Genius Hour Project Week One

Welcome to Short Hills Trail!

Todays hike was to Short Hills in Thorold Ontario.
 I was looking at the difficulty of the trail. 
Here are the guidelines I was going off of:

Terrain (the physical features of the trail)

Steepness (how many hills there were)

Base (mud, clay, rock, dirt, wood) 

Accessibility (wheelchair, adults, children)

Each category will be rated on a scale 1-5 and Each trail will get an overall rating. The higher the rating on a scale of 1-5 the more difficult the trail. The lower number is wanted unless training for something or for pushing limits. Each trail is based on 9 different ratings totalling a score out of 45. 45 out of 45 being 100%. 

We did the Black Walnut section of Short hills. 

Terrain: The terrain of this trail was in the middle, there were many stumps to watch out for and large roots. Shoe attire could be flip flops, but i wouldn't recommend them. I would suggest sandals with straps or even running shoes. 

Steepness: There were 21 hills, that range in steepness so as steep as 45degree angles up and down. They are what some called "calf burners". 

Base: The base started off great, little gravel which turned into large gravel chunks. As the trail went on it became washed out and very muddy in spots. I believe there was rain two days prior to the hike but it made the trail slippery. They length was good just over 5km, this could have been longer if you included all of the side trail.

Accessibility: Not a good trail for wheelchairs at all. Stroller you could get away with on parts of the trail, but then there are spots you would struggle. Children could go on this trail but you may need to help them over some of the obstacles and mud.

Terrain

Physicality 3

Obstacles 4

Footwear3

Steepness

Hills 5

Base

Material 5

Length 5

Accessibility  

Wheelchair 5

Adults 3

Children 3

Overall Trail Rating = 36/45 =  80 %  
Overall I found this to be a great hike for me, coming from the Northern Bruce Peninsula, I love a vigorous hike with some obstacles. It reminds me of home, I just wish I packed my running shoes for this one.