CALDWELL LAKE NATURE RESERVE

Saturday, July 20th

Rain Date, Sunday, July 21st

Members and friends will be treated to an energetic hike with highly eclectic habitat features highlighted by a provincially significant wetland and Lake Superior shoreline.

The Caldwell Lake Nature Reserve (over 100 acres) includes natural second growth black spruce, cedar and white pine forests. Other habitats include a floating bog mat, a beaver pond and meadow, Lake Superior shoreline, and cliffs. Sixteen species of orchids grow around Caldwell Lake, many of them in large numbers. Arctic alpine disjunct plants are found along the Lake Superior shore.

The TBFN website has more information and photos: https://tbfn.net/reserves/caldwell-lake/

THE FIELD TRIP

The field trip will begin at the trailhead (east end of Cottage Drive E.) at 10:30 am.

The hike itself should take about 5-6 hours (approximately a 10-12 km hike) and will follow a loop across some private property and up to Caldwell Lake, then to the beaver pond and then to Lake Superior for a rest stop at the Bryans’ camp. Scenery there and beyond the Lake Superior shoreline is spectacular as we return to the starting point.

Activity level: moderate to high with some difficult climbing, rough terrain and large rocks (on the shoreline) to get over.

Stops for nature identification, inventory, and appreciation are numerous.

DIRECTIONS

Drive south of Thunder Bay on Highway 61, turn east (left) at Jarvis Bay Road, then south (right) on Cloud Bay Road to the bay, then east (left at the “T” at Cloud Bay).  Continue driving along Cottage Drive E. to the corner where the road turns acutely to the right, or west. We will park and walk in from the trailhead. The total drive time is about 40 minutes from the intersection of Highway 61/Arthur Street West and to the trailhead on Cottage Drive East.

Participants from town wishing to carpool (as driver or passenger) should let the field trip leader know when registering so a match might be found.

PARTICIPATION

There is a limit of 15 participants.

Bring the usual hiking gear with mosquito repellant, sturdy footwear (may get wet on the bog mat), sun screen, rain gear (as appropriate), camera and backpack with a small lunch, hand cleaner, tissues, and a trash bag.

CONTACT THE TRIP LEADERS TO REGISTER

Thora Cartlidge: tcartlidge@gmail.com or call (807) 620-1086

David Legge: dlegge@tbaytel.net or call (807) 621-1219