A cofferdam being installed to shift the river further east.
The new narrower river channel being formed
Final note for today. Directly south of previous post, they're shifting the river to the east to make more more for the train tracks.
Years of erosion had come close to the tracks.
Thats it for today, thanks for joining this #RavineRamble
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #DonRover #MudSeason
As a comparison, here is what the river looked like in this area in 2021.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Temporary bridge over the river.
Looking across the river to where the fire pit once was.
What the firepit and seating looked like back in 2020.
Finally making it down to the river to see the progress
Lot of change in this area. Looking across the river image 2, they've removed the long standing firepit (image 3). Shame that was a good place to chill after a good ride on trails
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
These bottles were the common beer bottle. That all ended in 1984, making this bottle at least 42 years old.
Old Chevy hubcap.
The valleys are littered the with refuse of man..
Image 1: Stubby beer bottle, at least 40 years old.
Image 2: Chevy hubcap, because motordom must invade all parts of the valley. @normal-cr02-metal.bsky.social any idea of vintage?
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
View over construction in March 2026.
Same view but 360 image in March 2024.
Better view of the construction over the Don River from the top of the hill on the westside of the DVP.
So much destruction.
Second image is the same area form March 2024 to compare the progress in two years time.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Toronto police service dog training centre.
No parking at the trailhead.
Even on a muddy trail, those pesky cyclists must be policed.
On the west side of the DVP lies the TPS dog training centre and on the east side of it a trail that will lead us to the construction site.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Looking down the trail to Beechwood and the DVP.
The old electrical shed.
Memories of East York Hydro.
The traffic on the DVP.
Well back we go & down to Beechwood drive to check out the construction from the other side.
But 1st a visit to an old electrical shed by the DVP.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
The trail dead-ends at the construction zone.
Looking west over the DVP to the where the future Ontario Line bridge will be.
Soon as we pass the fence we enter the construction zone. This trail went well past this, but not today. Its a workday & workers on top of the hill were not keen on me going further.
From here we see the current state of construction
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Beechwood drive dives under the DVP.
A single solitary fence panel... While I appreciate their messaging.. This is no obstacle.
Climbing above Beechwood underpass under the DVP, we hit another fence. Ontario line bridge construction is just around the corner.
But as we've learned previous, fences are but suggestions in the Don Valley, nay they're temptations.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Another abandoned shed, but this one much higher up the valley behind a fence, but also fenced off from the property its directly behind.
This one might eventually meet the same fate as the Donaconda shed @rudydotca.bsky.social
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Donaconda climbing up to Beechwood Dr.
Another trail heading north from Beechwood drive.
As Donaconda climbs up to Beechwood Dr, we leave decay behind & enter the destruction & construction portion of this #RavineRamble
Time to go take a look at what is happening in the Don Valley when it comes to Ontario Line construction
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
As @rudydotca.bsky.social mentioned, there was also an old Simpson's tricycle along the trail. It too has been here for many years..
Sadly, I did not locate it this time around. I do hope its still in the valley.
Old image from 2022.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
The Shed at it looked back in May of 2022.
It was degraded and structurally unsound, but still standing...
Now it has fallen, shame another ghost in the valley will soon be no more..
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Nearest property on Beechwood, far above the shed.
This shed has always been odd, as nearest property is far up hill. But the shed stood firm for many year, it did not slide here. @rudydotca.bsky.social any ideas?
I've heard stories of it existing as far back as 50s, but I doubt that.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
The shed as seen from the trail
Closer inspection.
The front of the shed.
Its collapsed in on itself.
Finally the old Shed comes into view. Its fallen down almost entirely.
I've not seen it in few years, and this is sad to see. Its been here for as long as I can remember. I've heard stories about it, but know no facts, only rumours.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Time is cruel to all, even those who give comfort on the trails.
I personally always welcome a chance to sit and rest on the trail..
Thought I might pass this one by just due to its general lack of structural integrity.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Looking down onto the DVP from up high.
Trail fairies working hard to overcome obstacles.
Even old shopping carts get a second life in the Don valley.
More cut fences.. For all fencing is but a suggestion in the Don Valley.
The journey to the find the old Shed continues..
Over Muddy trails and MBT jumps and cut fences..
The journey thru the Don Valley doesn't end easy.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Ground water still flows down to where the Don River once flowed.
A small creek takes over the trail, making for an even wetter and muddier trek..
If that was even possible. But in Mud Season, all things slippery are possible.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
What appears to be an old over or dishwasher.
Repurposed tanks serve as trail markers.
An old engine reused as a paving stone.
The trails are muddy & filled with long abandoned & sometimes repurposed items.
There are dozens, if not 100s of old landfills in the Don Valley & adjacent ravines.
Now some of those items serve as waypoint markers & stepping stones
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Return after Sending? To whom?
Here rests Daisy.
Even in the dull dread of an overcast day.. Trail art brings some colour to an otherwise muddy adventure.
Though I fear the second image might be some sort of tombstone for I'm not sure what. Possibly a tiny pet.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Muddy trails.
View from up high on meadow where once the Don River flowed.
Aerial image from 1954 of this area.. Yellow marks the section of the river seen below in the previous image.
Same aerial view in 1965 after the DVP was constructed. Red signifies the new rerouted Don River. Yellow shows the cut off meander that can be seen in image two.
The trail is muddy and slippery, Mud season has truly come to the Don Valley.
As you climb up and above the DVP you see another cut off section of Don River, also cut off when DVP was made.
No attempt to get down was made due to mud.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Donaconda trailhead on the northside of Pottery Road just east of the DVP.
Cut fences.. There will be a few of them.
The Donaconda is said to consume its victims, mountain bikers and hikers alike. Leaving only pink skeletons.
Heading north towards Pottery Rd, Donaconda trailhead hides in a small space between DVP & Fantasy Farm venue.
This was once where the Don River flowed, before the DVP rerouted it further west.
More to come, for now Donaconda beckons.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Old Todmorden mill.
Former part of the Don River, now an Oxbow lake.
Starting off at Todmorden Mills, heritage site on what was once a part of Don River, now a small Oxbow lake. It was cut off in the mid 60s when DVP was constructed & the river rerouted
But we're not here for this, we are heading uphill.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
Well it's been a while & with Mud Season truly upon us.. It is time yet again to hit the trails.
Today's goal is to see decay, destruction and construction in the lower Don Valley.
We'll start by tackling the Donaconda trail.
#LoveTheRavines #DonValley #RavineRambler #DonRover #MudSeason
But at least the walls makes for an artistic space for local graffiti partitioners.
Less public utility and more of a public mural.
And with that we'll end this #RavineRamble.
Thanks for coming along.
#LoveTheRavines #RavineRambler #DonRover #parksTO #EastCoastKin #winterTO #RavineRamble
Broken door.
Broken toilet.
One of the doors has been broken open allowing us a view inside...
I can't imagine how many decades this place has say idle.
#LoveTheRavines #RavineRambler #DonRover #parksTO #EastCoastKin #winterTO #RavineRamble
Abandoned graffiti bathroom.
But before we end. We visit a abandoned public bathrooms.
In my entire life, I dont recall this 1 ever being opened. In fact it's often surrounded by growth
@shawnmicallef.bsky.social bathroom plight is real.
#LoveTheRavines #RavineRambler #DonRover #parksTO #EastCoastKin #winterTO #RavineRamble
O'Connor Dr crossing the Taylor Creek.
We're approach the end of this ramble..
The O'Connor bridge looms large over the ravine.
#LoveTheRavines #RavineRambler #DonRover #parksTO #EastCoastKin #winterTO #RavineRamble
About a dozen bat boxes dot the shoreline here.
Bat boxes have been installed along the redeveloped sections of the creek.
#LoveTheRavines #RavineRambler #DonRover #parksTO #EastCoastKin #winterTO #RavineRamble
Bridge to cross to the south side.
Erosion control along the banks.
Doubling back to the the Taylor creek, we will cross to the southside of the creek.
Note all the recent slope and erosion control work that has been done.
#LoveTheRavines #RavineRambler #DonRover #parksTO #EastCoastKin #winterTO #RavineRamble
