SOUTHERN GEORGIAN BAY LIVING

The Bruce Trail in winter. Photo by: R. Mickeloff

The Bruce Trail

BY ANDREW HIND

One of Ontario’s largest land trusts, the Bruce Trail Conservancy is a Canadian success story.

The simple act of following a path and freeing our body and mind provides mental escape, boosts our energy, and leads to the wonders of the natural world. We in Ontario are fortunate to have access to the Bruce Trail, an unparalleled network of footpaths throughout the Niagara Escarpment, one of the world’s most important landscapes.

The Niagara Escarpment is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that traces the ancient shoreline of a pre-glacial tropical sea. The diverse natural landscape today supports a variety of incredible ecosystems and is home to an outstanding assortment of flora and fauna including 36 species of reptiles and amphibians, 53 species of mammals, 90 species of fish, and more than 350 species of birds.

Protecting and promoting this unique natural wonder is the mandate of the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC), one of Ontario’s oldest land trusts. Its story begins in 1960, when a group of passionate naturalists, alarmed that the Escarpment was being developed, joined forces to create the Bruce Trail Conservancy. They believed that if they built a footpath along the Escarpment that people would fall in love with its natural splendor and be more inclined to preserve its unique ecosystems. This was revolutionary: never before in Canadian history had a trail even remotely approaching this scope been realized.

“The Bruce Trail Conservancy is one of Ontario’s largest land trusts,” explains Michael McDonald, CEO of the BTC. “To date, we’ve preserved over 12,700 acres of Niagara Escarpment habitats, providing habitat for 86 species of concern.”

“Beyond preserving vital biodiversity, the landscapes we protect represent a natural-based solution to climate change,” McDonald continues. “Our trees and wetlands capture carbon and provide fresh oxygen, improving the quality of life of all Ontarians.”

BTC makes these lands available for exploration through an unparalleled network of trails. The main trail, which runs from Queenston in the south to Tobermory in the north, is 900 km long. “It would take the average person walking eight hours a day an entire month to traverse its length,” explains McDonald. Additionally, there are more than 400 km of side trails. The Bruce Trail is the longest market trail in Canada.

The Bruce Trail Conservancy was founded to preserve vulnerable Niagara Escarpment habitats. To date, over 12,700 acres have been protected, providing habitat for 86 species of concern. Photo by: B. Henry

The main Bruce Trail is 900 kilometres long, stretching from Queenston in the south to Tobermory on the shores of Lake Huron The length, longevity and popularity of the Bruce Trail is the result of a remarkable partnership between the BTC and members of the public. Portions of the trail pass over private properties, some 600 at last count. The owners of these properties enjoy no recompense; they offer access simply for the enjoyment of their fellow Ontarians and to promote biodiversity. Similarly, 1400 volunteers donate their time to maintain the trails.

“Hiking is a year-round activity. Our trails are used by walkers in every season, and in winter are joined by snowshoers and even crosscountry skiers,” says McDonald. “The topography along the trail is really varied, so the trail represents countless new experiences. The rolling hills of the Beaver Valley are iconic and beautiful. Further north, along the Bruce Peninsula, we’re treated to stunning views of Lake Huron.”

“A secret pleasure of mine,” McDonald continues, “is the stretch from Grimsby to Stoney Creek. It’s not as well travelled but has beautiful views overlooking vineyards.”

Bruce Trail Conservancy has recently launched a fundraising campaign to protect two vital habitats with Balsam Wetlands Nature Reserve, near Collingwood (home to a diverse array of life including Black Ash, a threatened tree in Canada), and Eugenia Woods Nature Reserve, in the Beaver Valley. The total cost to preserve these two new nature reserves and protect their precious habitats is $3.6 million.

The Bruce Trail represents years of adventure. And no two days are ever the same – new weather, new wildlife, and new perspectives emerge every time you head out. Perhaps best of all, these adventures are in irreplaceable forest and wetland landscapes thoughtfully protected by the BTC.

“The Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Bruce Trail,” says McDonald, “are a Canadian success story, one we can all be proud of.”

brucetrail.org @brucetrail_btc/

Wasaga Beach

BY ANDREW HIND PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ONTARIO PARKS

Skis and snowshoes replace sand and sun come winter.

Even if you’ve never strapped on a pair of crosscountry skis, you’re probably familiar with the allure—gliding across a sea of pristine newly fallen snow, through wilderness transformed into a soft, white wonderland, surrounded by a hush so complete you can almost hear the snowflakes dancing on the breeze.

Downhill gets all the glory, but cross-country skiing has its own rewards – a slower ride that allows you to enjoy the serenity of nature while getting a full-body workout.

There are better known ski areas in Ontario, and certainly many with more swank, but there’s arguably no better place to enjoy an afternoon of cross-country skiing than Wasaga Beach. Best known for being home to the world’s longest fresh-water beach, when snow blankets the landscape with fluffy white mounds, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park becomes a popular cross-country (or Nordic) ski destination. “Wasaga Beach Provincial Park offers some of the most exciting Nordic ski terrains in Central Ontario,” enthuses Marina Opitz, chief park naturalist at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park boasts over 30 kilometres of groomed trail. “We have trail options for all experience levels,” says Opitz. “Trails pass through a variety of terrains including lowland hardwood, sugar maple dominant stands, pineoak savannas, and parabolic sand dunes.” Expert skiers can challenge themselves on the High Dunes Trail while beginner skiers can choose the more leisurely Blueberry Trail.

Thanks to the Friends of Wasaga Beach, tracks are track-set after each snowfall, ensuring they remain in the best possible condition.

Wasaga Beach in winter isn’t just about skiing, though. Snowshoeing, a pastime as Canadian as poutine and hockey, is also encouraged along a 10-kilometre trail system. If you can walk you can snowshoe, making it an ideal gateway into winter sports.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park is one of the best places in central Ontario for an afternoon of cross-country skiing. Typically, the Wasaga Nordic Centre offers modern equipment rentals, light refreshments and hot beverages, washroom facilities, and a warm-up shelter. There are also outback ski shelters to warm up a lunch on crisp winter days. But as everywhere, the pandemic is impacting operations. “Rentals are not available at this time,” explains Opitz, “and while we are planning to offer many of our usual facilities and services to our visitors, some modifications or restrictions may apply due to the pandemic. Visitor and staff safety is always our top priority. We will be continually assessing our approach and may need to adjust facilities and services available depending on ongoing public health advice.”

Due to lake-effect weather, trail conditions and local weather can vary greatly from day-to-day. Depending on the weather, the Wasaga Nordic and Trail Centre is usually open mid-December to mid-March.

For up-to-date information on ski conditions and the status of operations, visitors can check the Ontario Parks Ski Report at https://www.ontarioparks.com/ skireport/detail/wasagabeach.

Hit the trails. Surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of a postcardperfect landscape, you’ll discover that Wasaga Beach should be as famed for skis and snowshoes as for sand and sunshine.

101 Blueberry Trail, Wasaga BeachRates: Adult $15, senior $10, youth (6-17) $7.50, family $42. Snowshoe Trail $8. Seasonal passes

Hours: 9-5 daily. Open December – March (weather permitting). wasagabeachpark.com 705 429 0943