Past a forest on the right, farmer’s fields hidden under heavy snow on the left, over a small rise, and at the end of the road sits Crawford Lake. It’s the site of a reconstructed Iroquoian village, a meromictic lake — the different water levels don’t mix —, and has kilometers of trails perfect for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The park offers special events throughout the year and now is the time to enjoy the Sweet Water Season along with great snowshoeing conditions thanks to heavier than usual snowfall.
As a local, I’ve been to Crawford Lake many times during every season, but have never taken advantage of the snowshoeing offered. I brought my family — none of us had any experience — we strapped on the snowshoes available for rent in the Visitor Centre, and headed out on the trails. While guided snowshoeing is finished for the season, the ideal winter conditions means that people can still rent, or bring their own gear, and explore the trails around Crawford Lake. Every trail is clearly marked and there are free maps available at the entrance of the park.
I can guarantee that if you can walk you can snowshoe. My children were running within minutes and heading off the groomed trails to test our skills in the deeper snow was easy.
After snowshoeing for over one hour we headed to the lake by way of the maple taffy tasting. It really is nature’s candy and I’m embarrassed to admit I’d never had any. This was a day of firsts. We (impatiently) waited as the maple syrup was boiled and then poured over snow before being rolled onto a popsicle stick. One was definitely not enough, but maple syrup is healthy so it’s all good.
The lake is small enough that a boardwalk surrounds it entirely. It is home to a variety of fish, birds, and turtles that are dormant until the ice thaws, but the walk is pleasant and takes the visitor through an old forest and past Niagara Escarpment rock formations. Anyone interested in photography will appreciate the points of view built into the walkway.
We headed back to the village in time to learn about different syrups the local Iroquoian people used for hundreds of years, and perhaps further back. On tap was birch syrup — which has a distinctive flavour and resembles molasses — and two different types of maple syrup: medium and amber. Taste them and decide for yourself which one you prefer. Later on there was a sweet water demonstration and, despite it being early in the season, a crowd gathered to learn how maple trees were tapped, the water boiled, and then consumed before modern technology facilitated the task. I’ll give you a hint: hot rocks. If you want to know more you’ll have to go and see for yourself.
The village at Crawford Lake is one of my favourite places to bring visitors who come to our area. Since the site was originally excavated in the early 1970s, the longhouses and Iroquoian village have been carefully reconstructed respecting tradition and knowledge of village life. There are currently two longhouses open for visitors and a new one is almost complete. The grand opening celebration will be held later in 2014.
Several kilometers away is the Mountsberg Conservation Area. There’s an informative Raptor Centre where animals are rehabilitated, a bison herd, and over 400 sugar maples. Mountsberg also has kilometers of trails and is a birdwatcher’s paradise in the spring, summer, and fall. During maple sugar season Maple Town opens and families can tour the forest on horse-drawn wagons, learn how maple water is collected, and taste the local syrup for themselves at the Pancake Pavilion. This is the syrup that in turn is used at Crawford Lake, so when planning a visit include both parks. March Break is ideal for discovering Crawford and Mountsberg.
Crawford Lake is just one of several parks under the umbrella of Conservation Halton waiting to be explored in the Heart of Ontario. During the late winter the parks work together to provide visitors a memorable outdoor adventure while enjoying the quintessential Canadian treat – maple syrup. It might be our backyard, but it’s one we never tire of exploring.
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kelseyapley
Looks like a fun time! I love the scenery it looks like a really pretty place!
Liz Mays
That sounds super fun to me! I’d love to try the different syrups and see which I liked most too. Also the snowshoeing…oh, it’s all so fun!
Katja Wulfers
It was a great time! And very beautiful. No chance of feeling crowded with all that space.
Katja Wulfers
Snowshoeing was a blast! I was surprised how much we all liked it.
Ellen Christian (@ellenblogs)
Looks like a fun time and something everyone would enjoy!
Mistee Dawn
Looks like a lot of fun. With all this snow around, we might as well enjoy it.
Katja Wulfers
My thinking too. Can’t stay stuck indoors.
Tammi (@MyChaos)
I haven’t done that since the middle school years, I should take my kids sometime. Of course being in those beautiful surroundings would be much better!
Nicole B
What a beautiful place to snow shoe.
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations
Oooh maple on ice. 🙂 It looks amazing. I wish I were closer. 🙂 I’d love to visit.
Clair Boone
What is that first picture? I looks delish!
Katja Wulfers
It really is a great family outing.
Katja Wulfers
The surroundings certainly help. One of the most beautiful spots close to Toronto.
Katja Wulfers
So beautiful and peaceful.
Katja Wulfers
Maple syrup on ice is worth it!
Katja Wulfers
Maple taffy – boiled maple syrup poured over (clean) snow or ice. And it’s very good.
Mindy Grant
I’m not a fan of snow (even thought I’ve lived in Maine my entire life!), but my sister and my Dad both love to snowshoe, and they would love this. I’ll take some of that maple taffy, though!!
Katja Wulfers
I was surprised how much I enjoyed snowshoeing. First time trying it.
Jennifer @TheRebelChick
I have never been snow shoeing, but I find that Maple on Ice even more tempting! It’s so beautiful where you live, I need to visit one day!
Katja Wulfers
The maple taffy was good! Lots of beautiful areas in this area.
Daisy
This sounds like fun. Can you believe that I’ve never been snowshoeing?! This would be fun to try. 🙂
Katja Wulfers
Go for it!
Angela S
I have never been snowshoeing before, but it looks like a ton of fun!
CrazyMom
I’m sooo sooo jealous.. wish we had snow in Florida, I want to walk in it.. but totally love coming to your blog and seeing your snow adventures and all the fun pictures.. keep it coming..thanks for sharing, sure looked like you guys had a blast
Pam W
That looks like so much fun! I am not a fan of snow in our area, because it is rare and not one can figure out how to drive in it, but I would love to try snowshoeing!
tammileetips
This looks like so much fun. I had the maple syrup in ice when I visited Toronto and really enjoyed it.
brett
we have some maple festivals coming up here- can’t WAIT!! looks like Halton is a gorgeous place to visit
Jennifer Soltys
Sounds like so much fun! As much as I am over winter, this really does look pretty!
Katja Wulfers
Let me know what you think if you try it.
Katja Wulfers
Your ‘no one can figure out how drive in it’ made me laugh out loud. We’re all used to it and still people forget. But the snowshoeing is lots of fun.
Katja Wulfers
Hard to stop at one, right?
Katja Wulfers
Have fun. Halton is a beautiful region!
Katja Wulfers
I am so over it, but getting out and doing things like this makes it fun.
mamatomanyblessings
I have never heard of snowshoeing before, wish it snowed here in Florida! Looks like fun!
Heather @ It's a Lovely Life!
This looks like so much fun and great exercise! I would much rather do this than ski any day!
Nancy Lustri (StyleDecor)
That looks like a great time – cold – but fun nonetheless. After this brutal winter though, I am sooo ready for spring. It’s great to see you are really making the best of it! 🙂
Katja Wulfers
Hopefully you can try it on vacation some time. It’s fun!
Katja Wulfers
Haven’t been skiing in ages, but I like the low risk of injury with snowshoeing. 😉
Katja Wulfers
Might as well as enjoy it since it just. won’t. go. away.
Wendy | Around My Family Table
So pretty….no snow here in Phoenix so I’m always amazed at all the fun things to do in the snow.
Katja Wulfers
It’s either enjoy the outdoors or stay holed up for months on end. Snowshoeing is definitely fun.