Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Hike #17: Crawford Lake Conservation Area. Instead we pulled out our trusty old map book of the Bruce Trail and parked at the southern edge of the Crawford Forestry Tract, which is a secondary part of the Crawford Lake Conservation Area just south of the main park. We initially planned to hike at the Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, but apparently you now have to book a reservation online. It was interesting to see how the park was responding to COVID-19. Since we entered the conservation area from the back entrance there were less people around, which always makes for a pleasanter hiking experience. With warmer weather in Ireland, pretty much everyone in Sligo decided that it’s a good idea to go to the beach. The warm weather tends to draw everyone outdoors, whether it’s to the parks or beaches, especially on the long weekend. Just looking to take a quick stroll? We didn’t realize this until after rolling up into the parking lot and getting turned away. We first hiked on the boardwalk along the Crawford Lake Trail (1.4km), which was marked by blue markers. It is very interesting to read about the changes implemented in response to Covid-19. Agreed! Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. This particular trail was converted into a one-way hike and signs were posted along the way reminding people to keep their distance and to only pass in certain spots where the path widens. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. After parking near the longhouses we followed the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail until we came to The Bruce Trail. #1 - Rattlesnake Point via Nassagaweya and Bruce Trails, Note: Reservations are now required before your visit - book at parkvisit.ca. There are a number of trails that originate at Crawford Lake. After crossing the bridge, the path becomes a bit rocky again before crossing the road. I’ve had a lot of extra time on my hands these days to find and explore beautiful hiking trails in Ontario. AllTrails has 8 great hiking trails, trail running trails, dogs leash trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. Cheers, Provincial parks and conservation areas opened back up again last week in Ontario. I’m glad that parks are re-opening and can you can enjoy that beautiful nature. We followed this south to the road. But then again, that boardwalk was pretty narrow, so I guess it makes sense. Please note that as of June 2020 the Crawford trail is still partially closed. ( Log Out /  Here the path widens out and was relatively flat, making it much easier to keep the recommended distance away from other people. We hope our stories can help as you plan for your adventures. The path eventually flattens out, which was fortunate for K who forgot to bring his hiking shoes. Thank you for the post. Please check here for more information: https://conservationhalton.ca/park-details?park=crawford-lake, #4 - Crawford Lake and Escarpment Trail Loop. It’s a bit the drawback of being near a big city, there are often a lot of people doing the same thing at the same time. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! Hope you’re able to spend some time outside these days. We first hiked on the boardwalk along the Crawford Lake Trail (1.4km), which was marked by blue markers. We've got 4 easy trails in Crawford Lake Conservation Area ranging from 1.4 to 12.4 km and from 255 to 302 meters above sea level. Cost is $7/person to enter, #2 - Nassagaweya, Bruce, and Crawford Lake Trails Loop. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and is accessible year-round. I’m glad you had a chance to go for a walk. Looking for a great trail in Crawford Lake Conservation Area, Ontario? hiking dogs-leash forest views wild-flowers wildlife nature-trips lake kids snowshoeing trail-running walking Note: As of September 2020, the boardwalk is partially closed however the trail is still accessible. The sites were nearly deserted, us often being the only people there. Crawford Lake has more than 15 kilometres of trails, including the Bruce Trail. ( Log Out /  Distance hiked: 7.4kmLocation: Bruce Trail, OntarioDate: May 24, 2020. I typically don’t like hiking in crowded places, so we usually try to get out early in the morning,, hence why most of my pictures don’t have other people in them. The Visitor Centre, longhouses and all washrooms are currently CLOSED. I’m also very happy to see that places are re-opening that provide the opportunity to enjoy nature . We’re a couple of Canadians who enjoy hiking, camping, diving, and just spending as much time outdoors as we can. Cool. Crawford Lake is a rare example of a meromictic lake where the layers of water do not intermix. Please check here for updates. Seeing your part of the world really makes me want to travel to Ireland. Trail access only. A beautiful place for hiking and quiet reflection. Score! We followed the white blazes along the main trail and turned off at the sign for the Crawford Lake Side Trail. With warmer weather on the forecast for the weekend, you can only imagine how packed the trails were. I’m really hoping this isn’t the new “normal”. My progress on the 52 Hike Challenge can be found here. The first stretch of the path was a bit rocky and involved scrambling up some large boulders. This is precisely why we try to leave the city to go hiking most weekends as the trails here are just packed. It certainly is interesting to see how certain places, including parks, are responding to the pandemic. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Take care. We also found it interesting that they converted the trail around the lake into a one-way trail. Not sure I can handle all the additional people on the trails these days. We spent yesterday walking through the Cambodian jungle in search of some more remote temples. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! ( Log Out /  This allowed us to connect with the Escarpment Trail and make our way over to the lookout across the canyon. Except parking here is free and there were still a few spots left in the small parking lot. Change ). Thanks for sharing, as always, seeing your part of the world always makes my day Aiva. The hike along the lake was quite leisurely as we were forced to go at a much slower pace due to the high volume of visitors on the boardwalk and our inability to pass any of them. #5 - Crawford Lake, Pine Ridge and Bruce Trail Loop, #6 - Bruce, Woodland, and Escarpment Trails Loop from Twiss Road. While this wasn’t the hike we had initially planned for the day, hiking through the Crawford Lake Conservation Area was still pleasant. Once we crossed back into the Crawford Forestry Tract, it was only a couple of kilometres back to the car. Thanks for reading and commenting. Help keep our trails and parks open during COVID-19 by committing to social distancing. We covered ourselves in a thick layer of sunscreen and started our hike along the Bruce Trail through the forest. We’re really hoping that this isn’t the new normal when it comes to hiking. Hopefully everything will get back to normal, soon Crawford Lake Boardwalk Loop Trail is a 0.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Milton, Ontario, Canada that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. I’ve also purposely waited for people to pass before taking my picture. This led us back to the Bruce Trail. Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out. ( Log Out /  I checked my phone to see if we could register, but all the time slots for Rattlesnake Point and all the other conservation areas in Halton were full for the day. Exploring the Cambodian jungle sounds quite fun and adventurous, even more so with no people around. Hope your time spent there was wonderful. Crawford Lake is a rare example of a … The side trail is marked with blue blazes along the trees and follows a wide path through the forest that leads to Crawford Lake.