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WAYPOINT
INTERVAL
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DISTANCE
km
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HIKE & TRAIL DESCRIPTION
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001 - 002
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1.92
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From the Upper parking Lot walk towards the large welcome sign and map of the area and head left following the wide gravel trail to the edge of the Escarpment (Pinnacle Lookout). Here you will find a set of steps to the left that will allow you to descend to view the rockface. Often rock climbers can be seen scaling the rock face here. The Rattlesnake Point Side Trail with it’s blue blazes heads off to the right following the Escarpment edge. Along here you can stay on the side trail or investigate some of the side loops that take you closer to the edge (Nelson Lookout). The trail passes through some rocky sections as it begins to descend passing alongside a one metre high stone wall along the Escarpment edge. After a steep rocky descent, the trail passes some very deep rock fissures along the edge before arriving at the Nassagaweya Canyon Lookout, with it’s stone columns and wooden beams (002). Be on the watch for Turkey Vultures here. A resting bench and display panels are located here.
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002 - 003
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2.61
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The rocky trail continues along the cliff edge where some knarled white cedars can be seen clinging to the edge. The trail passes another area of deep rock fissures as it continues downhill. The trail descends and then makes a climb up a rocky hill. Passing trough a rocky area of white cedar the trail comes to a more challenging descent before coming out to a flat area below. A blue T marker on a tree marks the end of the Rattlesnake Side Trail where we meet the Main Bruce Trail with it’s white blazes (003). Continue straight ahead here along the Main Bruce Trail.
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003 - 004
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3.53
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Trail continues through a sparsely populated mixed woods of beech, oak, maple and birch. Climbing a hill brings you to an open area and a signpost with a trail map. To your right you can see a reforestation project begun in 1993 -red pine, white pine, white spruce etc. The main Bruce Trail goes off to the right downhill while we continue straight ahead on the Leech-Porter Side Trail (004)
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004 - 005
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4.33
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Heading into a beautiful area of pine trees, the trail winds its way down into the Nassagaweya Canyon. At the bottom of the canyon, 150 m of boardwalk leads you across a wetlands area and a small wooden bridge crosses Limestone Creek. Climbing a slight slope at the end of the boardwalk you come to another T mark on a tree indicating the end of the Jack Leech-Porter Side Trail (005). At this point we connect again with the main Bruce Trail. A few logs and a trail map make this a good rest area.
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005 - 006
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4.64
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Take the white-blazed main Bruce Trail to the right and almost immediately the trail swings left. The trail straight ahead here is a dead end trail. The Main Bruce Trail passes through a ravaged wet area before swinging left and beginning the strenuous climb up the rocky path of the canyon wall sure to get your pulse moving. At the top you soon arrive at the beginning of the Crawford Lake Side Trail (006).
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006 - 007
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5.82
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Take the Crawford Lake Side Trail straight ahead. Climbing uphill at the Y-intersection, take the more travelled trail to the left. The trail passes through a mixed woods of younger trees and heads south through abandoned farmland passing old foundations and stone walls along the rocky path. There are large boulders and rock outcroppings throughout this area. At a T-intersection with a gravel road, to your right is the Crawford Lake Visitors Centre (007) and beyond it the Iroquoian Village. The centre has washrooms, a small cafeteria, vending machines and a gift shop.
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007 - 008
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6.66
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Going left at the T-intersection takes you downhill and at the next intersection, take the trail to the right which leads to Crawford Lake. A 750 m boardwalk leads you around the lake. When you come to the gravel trail again, leave the Boardwalk and take the path to your right with the blue blazes (008)
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008 - 009
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7.12
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Shortly the Bruce Side trail comes to an intersection where it meets the main Bruce Trail (009).
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009 - 010
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7.89
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Go left at this point and follow the white blazes of the main Bruce Trail. This wide gravel trail leads directly to Lookout Point where there are three interpretive signs to read about the area and Turkey Vultures. On many days you will be able to see turkey vultures swooping by at eye level. There is a resting bench here (010) and a great view of the deep valley canyon below which runs between the main escarpment and a large rocky outcrop which was once a part of the escarpment but became separated from it by the erosive actions of an ancient stream carrying torrents of of soil and debris released by the melting ice. some 12000 -13000 years ago.
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010 - 006
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8.59
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Leaving Lookout Point, go right and follow the main Bruce trail along the rocky edge of the escarpment edge. The trail passes through an area of extensive limestone erratics making the going a bit on the rough side before arriving back at waypoint (006).
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006 - 005
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8.91
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Turn right on the main Bruce trail and head back down the steep rocky path we climbed earlier. We soon arrive at (005) where we continue straight ahead on the main Bruce Trail.
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005 - 011
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10.22
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Some welcome recent construction along this trail (2004) using wooden plank inserts allows drainage water to flow underneath keeping the path dry. A fair number of ferns inhabit this wet area. At the bottom of the hill, the Bruce Trail meets an unopened section of Walker’s Line and swings to the left crossing Limestone Creek. This turn is easy to miss if you are not paying attention (011).
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011 - 003
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11.02
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The trail follows a small stone trailway and swings to the left of a rusty link fence along a 2 m wide pathway. The trail now begins its’ long long long gradual climb up the canyon wall back to waypoint (003).
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003 - 002
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11.72
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Catch your breath at the top of the hill and turn right to follow the Rattle- snake Point Side Trail back to the Nassagaweya Canyon lookout (002).
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002 - 001
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13.52
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You can save some time and energy by taking some of the easier trails back or the road if you wish finally arriving back at the starting point (001).
Enjoy the hike and the day.
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