While driving home tonight, I had a thought; I wondered how many people knew about some of the lesser known treasures around and thought it might be fun to share them with you. We will feature a few every once in a while.
First place we found (thanks to an article in The Highlander Handbook was
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| Photo by Chalet-In-The-Woods Bed & Breakfast |
Snowdon Park in Minden Hills
Snowdon Park is a wetland and forest preserve established through the cooperation of the Township of Minden Hills and the Haliburton Highlands Field Naturalists.
The entrance roadway is located 0.3 km south of the junction of Gelert Road and South Lake Road (County Road 16). Then proceed 0.7 km westward off the Gelert Road along the entrance roadway to the kiosk.
Walk the Brenda Ann Chambers Trail System. A self-guided, level route through an upland mixed forest. The main Wetland Trail is about 2.9 km in length. There are several short side trails and loops. A portion of the trails is wheelchair accessible and leads to a platform which overlooks a shallow, open-water march. Along the route are excellent examples of a large fen complex, a swamp hardwood forest and wetlands, including a shallow open water marsh adjacent to a viewing platform.
The platform is a wonderful spot to be just before sunset. The sun sets on the far side of the marsh making for lovely photo opportunities, year round.
Have your camera ready, you never know what you might see. Keep an eye out for birds such as Ravens, Gray Jays, Blue jays, Nuthatches, wild Turkeys, various species of Woodpeckers and Chickadees.
In the months of winter, don your snowshoes and you will see a different park. There are many animals that frequent the wetlands and forests during the cold months, as evidenced by tracks in the snow and it is a wonderful place to spot the tracks of deer, fisher, otter, fox and perhaps ... if you are lucky ... the animals themselves. Moose have been observed walking across the fen.
Users of the trail are advised to wear appropriate footwear, especially in wet times of the year. Boardwalks have been constructed to ensure the protection of the ground surface and natural water flows.
Your are encouraged and invited to visit in all seasons but are advised you might find it a little uncomfortable during the period of heavy bug traffic.
Second place we are featuring is the Hawk Lake Chute and we thank Ontario Highlands, Stanhope Museum and a book called The Land Between for bring to our attention this gem;
Hawk Lake Log Chute
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| Hawk Lake Log Chute - photo Stanhope Heritage Discover Museum |
Logging makes up an important part of Ontario’s history. Throughout the 1800s, thousands of men carried logs over turbulent river waters to be delivered to the sawmill via log chutes, just like the Hawk Lake Log Chute in Haliburton Highlands.
View this last remaining chute in Ontario, which was built in 1861 and has now been restored and declared a historic site. Bring your camera because you won’t want to miss the opportunity to photograph the natural beauty of the Log Chute and the surrounding views.
While you’re at the Log Chute, stop by the adjacent Stanhope Museum to learn more about the history of the region.
Highlights:
- Relax with a picnic lunch beside the roaring waters.
- Follow the Log Chute Trail through lovely, sun-dappled woods.
- Stand face-to-face with 2 million-year-old rock.
- Discover the abundant local flora and fauna that live in this rocky terrain.
- Bring your fishing gear, and keep your fingers crossed for a nice, fat bass!
Directions
From the intersection of Hwys 118 and 35 in the hamlet of Carnarvon, go north on Hwy 35 about 5 km to North Shore Rd. and 1 km along North Shore Rd. The museum is on your left.
From the intersection of Hwys 118 and 35 in the hamlet of Carnarvon, go north on Hwy 35 about 5 km to North Shore Rd. and 1 km along North Shore Rd. The museum is on your left.
Carnarvon is
24 km west of the village of Haliburton along Hwy 118;
20 km north of Minden along Hwy 35; and
25 km south of Dorset along Hwy 35
24 km west of the village of Haliburton along Hwy 118;
20 km north of Minden along Hwy 35; and
25 km south of Dorset along Hwy 35
GPS coordinates
45.074621, -78.715374
45.074621, -78.715374
~~ Article by Ontario Highlands
Third place we are featuring is thanks to an article that appeared on our Facebook page... and it looked like fun.
Geocaching Capital of Canada
In Ontario, deep in the Haliburton Highlands in the Municipality of Highlands East and at the South Gate of Algonquin Park a string of seven hamlets make up the Geocaching Capital of Canada:
Irondale, Gooderham, Tory Hill, Wilberforce, Harcourt, Highland Grove and Cardiff.
These communities welcome you to explore the natural beauty of the area and enjoy treasure hunting at its best!
These communities welcome you to explore the natural beauty of the area and enjoy treasure hunting at its best!
The Geocaching Capital of Canada GeoTour is a collection of geocaches spread across the breadth of the 7 hamlets that make up the Geocaching Capital of Canada.
The Municipality of Highlands East is Yours to Explore so come and let this unique collection of 100 caches take you on an exploration of pristine lakes, scenic locations, and historical sites. Each family-friendly cache shares a giggle, an interesting fact or a breath-taking location.
A downloadable passport helps you to keep track of your finds and milestone rewards will keep you coming back until you've found all 100 geocaches!
Download the entire Geocaching Capital of Canada GeoTour into your GPS at www.geocaching.com/play/geotours/geocaching-capital-of-canada or scroll down for more on how to play.
The Municipality of Highlands East is Yours to Explore so come and let this unique collection of 100 caches take you on an exploration of pristine lakes, scenic locations, and historical sites. Each family-friendly cache shares a giggle, an interesting fact or a breath-taking location.
A downloadable passport helps you to keep track of your finds and milestone rewards will keep you coming back until you've found all 100 geocaches!
Download the entire Geocaching Capital of Canada GeoTour into your GPS at www.geocaching.com/play/geotours/geocaching-capital-of-canada or scroll down for more on how to play.
