly graduated in depth in most areas, so the water is warmer for swimming here.
EVCco
Senior Member
Wilson Brook - the future is now
As promised at the end my last post, here is the waterway I was recently reminded of. For a detailed exposition on the recent history of the Wilson Brook, click here. For a cursory series of primitive VGA photographs of this brook, continue reading...
I first encountered the Wilson Brook in February of last year where it enters the East Don in the Flemingdon Park Golf Club:
I had fully intended on following the rest of the brook up, on the other side of the Bala Subdivision, but this intension gradually slipped from my mind over the ensuing year-and-a-half. Despite the Vanishing Point article's claim that "the burial of this creek by North York or Metro was so obscure that, today, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority maps of the Don river system continue to depict the creek," my own 10+ year old MapArt street map does not show any trace of the Wilson Brook at all, which is likely why I managed to forgot about it. This is also why it took so long to find it again - but find it I eventually did:
The brook heads under the Bermondsey Transfer Station, while I head around it to enjoy the delicious irony of a bunch of recycling signs thrown out in a trash bin:
Past Bermondsey Road the brook goes mainly unseen through the Gatineau Hydro Corridor, cloaked in a tight sheath of cattails (and then actually underground for a bit - again, see the link):
Through Eglinton now, in and around the Jonesville Allotment Gardens:
The last little bit, east of Victoria Park Ave, ending by the "Craigton Tot Lot":
Yeesh! Harsh lighting, bad camera, bland scenery - even I wasn't too impressed with that outing. But there's always next time...
You know, I've submitted more than 8,000 photos to Google Earth's map over the past 5 years, but it has only recently occurred to me to start using this resource as a map for finding all these little brooks and streams in the first place. Just turning off the satellite option has revealed a whole new plethora of waterways in the city that my MapArt street map never showed - affording me plenty of opportunities to redeem myself.
As promised at the end my last post, here is the waterway I was recently reminded of. For a detailed exposition on the recent history of the Wilson Brook, click here. For a cursory series of primitive VGA photographs of this brook, continue reading...
I first encountered the Wilson Brook in February of last year where it enters the East Don in the Flemingdon Park Golf Club:
I had fully intended on following the rest of the brook up, on the other side of the Bala Subdivision, but this intension gradually slipped from my mind over the ensuing year-and-a-half. Despite the Vanishing Point article's claim that "the burial of this creek by North York or Metro was so obscure that, today, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority maps of the Don river system continue to depict the creek," my own 10+ year old MapArt street map does not show any trace of the Wilson Brook at all, which is likely why I managed to forgot about it. This is also why it took so long to find it again - but find it I eventually did:
The brook heads under the Bermondsey Transfer Station, while I head around it to enjoy the delicious irony of a bunch of recycling signs thrown out in a trash bin:
Past Bermondsey Road the brook goes mainly unseen through the Gatineau Hydro Corridor, cloaked in a tight sheath of cattails (and then actually underground for a bit - again, see the link):
Through Eglinton now, in and around the Jonesville Allotment Gardens:
The last little bit, east of Victoria Park Ave, ending by the "Craigton Tot Lot":
Yeesh! Harsh lighting, bad camera, bland scenery - even I wasn't too impressed with that outing. But there's always next time...
You know, I've submitted more than 8,000 photos to Google Earth's map over the past 5 years, but it has only recently occurred to me to start using this resource as a map for finding all these little brooks and streams in the first place. Just turning off the satellite option has revealed a whole new plethora of waterways in the city that my MapArt street map never showed - affording me plenty of opportunities to redeem myself.
Anna
Active Member
Would the 1948 Topographic maps help you with your quest?
On the 4th Edition West Sheet Toronto I can see Wilson Brook extending past Pharmacy.
http://maps.library.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/files.pl?idnum=821
EVCco
Senior Member
Thanks - they might point the way to some heretofore unexamined areas, but I'd also be well served by some more recent maps that show which streams have since been diverted or buried.
I can tell you Wilson Brook no longer extends past Pharmacy - at least not above ground, as you can see from the aerials:
https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=craig...onto,+ON&cid=0,0,3455885978378739391&t=h&z=17
I can tell you Wilson Brook no longer extends past Pharmacy - at least not above ground, as you can see from the aerials:
https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=craig...onto,+ON&cid=0,0,3455885978378739391&t=h&z=17
EVCco
Senior Member
...on a related note, I wonder what ever happened to the "Wilmar Heights" moniker?
The only reference to Wilmar I know of today is Wilmar Road in Etobicoke.
The only reference to Wilmar I know of today is Wilmar Road in Etobicoke.
DSCToronto
Superstar
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Yes, that pier is an eyesore and has looked like that for at least the last 15 years. I assume it belongs to the Toronto Port Authority and they are more keen to run airports than worry about looking after boring old port stuff. (They are also the ones, finally, fixing the Cherry Street Bridge but I assume they were forced to do this so it can be raised for ships going to the salt depot.)