Primrose Side Trail, Boyne River Valley
east of Shelburne
30-45 min. return same way.

 Deer tracks outnumbered the people on this hike. I saw tracks in several places along the way but no people on my hour and a half meander. I stopped to snap photos frequently and rested atop the hill enjoying the view and absorbing the peaceful feeling that nature gives me. I find it is common on a weekday to see no other people on my hikes. If you do this hike, enjoy and be sure to say hi as you pass (if there is anyone to say hi to!)

Directions:
Drive west of Alliston on Hwy 89 through Rosemont and Violet Hill to Primrose. Turn north on Dufferin Rd. 19 (Prince of Wales Rd.) 1km north there is parking on the right, or continue another .8km and park on the shoulder near trail entrance. Trail is marked with a blue Bruce Trail blaze. There is also a trail entrance on the opposite side of the road. We will be entering the trail on the east side (same side parked on) with access to Murphy’s Pinnacle and the main trail. (In the right conditions the pinnacle is visible from highway 89.)

Wednesday, March 29, 2006  2:30pm 15º - sunny

This trail starts beside the Boyne River. When I arrive at the end of March the trail is still covered with snow but is firm enough to walk on. I spot a turkey vulture soaring peacefully overhead and that gives me a good feeling about the walk ahead. (No, I don’t expect to be his dinner). There is an uphill climb out of the valley through old-growth cedars. The river, deep in the valley below, is easy to see through leafless deciduous trees and looks more like a creek or tributary than a river, but my map indicates that it is the Boyne River.

When I reach the end of my climb I spot the first deer tracks of this hike in the snow, leading into a pine forest. I pass some farmer’s fields and cedar rail fences. Murphy’s Pinnacle comes into view on the horizon through the bare branches of mature maple trees.
The trail carries on beyond the pinnacle; a loop can be made of the entire Primrose trail or the main trail can be accessed. This is my final destination today. There are beer bottles strewn on the hill. Snowmobilers tossing their garbage? A snowmobile trail crosses this area in winter. I can’t imagine drinking a beer then hiking up this hill because it has my heart rate going. I suppose one could hike up first, drink the beer, then toss.

Sitting atop Murphy’s Pinnacle with a perfect piece of stone to lean on, it is warm almost like summer with a refreshing breeze, welcome after the steep march up the pinnacle. Two turkey vultures float overhead. A plane crosses the sky and I wonder if anyone of board can see me. One red spot in all this wilderness with no other people or buildings.
There is a 360º view up here. To the east the foundation stones of an abandoned homestead (as I’ve read in the Bruce Trail guidebook) are visible among soft reds of what I guess to be an overgrown apple orchard. To the south white strips of birch trees pop out of the green-grey fuzz of other forest growth. A red tailed hawk glides through the sky. Chickadees call in the pines behind me. I can distinctly hear the call of one, the answer of a second.
I return the way I came. When I get to my car the light is fading in the valley. It is just starting to feel like evening.

Other things to see and do in the area:
Alliston: Great little downtown. There are some interesting gift shops, a very cool western shop Herbert’s and a coffee house that is a favourite of mine called Groundswell.
Rosemont: The historic Rosemont General Store has staples, gourmet food and a tack shop. The popular Globe Restaurant is also here.
Violet Hill: Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant and country store, Granny Taught us How.
Primrose: There are two burger joints, one has a Toronto streetcar which I like to sit in when I visit.