This is Wilderness Union's first visit to Crawford Lake, one of the best conservation areas in Southern Ontario. We'll have a hike that will be a relitivly easy hike with some steep sections and take us through all of the area's highlights including:
Hike length: 6km
Estimated time to complete hike: 3 hours with stops for lunch and to explore.
This is an easy hike with a few steeper sections. We'll take it slowly on the inclines and make up time on the flat. Depending on how much time we spend checking out the area, it's also possible that we may just do one of the two loops on the route, reducing the overall distance by about 4.5km. We'll play that by ear according to our progress.
08:50 - Those getting a ride meet up at the Petrocanada next to Keele Subway Station
09:00 - Shuttle leaves. Please note, we leave dead on time and cannot wait for latecomers!
09:45 - Arrive at Crawford Lake Conservation Area, meet up with self drivers and begin hike. Do not be late! Fair warning, the van may end up being a few minutes late but self-drivers shouldn't come later than the van or they won't be able to join the hike.
10:00-13:00 - Hike the 6km looped trail
13:00 - 15:00 - Eat lunch and look around the long houses and gardens
16:30 - Anticipated return to Keele Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Winter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop. Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine.
We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram. A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you.
The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
Winter Hiking packing list
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a litre of water for the hike.
Self drivers are strongly recommended to reserve admission in advance here and save a few bucks. Entrance is $10.50 per person in advance, $12 at the gate. Those travelling in the van have their entrance covered.
Cliffs - Keep away from any steep drops.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone
Crawford Lake has a particulary interesting Indigenous history that we'll learn about while we're there. The lake and surrounding area were once home to a thriving Iroquoian village in the 15th century, before European contact.
In the early 1970s, researchers from the University of Toronto made a remarkable discovery while studying sediment cores from Crawford Lake. They detected high levels of corn pollen in layers dating back to the 13th-15th centuries, suggesting that the area was inhabited by an agricultural society during that time. This finding led to archaeological excavations which uncovered the remains of a pre-colonial Wendat (Huron) or Attawandaron (Neutral) village near the lake.
The village likely housed around 300 people from the ancestors of the Wendat or Attawandaron Nations. They cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash, which allowed them to establish a more permanent settlement. Longhouses were built to shelter extended families, with each clan living communally.
For unknown reasons, the village was abandoned sometime in the early 16th century. The area then became a hunting ground for other Indigenous groups like the Mississaugas. When European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, the Mississaugas negotiated land agreements with the British, opening up the region for settlement.
Today, Crawford Lake Conservation Area works closely with Indigenous partners to educate the public about the area's history. Three longhouses have been reconstructed on their original footprints. Exhibits, gardens, workshops and educational programs developed collaboratively with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Elders and artists help share the stories of the land's original inhabitants.
This is Wilderness Union's first visit to Crawford Lake, one of the best conservation areas in Southern Ontario. We'll have a hike that will be a relitivly easy hike with some steep sections and take us through all of the area's highlights including:
Hike length: 6km
Estimated time to complete hike: 3 hours with stops for lunch and to explore.
This is an easy hike with a few steeper sections. We'll take it slowly on the inclines and make up time on the flat. Depending on how much time we spend checking out the area, it's also possible that we may just do one of the two loops on the route, reducing the overall distance by about 4.5km. We'll play that by ear according to our progress.
08:50 - Those getting a ride meet up at the Petrocanada next to Keele Subway Station
09:00 - Shuttle leaves. Please note, we leave dead on time and cannot wait for latecomers!
09:45 - Arrive at Crawford Lake Conservation Area, meet up with self drivers and begin hike. Do not be late! Fair warning, the van may end up being a few minutes late but self-drivers shouldn't come later than the van or they won't be able to join the hike.
10:00-13:00 - Hike the 6km looped trail
13:00 - 15:00 - Eat lunch and look around the long houses and gardens
16:30 - Anticipated return to Keele Station
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Winter clothing
The key for winter hiking is to have breathable layers that allow you to adjust your temperature as you start to heat up or cool down. The biggest problem you're likely to encounter is actually getting too hot - the amount of exercise you're doing means you'll warm up quickly and it's important that you vent your clothes before you start sweating because that will only make you colder once you stop. Pay attention to your fabrics - there's a saying that cotton kills because it keeps moisture and makes you colder. Instead, go for breathable fabrics, like athletic wear or wool. Wool has the advantage of keeping you warm when it's wet but cheap polyester running gear is just fine.
We've put together a simple guide to layering on our instagram. A common mistake is to bring your heavy winter coat that you'd wear in the city - this will become very uncomfortable very quickly. If you'd like advice on what coat is suitable, we'll give you recommendations no matter your budget.
Shoes
You should be switching to proper hiking boots once the snow has started. If the snow is really deep, you can wear a proper winter boot that goes above the ankle but this isn't essential, especially if you have gaiters. These go over your shoe to prevent snow coming in. Trainers and city boots are really not suitable because they won't have sufficient grip.There's a good chance your feet are going to get wet, either through snow ingress or sweat so you should always pack a spare pair of socks when winter hiking.Traction
You're going to find that you move more slowly and spend more effort hiking in the snow so we tend to hike shorter distances. From first snowfall you should always bring ice spikes with you.
The Kahtoola Exospikes are a great option if you have the budget, otherwise Amazon has plenty of cheaper options. You rarely need snowshoes unless the snow is really deep and powdery and hiking with them usually requires even more energy.
Winter Hiking packing list
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a litre of water for the hike.
Self drivers are strongly recommended to reserve admission in advance here and save a few bucks. Entrance is $10.50 per person in advance, $12 at the gate. Those travelling in the van have their entrance covered.
Cliffs - Keep away from any steep drops.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear, ice spikes and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cold exposure - Ensure that you've brought the clothing outlined above so you're comfortable.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times to avoid getting lost. You should also download the map in advance to your phone
Crawford Lake has a particulary interesting Indigenous history that we'll learn about while we're there. The lake and surrounding area were once home to a thriving Iroquoian village in the 15th century, before European contact.
In the early 1970s, researchers from the University of Toronto made a remarkable discovery while studying sediment cores from Crawford Lake. They detected high levels of corn pollen in layers dating back to the 13th-15th centuries, suggesting that the area was inhabited by an agricultural society during that time. This finding led to archaeological excavations which uncovered the remains of a pre-colonial Wendat (Huron) or Attawandaron (Neutral) village near the lake.
The village likely housed around 300 people from the ancestors of the Wendat or Attawandaron Nations. They cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash, which allowed them to establish a more permanent settlement. Longhouses were built to shelter extended families, with each clan living communally.
For unknown reasons, the village was abandoned sometime in the early 16th century. The area then became a hunting ground for other Indigenous groups like the Mississaugas. When European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, the Mississaugas negotiated land agreements with the British, opening up the region for settlement.
Today, Crawford Lake Conservation Area works closely with Indigenous partners to educate the public about the area's history. Three longhouses have been reconstructed on their original footprints. Exhibits, gardens, workshops and educational programs developed collaboratively with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Elders and artists help share the stories of the land's original inhabitants.
