RATTLESNAKERATTLESNAKE Conservation Area Conservation Area
PROTECTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FROM LAKE TO ESCARPMENT (905) 878-1147 (905) 336-1158 POINTPOINT FACILITY FACILITY GUIDE GUIDE TRAIL TRAIL conservationhalton.on.ca [email protected] AND AND Conservation Halton Conservation Halton 2596 Britannia Road West R.R. #2 Milton, Ontario L9T 2X6 Fax:e-mail: (905) 878-6899 e-mail:Rattlesnake Point – Telephone: adm Conservation Halton is a community based envi- ronmental agency that protects local ecosystems and contributes to the quality of life in communities throughout its area of jurisdiction known as the wa- tershed. The Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area is part of more than 9000 acres conservation lands that are being protected and available for recreational and educational experiences. Telephone: Fax:Web site: (905) 336-7014 Niagara Escarpment Rattlesnake Point - Kelso Mount Nemo Welcome escarpment parks located near Rattlesnake Point the Bruce Trail, Ontario’s longest footpath. Other cultural features. Most of the parks are linked by Escarpment that protect its significant natural and There are more than 100 parks along the Niagara the escarpment and overlooking the Lowville Valley. located on an isolated rock outlier separated from this geological masterpiece. Rattlesnake Point is of preglacial rivers and glacial meltwaters sculpted covered much of North America. The erosive power over 400 million years ago when a vast tropical sea of the Bruce Peninsula. The escarpment was formed Niagara Falls to the islands off Tobermory at the tip landform winds 725 km from Queenston near Ontario’s Niagara Escarpment. This well-known The limestone cliffs of Rattlesnake Point are part A Masterpiece Carved in Limestone the local countryside. five lookouts that provide spectacular views of dant plants and wildlife the trail system has glacial deposits. The conservation area has abun- sheer cliffs, crevice caves, talus slopes and park includes unique geological features such as managed by Conservation Halton. The 727 acre ral environment park that is protected and The Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area is a natu- Mount Nemo. Lake, Kelso and Falls, Crawford include Hilton ○○○○○○○ to Rattlesnake Point Point Rattlesnake Detail here You are begin at the start of trails near upper parking area. Rattlesnake Point has 12.7 km of colour coded trails consisting four loops ranging from 1-7.2 that Rattlesnake Point Trails
ORANGE YELLOW RED BLUE Trail Regulations the integrity of this area. the following rules which are in place to ensure When hiking at Rattlesnake Point, please respect complete a return trip on this trail. Village. About 4 or 5 hours is required to tion Area that has a reconstructed Iroquoian Canyon and leads to the Crawford Lake Conserva- This natural earthen trail crosses the Nassagaweya (Not a loop - 14.4 km round trip) To Crawford Lake Conservation Area 7.2 km Nassagaweya Canyon Trail Point and Crawford Lake. km 3 excellent views of the valley between Rattlesnake Canyon and Buffalo Crag Lookouts where there are edge of the escarpment past Nassagaweya parking area. The wooded trail then follows the This trail begins off the west end of lower Buffalo Crag Trail way of the Rabbits Run Trail. be seen. The trail returns to the starting point by great views of Mount Nemo and Lake Ontario can km 1.5 includes the Trafalgar and Nelson lookouts where Lookout and staircase are located. The trail edge of the escarpment where Pinnacle This trail begins on a forest path that leads to the Vista Adventure Trail km 1 trails. back past a group campsite to the start of winds through a forested area and then loops This short trail begins on the main park road that Rabbits Run Trail Aspire to invisibility. Observe but do not · Please stay on the marked trails. · “Pack out” everything you take in. There are · No bicycles or motorized vehicles on the · No alcohol allowed. · Control your pets. Pets must be kept on a · Group and family supervised camping is · next person to experience and enjoy. disturb. Leave exciting discoveries for the park and camping areas. 7 large waste bins located throughout the trails. maximum 2 metre lead. available by permit only. Do not venture too close to the cliffs hiking the trails at Rattlesnake Point. slippery when wet. Please be careful Escarpment can be hazardous and quite Warning: The cliffs of the Niagara or climb over the lookout walls. Thank you. outwash till or gravel that was entrance is surrounded by glacial towards Kilbride. The valley wide and extends 8 km This bedrock valley is 5 km is drained by Bronte Creek. to the Lowville Valley which Mount Nemo is the entrance area between here and Nemo to the south. The can see the cliffs of Mount From Rattlesnake Point you Rattlesnake Point. a greater appreciation of the beauty how this landscape was formed gives us ried for sand and gravel. Understanding at the mouth of canyon is now quar- outs. A large outwash fan that formed Canyon located to the right of look- channels such as the Nassagaweya its are associated with meltwater retreat of the last glacier. These depos- deposited 12,000 years ago during the Oakville also common in the park. Deer, fox, raccoon and porcupine are trees and many kinds of wildflowers. pipistrelle bats, spice bush, hackberry including turkey vultures, eastern fauna that are considered significant, Point has over 30 species of flora and as the Carolinian Life Zone. Rattlesnake Canada’s richest vegetation zone known is located at the northern limits of the edge of cliffs. Rattlesnake Point mosses while ancient cedar trees line fissures have numerous ferns and rugged landscape. The crevices and ties that are especially adapted to a Point includes unusual plant communi- The escarpment habitat at Rattlesnake Life Among the Rocks A Limestone Masterpiece Rattlesnake Point ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
Appleby Line From Rattlesnake Point look for these landmarks Lake Ontario Burlington Mount Nemo
Lowville V
Derry Road
alley Turkey Vulture Halton prior to climbing. climber’s own risk, must also be signed by all instructional groups, and submitted to Conservation Waiver forms, warning individuals that rock climbing can be dangerous and is done at the All climbing groups, both instructional and recreational, must obtain a permit prior to an outing. professional. ing. For beginner rock climbers, it is highly recommended that lessons be taken from a certified harnesses, climbing shoes, and a variety of ropes protection devices to ensure safe climb- This high risk sport requires special equipment and training. Rock climbers need helmets, and preservation of these important natural areas. of changes as they are implemented. We thank you for your co-operation and continued support two years. Conservation Halton staff will endeavour to keep the climbing community informed Installation of anchors along the escarpment brow is to begin in 2003 and continue for at least from using cedars as an anchor and all other trees must be wrapped to protect the tree bark. This important find has prompted a change to our rock climbing policy. Climbers are prohibited Several of the trees found are over 400 years old, and at least three 500 years. expanse of the Niagara Escarpment. was discovered along a larger white cedar forest community that Point is home to an ancient eastern The brow and cliff face of Rattlesnake
with numbers at the base of cliff. across to the east cliff, are marked from the highest cliffs to west a wide range of difficulty. Climbs, than 40 recognized climbs that cover Ontario. Rattlesnake Point has more popular areas for rock climbing in Rattlesnake Point one of the most variety of climbing grades make Clean vertical rock face and a wide Rock Climbing Walkers Line Walkers ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Kilbride Bronte Creek Niagara Escarpment. ern limit of the Carolinian Life Zone and on Ontario’s Canada. Rattlesnake Point is located at the north- ened plant and animal species that can be found in some of the most significant habitats and threat- between Grand Bend and Toronto. The area includes northern limit of the zone generally follows a line nestled among Lakes Erie, Huron and Ontario. The The Carolinian Life Zone is an ecological community Carolinian Life Zone Gravel Pit Nassagaweya Canyon Visit these other Conservation Halton parks ○○○○○○○○ wildlife, biking and hiking, cross country skiing. Raptor Centre, maple syrup demonstration,
Hiking, biking and cross-country skiing, Hiking, scenic viewing, Bruce Trail, Visit these other Conservation Halton parks (905) 854-0262 (905) 854-0262 (905) 854-2276 Bruce Trail, waterfall interpretive lookout Mount Nemo Mountsberg Hilton Falls ○○○○○○○○○○ for more great natural experiences Reconstructed Iroquoian village, visitors centre, rare lake with boardwalk, hiking biking, down hill skiing, snowboarding, Sandy beach, boat rentals, hiking and trails, Niagara Escarpment Lookout ○○○○○○○○○○○ group camping, fishing (905) 878-5011 (905) 854-0234 Kelso/Glen Eden Crawford Lake