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torontoboris.bsky.social
Its been a little while but its time for another edition of #RavineRambles

This time we're not going nautical, we're not going terrestrial. We're going littoral!

Fall is IN full swing in the valley, and I'm off salmon fishing.

#ravinerambles #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
East Don trail crossing the East Don River south of Lawrence Ave.
October 16, 2025 at 10:17 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
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
Heading south form the ET Seton parking lot towards the Thorncliffe Trestle
November 16, 2025 at 5:55 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Since we are going littoral, good pair of hip waders are a must.

And a fishing rod, cant catch salmon without one.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
I self portrait in the river.
October 16, 2025 at 10:23 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Heading down the river, we see the 3rd bridge on the new East Don section of the East Don trail. And bridge number 8 for the day.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
The new section of the East Don trail again crosses the East Don River for the 3rd time.
October 16, 2025 at 11:30 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Back to today. Heading south thru the river, the CPs East Don Trestle looms large over the Valley.

A rather tall bridge takes the CP over the valley, originally built in 1884, twin tracked in 1912.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #salmonfishing
October 16, 2025 at 10:42 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
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
November 16, 2025 at 7:32 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Again apple trees. Scattered through the hydro corridor, these trees exist unattended.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Nature's bounty People cannot resist but to try em.
October 19, 2025 at 10:56 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
The Anewen cliff in full autumn
Glory.

One of several large cliffs cut put of the soft sandy soil by the Don River.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Anewen Cliff and fall colours..
October 16, 2025 at 11:25 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
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
Big rock on the valley floor.
November 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
A seat with a view.

No matter the landscape. There will be one a abandoned couch to be found.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Abandoned in the meadoway.
October 19, 2025 at 10:28 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
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
Approaching the bridge Snaking under the bridge.
November 16, 2025 at 6:08 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
I've been salmon fishing in the Don River for about 20 years and having a spirited debate with local golf courses about water access for about as long.

This pic was taken by an abemused golfer.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #salmonfishing
Taken at Flemington Golf course about 7-8 years go by a confused golfer who saw me haul in a fish.
October 16, 2025 at 10:29 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Today was a bit of a different type of Ramble. I attended a @lostriversproject.bsky.social event to trace the orgins of Wilson Creek.

A creek I've known for much of my life, but only just now learned the name of.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Map with highlighted Wilson Creek as it flows to The East Don River. 1930s map of the same area with Wilson Creek highlighted in Blue, hydro corridor in yellow and Don River in Red. Topography of the area with the ancient shoreline of Lake Iroquois dotted in Red.
October 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
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
Looking southward down the valley over the West Don River.
November 16, 2025 at 6:15 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
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...
1947 aerial photo of the current pond location. Clearly visible are various small oxbows left over from the river shifting its course.
November 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Finally we're going to end todays journey at the final Bala Sub bridge just north of Eglinton Ave. Fitting a GO train showed up

This is bridge number 9 on this section of East Don in 3km stretch. A pontists dream

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Go train passing over the Don river. Go train on the Bala Sub.
October 16, 2025 at 11:37 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Wading further down the river, we again meet the east Don trail as it again crosses the river.

This wander down the river will really become a pontists dream in terms of bridges encountered.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #salmonfishing
East Don Trail just north of the Bala subdivision.
October 16, 2025 at 10:56 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Now we meet the 4th bridge of this littoral wander.

This bridge carries CN Bala subdivision over the river

No idea of built date. Any one know? @rudydotca.bsky.social @metroscapes.ca @bobgeorgiouto.bsky.social

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
First of three bridges on the Bala Subdivison we will see in this littoral wander.
October 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
The effects of man cannot ever be escaped.

A deep sewer flows under the Wilson Creek.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
The creek erodes around a sewer hatch
October 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
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
Climbing up the switch backs, wet, slippery and full of fallen leaves. Trail fairies reinforcing the switchbacks from erosion.
November 16, 2025 at 6:12 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Random apple tree. A theme of this walk, we encounter several.

Most likely remnants from old farming activity.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
October 19, 2025 at 10:32 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
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
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
October 19, 2025 at 11:00 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Wading past Bala sub bridge we encounter the newest section of East Don Trail & bridge number 5. There will be 2 more trail bridges like this to come.

Also Wynford Place & Highgate can be seen on top of the hill

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines
Wynford condominiums loom large from top of the valley.
October 16, 2025 at 11:19 PM
torontoboris.bsky.social
Sadly the realities of nature are all around.

Salmon migrate, spawn & die. In Don River these salmon do it invain. They've been stocked in the Don for 25yrs & never achieved a successful spawn.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #DonValleyRover #EastCoastKin #DonValey #lovetheravines #salmonfishing
These Chinook salmon are all a result of previous stocking by the MNR. No successful spawn has been recorded in the river in 25 years. And sadly the stocking has stopped, so these runs will come to an end.
October 16, 2025 at 11:05 PM