There is a new trailhead – Cudmore Creek Wetland & Trailhead – at the south-west corner of Crothers Woods, where Pottery Road meets Bayview Ave, near the level railway crossing just a bit north of the Don Valley Brickworks. There are a few naturalized ponds and wetlands with two metal look-out points, a new little bridge, and an informational kiosk along the mountain bike trail that takes you up to the Sun Valley and Cottonwood Flats trails. Quick link to share: wholemap.com/CrothersTrailhead
Driving to the Cudmore Creek Wetland & Trailhead
The traihead is on the north side of Pottery Road, with the Bayview Extension to the west, and the railway tracks, then the Don River bike trail to the east. The old, informal, muddy parking area has been removed – there is no parking here now, but see below.
The “natural environment trails” are open to hikers but also mountain bikes, so be sure to follow the directions, be aware of bikes going quickly downhill, and keep your dogs out of harm’s way. Should you have to call 911 in the case of an emergency, the area location is 037-001.
Connection to mountain bike and multi-use trails
The path connects the two ends of the southern loop of the trail that comes down from the Sun Valley Section of the trails, past the Nesbitt Drive trailhead, towards the Thomas Hauser Memorial Trailhead at the Loblaws parking lot just off of Millwood on Redway Road by the North Toronto Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Just east of the trailhead, along Pottery Road is the Lower Don River trail, and if you head west a bit, you can also follow the multiuse trail south along the Bayview Extension through the Don Valley Brickworks and down to Corktown Common (while the main Lower Don River trail is under construction).
Improvements
Way back in the early 1990’s the area was filled in and used for emergency work after a sewer line broke. The area was never really improved after that, with an informal gravel parking area, and a low, swampy section. The most notable change are the ponds with metal lookouts.
Follow the trail on the right, over the new bridge to head north toward Cudmore Creek.
To the left is the exit from the loop, with a Wrong Way sign.
Crothers Woods parking
There is no parking at this trailhead. You can easily ride up Bayview Ave from the Don Valley Brickworks (550 Bayview Ave), which has paid parking, or park for free at the Thomas Hauser Memorial Trailhead north of here, in the Loblaws parking lot at 11 Redway Road, East York, ON M4H 1P6, just off Millwood Road.