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Escarpment Magaz ine Winter
2012
escarpment
excursions
sectioning the bruce
STORY & PHOTOS | CLAY DOLAN
LOREE FOREST LOOP
The Loree Forest
loop could quite possibly be the perfect winter trail. Its wide, well
cleared path and relatively level gradient makes it ideal for Nordic skiers and snowshoers. The
mature deciduous trees stand as silent sentinels overlooking the frozen forest floor. Often after
a fresh snowfall, the trees, shrubs and grasses will be covered with a soft blanket of white, high-
lighting the Loree’s beauty, until eventually, a wind strips the fleecy covering away and the
stately Maples, Ash and Oak trees are once again naked, dark towers juxtaposed against the
white snow pack blanketing the limestone shale surface.
If you catch it on the right day when the sun is shining and the snow is still clinging to the trees,
the forest glows with an angelic splendor, capturing your imagination and leaving you with an
appreciation for winter’s cold and often harsh beauty.
One of the most attractive aspects of the Loree Forest is its proximity to just about everything.
Collingwood, Thornbury and Blue Mountain are all within a 10 minute drive. To get there from
the Blue Mountain Village, simply take Grey Road 19 into the round about and veer right onto
Scenic Caves Road. Follow Scenic Caves all the way up the Escarpment (enjoy the views) and
keep going until you reach the first stop sign, which is in the thriving metropolis of Banks. Okay
maybe a small handful of houses and a four way stop doesn’t count as a metropolis, but I’m al-
lowed to poke fun because it is where I call home. We locals call it ‘banks’ for another rea-
son… and you’ll knowwhy when you pass through there in mid-winter. The snow banks usually
stand eight feet tall so whatever you do, do not pull off to the shoulder anywhere along the
roads up there. You can’t tell how steep the ditches are because of the snow, and if you get too
close… in you’ll go.
Once at the Stop sign in Banks, turn right onto 4
th
Line and follow it as it rolls down a steep hill.
The road takes a 90-degree bend to the left where it becomes 21
st
Side Road. Only a short dis-
tance later you will see the town sign of Loree and a cleared parking area on the right hand
shoulder. This is the only safe area to pull off the road, and can get quite busy on sunny weekend
days. (Coordinates 44.512999-80.375365)
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