Happy Thursday, everyone! I hope you’re having a great week, and enjoying the last of the fall season. Personally, I’ve been trying to get in as much outdoor time as I can before the snow falls and sub-zero temperatures become our everyday reality!
Fall is truly one of the best times to be outdoors, especially when it comes to enjoying one of my favourite pastimes: hiking. You don’t have to deal with the bugs and humidity of the summer, nor the treacherous ice of the winter. The weather is cool (but not cold), the air is crisp, and of course, there’s no better view than those gorgeous autumn leaves. I’m lucky to live in Halton Region where I have access to so many beautiful parks and hiking trails. In fact, I’ve made it my goal to visit all the Conservation Halton parks, and a few weeks ago I checked another one off my list: Crawford Lake Conservation Area.
Now truthfully, I’ve been to Crawford Lake before, but I was a child at the time so I don’t really count it. If you grew up in the GTHA during the nineties and early aughts, you may have been here too – it was definitely a popular field trip location! Even though I was so young when I went and don’t remember many concrete details, when Tania and I were strolling the lakeside boardwalk and touring the longhouses, I got that distinct “I’ve been here before” feeling. And it was good to be back!
Located in Milton, Crawford Lake Conservation Area is a 232-acre park boasting 19 kilometres of hiking trails, a reconstructed Iroquoian longhouse village, and a very unique lake. The lake is of special interest to scientists because it’s meromictic, meaning it has two layers of water that don’t intermix. This is a rare phenomenon that’s caused sediment to accumulate – completely undisturbed – in the deepest part of the lake over several centuries. Geochemical analysis of this sediment has allowed researchers to reconstruct the history of the area, revealing archaeological footprints of its former Iroquois village.
You can view the park’s trail map here. Tania and I started with a stroll along the Species At Risk Trail. This is part of the Crawford Lake Trail, and educates visitors about local at-risk species along the way. (Sad but true fact: over 200 of Ontario’s animal and plant species are classified as endangered.) The trail features beautiful chainsaw-carved wood sculptures of some of these species, from birds to butterflies to wolves. To learn more about Ontario’s endangered species and how you can help make a difference, click here.
The Species At Risk Trail led us to the heart of the park: Crawford Lake itself! It’s surrounded by a 1.9-kilometre boardwalk trail, which protects the lake while still allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty. This trail is gorgeous, with views of the sparkling blue lake on one side and the majestic forest on the other. It’s also flat and easy to walk, so it’s perfect for beginner hikers, or anyone in the mood for more of a leisurely stroll than a workout.
After our walk around the lake, we explored the Woodland Trail, a 1.5-kilometre loop trail that took us through the area’s woods and wetlands. Crawford Lake has so many trails to explore – we didn’t even make it through half of them! Next time we come back, I’d love to explore the Nassagaweya Canyon Trail: it goes all the way to Rattlesnake Point.
Before heading out, Tania and I took some time to explore the park’s reconstructed longhouse village. As I mentioned earlier, the undisturbed sediment in Crawford Lake has led to unique archaeological discoveries. In the 1970s, scientists found ancient corn pollen within the sediment, leading them to believe the area had once been home to Indigenous settlements. They were correct: from 1973 to 1987, archaeologists were able to excavate 11 longhouses and over 10,000 artifacts on the site. The three longhouses at Crawford Lake today are reconstructions of the original longhouses from over 600 years ago, built based on the archaeological findings – combined with several years of research – to ensure they’d be as historically accurate as possible. The interiors of the Wolf Clan and Turtle Clan longhouses have several historic artifacts on display, in an attempt to recreate what life was like there in the 15th century.
The Deer Clan Longhouse is a museum and gallery where visitors can learn about Indigenous art, culture, history and traditions. It was designed by renowned Toronto architecture firm Brook McIlroy in 2014, and has won several awards.
Reservations for Crawford Lake Conservation Area are not required but highly recommended, especially on weekends. (You’ll also save the gate fees by booking online!) You can make a reservation here. Admission is $10.50 for adults, $8.25 for seniors, $7.25 for children aged 5-14, and children under 5 get in free. If you live in or near Halton Region and you love hiking, I’d recommend getting a Conservation Halton membership: it costs $105 per year and includes access to any of their parks. You can also check with your local library, as they may have passes available to borrow (I know Burlington Public Library does!)
Crawford Lake is a popular destination for winter activities such as snowboarding and cross-country skiing, so it can be enjoyed all year round. In the spring, they host a Sweetwater Season Experience where visitors can enjoy all things maple, from tree tapping demonstrations to maple syrup tasting flights (sign me up!)
If, like me, you visited Crawford Lake as a kid but haven’t been back since, consider this your sign to make the trip! It’s truly a wonderful experience for all ages. Tania and I learned so much, and look forward to returning to check out their upcoming seasonal events (and discover the rest of their trails!)
Do you have a favourite park/conservation area/hiking trail in Ontario? Please let me know in the comments or send me an email. I’d love to hear your suggestions!