Bring your camera! Post your photos!
This is an easy 1.5km hike that takes you along the Niagara
Escarpment to a wonderful hidden surprise.
The hike begins in an open pasture with stellar views of
Collingwood and southern Georgian Bay. On a clear day you can see
as far as Barrie! (In the spring, watch for warblers, gold finches,
soaring turkey vultures etc etc.) At the "Y" junction, take the
trail to the right. The trail proceeds over a few small creeks
into a beautiful hardwood forest along a ridge on the rocky
escarpment. (In the spring the ground is covered in deep green
moss, white and red trilliums, violets, trout lilies, wild leeks
etc etc.) You’ll cross 3 pretty cascades. Eventually the trail
opens to a fabulous view of an old castle ruin overlooking a
lake!
Bring a picnic. On a warm summer day, it’s a perfect spot for a
swim! (Stay well clear of the rushing water!)
“Osler Castle was built on Blue Mountain in 1893 by
well-known Toronto lawyer Britton Bath Osler (the Crown Attorney at
the trial of Louis Riel and founder of the law firm Osler, Hoskin
and Harcourt.) Osler built this 15-room all-stone manor for his
ailing wife Caroline in hope that the ‘fresh air’ would improve her
health. Caroline named this summer house ‘Kionontio,’ a Petun
Indian word for ‘top of the hill.’
“Unfortunately, after enjoying only a few summers at Osler
Castle, Caroline succumbed to her illness and died in 1896. Osler
remarried and continued to spend time at the Castle, but when he
died in 1901, the empty manor was left to deteriorate. Vegetation,
weather, vandals and evidence of many a bush party took their toll,
reducing Osler Castle to ruins by the 1950’s.
“A diary excerpt from the early 1900’s reads: ‘while working in
that area, I along with a group of friends made several visits to
the property on Sunday outings. Not only were all the furnishings
gradually being stolen, but people were helping themselves to the
stone work as well. However, I assure you, we were not among the
vandals.’
“Today the property is owned by Castle Glen Development
Corporation and is slated for residential development. It is hoped
that the ruins of the historically significant structure will be
saved from demolition.” (OTB 4/8)
This is private property. Please be respectful. DO NOT ENTER
THE RUINS. Please use the recommended trailhead/parking. There is a
trail that leads directly to the ruins and lake. Please do not
bushwack. Please do not use any motorized vehicles on the
trails.
The trail is nice and wide: perfect for family outings and
cross-county skiing. This cache is winter friendly. But the access
road is not maintained in the winter.
Winter directions from Collingwood: go west on Mountain
Rd to the base of the mountain; Left & immediately Left again
on Scenic Caves Road, follow this up the mountain and continue to
the Hamlet of Banks; Left on 4th Line; Left on 12th Sideroad,
follow this as far as you can, then walk to the trail
head.