Finally the outflow surfaces as a pipe at the bank of the West Don River.
That is it for this ramble, thanks for joining in.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Front this point to the Don River the outflow runs dry and underground. Not more water is to be seen.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
New viewing area
The culvert that leads to the river
View north into the pond.
On the south/west corner of the ponds we come to a more recent construction.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
A view over the Seton Ponds
The view from the viewing platform.
Its still feels sturdy, but I couldn't recommend spending any time on this structure.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
More stairs to nowhere.
Viewing platform.
But one of the platforms is still here. I'm not sure when it was built (guess 80s). But not open to the public.
@notsmoothsteve.bsky.social @rudydotca.bsky.social @bobgeorgiouto.bsky.social any idea on date?
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Stairs to nowhere.
A decayed and abandoned viewing platform.
Remnants of abandoned ideas lie on the valley floor.
At one point you were welcomed to come down here to look over the ponds.. Now fencing gets in the way.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Frist close up views of the pond.
Looking across the pond, north to Eglinton Ave.
The muddy pond bottom is exposed in places.
We're now closer to the Seton pond, but on the wrong side of the fence.
It seem that the water level are quiet low at the moment. Lots of mud is clearly exposed.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Rejoining the trail after climbing down the fence. One of two missing trail bridges
Another missing trail bridge at the cut fencing under the Science Centre.
After clinging onto the Science centre fencing and climbing down the ridge back to the trail, it seems we've come to the missing bridges the sign warned about...
After the massive muddy drop.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
The Science centre towers over the valley.
Fencing and the science centre bridge.
A long line of fencing in the valley.
The ridge was flanked by two steep drops and it funneled me forwards. As I walked the Science Centre appeared into view.
A brutalist behemoth emerging from amongst the trees.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Hiking on a ridge towards something.. not sure what yet.
After several mins of trying to figure out my options. Without being able to go forwards, backwards, or climb fence onto Science Centre property.
I bushwhacked onto a ridge, steep drops on both sides
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Steep, wet, muddy drop down into the valley.
Sitting stuck, high above the valley.
And now we have a huge problem.. Like a 30-50 meter drop of a problem..
The trail nosedives down into the valley, and it's steep and it's wet... No climb can be had safely... And I can't go backwards.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Graffiti in the valley.
The valley and the Science centre meet.
Frist signs of the Ontario Science Centre encroach on the valley.
And as will all things concrete, no canvas shall be left unmolested by those with spray cans.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
I slipped down this section of the trail.. I attempted to climb back and double back, but it was not possible. Wet leaves and mud are not good for grip.
Still high above the valley floor, the Seton Ponds come into view.
Not long after the sign. The trail takes a dive. Its wet, its slippery & its covered with leaves.
I went ass 1st some 10-15 meter down when I slipped. There was no route backwards now, only forwards.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
A sign warning MBT bikers about a closed trail bridge ahead.
Not all signs are good signs... And not all signs should be ignored.. Even if there are no bridges of concern for a hiker.
This is some more foreshadowing of things to come.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
The trail fairies are not only gifted in trail making, but signage too.
Climbing up above the marsh.
The climb is getting higher off the valley floor.
Front one climb and decent onto another. Heading around the outskirts of the Valley rim on Yukon Striker trail overlooking the marsh
BTW. Yukon and trails is the first sign of a foreshadowing to come.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
The marsh in the north part of the Seton Ponds.
The floor of the valley is rather sizeable march. From the aerial photos, this was once the route of the river
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Big rock on the valley floor.
Rather large boulder in the valley. At first glance it look very out of place, but not unnatural.
I'd wager its a glacial erratic of some sort. Anyone know more? @rudydotca.bsky.social @metroscapes.ca
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Trail fairies build fun little jumps for the MBT community. Less useful for those who hike.
The CP bridge over Eglinton, directly north of the Thorncliffe Trestle
Fencing, always fencing to be found.
The entrance ramps to the former IBM/Celestica campus cut into the Don Valley south of Eglinton.
The trail meanders around the rim of the valley, touching Eglinton Ave East as it heads towards Don Mills Road.
Human impact on the valley is everywhere to be seen.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Looking southward down the valley over the West Don River.
It is stick season in the valley.
With most leaves now on the valley floor, a clear view of the West Don River can be had from the top of the climb.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Climbing up the switch backs, wet, slippery and full of fallen leaves.
Trail fairies reinforcing the switchbacks from erosion.
Climbing up the rim of West Don Valley on a multiple switchback trail built by local trail fairies for MBT community.
There is well over a 100km of such trails in the Don Valley, an impressive feat.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
Approaching the bridge
Snaking under the bridge.
To begin we'll be heading under the trestle. Built in 1884 and later upgraded and expanded, it still carries life CP freight.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
1947 aerial photo of the current pond location. Clearly visible are various small oxbows left over from the river shifting its course.
The ponds are a left over from an old river meander that cut into the Don Valley right where Ontario Science Centre (RIP) still currently stands.
See 1947 aerial image
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
maps.app.goo.gl/UK77hAVpDLh4...
Heading south form the ET Seton parking lot towards the Thorncliffe Trestle
Alright, it's Sunday, its cold and its wet.. Nothing better than good ramble thru the Don Valley.
Today we're on the trails to explore the Seaton Ponds behind the Ontario Science Centre.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #SetonPonds
The ancient lake Iroquois where Wilson Creek once drained into
The Don River Lagoon where the creek once drained into. Orange mark is approx location of present day creek.
Map of Toronto with historic shoreline of Lake Iroqouis in light brown overlayed. Bright orange mark, aprox location of present day creek.
As we end this Ramble without meeting the end of Wilson Creek, (we will in the future), I once again thank @lostriversproject.bsky.social for sharing their knowledge.
That where we will end.
Thanks for joining
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
The shallow depression in the hydro corridor give away the creeks location.
The tributary currently runs dry.
Dry creek bed of the tributary to Wilson Creek
Overlooking a shallow valley of the Wilson Creek tributary (no name known), we're about to end out Ramble before the two creeks meet west of here and plunge down the former shoreline of Lake Iriqious.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Nature's bounty
People cannot resist but to try em.
Again apple trees. Scattered through the hydro corridor, these trees exist unattended.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
The linear meadow being developed in the hydro corridor.
Where deep in the hydro meadoway.
While original Wilson Creek is now buried it does not resurface until west of Bermondsey Rd, we're on the search for a short tributary that begins in this area of Hydro corridor.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
The creek used to daylight in this gully until recently.
After a long detour to cross Eglinton Ave, on the Southside of the road the creek is no longer on the surface. It ran on the surface here until the city work yard expanded and covered it up.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Wilson Creek dives under Eglinton Ave.
The creek dives under Eglinton Ave.
This is the last we'll see of the creek, it daylight closer to the Don River. But we won't be meeting it today.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
The creek erodes around a sewer hatch
The effects of man cannot ever be escaped.
A deep sewer flows under the Wilson Creek.
#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
