A Hike and Fishing hideout
I do like fishing in different places I visit, however I would like in this blog to highlight my experience at Lake Laurentian when I visited Sudbury. Being part of the Laurentian Conservation Area that has an area of 2400 Acres (970 ha. 1200 km sq) it was established in 1960’s and cooperates with the city’s school boards as a partner in natural and environmental science education programs.
These programs are conducted by experienced camp instructors and the children must be between 6-12 years old. The Registration is through Eventbrite and the camp is know as Camp Bitobig.
Located in Greater Sudbury of Ontario Province, Lake Laurentian Conservational Area extends from southeastern shore of Ramsey Lake. The area incorporates Lake Laurentian itself (a manmade lake), wetland areas, hiking trails (about 60 km combined), bird watching areas, including snowshoeing and cross country ski trails in winter. There is an Outdoor classroom and a Nature Chalet which reconstructed in 1995 having a multipurpose capability. The area is also ideal for kayaking and canoeing as the waters are mostly calm with beautiful scenes along the shoreline.
Hiking is the main attraction of the area, and there are different trails that can challenge you or just leave you relaxed after completion. I had the opportunity to complete the smaller Chickadee loop and made a video of the whole trail with several stop overs that were ideal for relaxing. I am looking forward in summer to go for a different trail and to share my experience. It should be noted that there are warning about wildlife found within the Conservational Area and hikers are highly encouraged to be extra vigilant when hiking. Kayaking along the shores of Lake Laurentian is also another adventure that I am looking forward to.
The other trails themselves are
1. Moonlight Beach Trail – A 3km, about 1 to 1.5 hours trail.
Ideal of a hike, run, cycling or dog walking with scenic lookout over Ramsey Lake. It is part of Trans Canada Trail with a wide gravel surface.
2. Perch Trail – A 1.5 km about 45 minutes to 1 hour hike.
Accessible from Moonlight Beach leading all the way to beautiful view of Perch Lake.
3. Thibault Trail – 1.3 km about 45 minutes hike.
Easy trail accessible through Lake Laurentian Loop encountering beautiful views and 2 beaches along the way.
4. Beaver Pond Loop – A 3km about 1 to 1.5 hours hike.
Serving as a hiking trail during summer and dedicate to snowshoeing during winter, it is accessible from either Bioski parking lot or the Moonlight Beach Trail. Main attraction is a wooden platform with scenic view of the wetland.
5. Chickadee Loop – A 1.2 km about 45 minutes hike.
Begins from the Nature Chalet and loops back, on either side of the Chalet it leads to the shores of Lake Laurentian with a viewing deck. The trail is through a deciduous and coniferous forest.
6. Red-Winged Blackbird Trail – A 500 meter about 20 minutes hike.
Points of interest include Bird Blind a rocky outcrop, a bench and a view of wetland and beaver lodge.
7. Link Trail – A 3 km about 1.5 hours hike.
Forming part of Trans Canada Trail (TCT), this trail links Bioski trail to the Nature Chalet and then goes to Laurentian University.
8. Mount Ramsey Trail – A 3 km about 1 to 1.5 hours hike.
Access is from Beaver Pond parking for hiking and snowshoeing. Main attractions are two highest points for scenic view; one Northward over Ramsey Lake and the other offers 360 degrees view of the conservation area.
9. Nasa Trail – A 200 meter about 15 minutes hike
Leads to the location of former satellite observatory, being one of the 180 sites located around the world used by NASA to track GEOS B satellite.
10. Duck Trail – a 625 meters about 30 minutes hike.
Trail goes through the woods and along scenic shoreline of the duck Unlimited wetland.
11. Trans Canada Trail – A 7 km about 3 hours hike.
Conservation Sudbury partnered with Rainbow Route to create the 7 km leg of the TCT connecting trails from Moonlight Beach to South Bay Rd near Arlington St. The trails offers a variety of terrain and beautiful 306 degrees view from Flag Hill.
12. Lake Laurentian Loop – A 10 km about 3 to 4 hours hike.
The trail goes all the way around the lake and can be challenging. It is recommended for fit prepared individuals. The loop offers scenic lookouts including a stunning panoramic one and two bridges with viewing decks.
13. Point Trails – A 4.2 km about 2 hours hike.
A steep climb leading to beautiful panoramic lookout over Eastern part of Lake Laurentian. Trail runs along the shore and back up for lovely ridge views, before descending to where the easy Point Trails separate into Loop 1 and Loop 2.
In addition to the trails mentioned, there are Bioski Trails; 17 km classic single-track cross-country ski trails, and 5 km of dedicated snowshoeing trails. This is however, not open to the public and rather through online membership at www.bioski.ca where maps are also provided.