This is the big one! We've got about 30 of us who've taken the day to catch what is probably a once-in-a-lifetime event. We've planned a day that is flexible according to what circumstances throw our way and should be a day we alway remember.
We've got two vans heading out to accommodate everyone - look out for the slightly different pick up spot. We've chosen a route that should avoid the worst of the traffic and get us down to Lake Erie. We'll start out down at Long Point, where depending on time, we'll either visit the beach or check out the Long Point Bird Observatory. Bird migration has started and this incredible little centre catches thousands of birds mid migration to band them, it's a magical thing to see happen.
We'll then head into the cute town of Port Rowan for a massive group lunch and takeover of the best restaurant there, Chef Stan's Saloon.
We're heading to a conservation reserve a little out of town to watch the big event. There'll be a 6km hike that spits us out at a large open area for an unobstructed view of the eclipse. The eclipse will take a total of 2.5 hours with 3.5 minutes of totality.
Check out what to expect in terms of eclipse timing here.
We've got a Solar Eclipse shared Spotify play list for the ride up - add your songs here!
The hike will be very easy but may be muddy.
07:50 - Those getting a ride meet at the car pull-in area just to the right of Keele Station as you leave the exit. This is where we normally drop you off after adventures. We will travel in 2 different vans
10:30 - Aim to arrive at Long Point Bird Observatory. Traffic may have other plans
12:15 - Drive to Chef Stan's Saloon for lunch. Google will say it's closed but they're opening for us.
14:00-16:30 - Hike at Backus Woods Conservation area during the eclipse. Totality begins at 15:16. There is a small parking area that should just about have enough room for us.
19:30 - Anticipated arrival back at Keele Station but this could be flexible based on traffic so don't plan anything early that evening!
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
General Notes
Although an easy hike, we could have slippery, muddy conditions so dress accordingly. We have 25 pairs of eclipse glasses - if you have your own, please bring them!
Shoes
Hiking boots are recommended for this trip.
Traction
We're not expecting much snow on the trail but if you have ice spikes, you should pack them. We have extras for those who need them.
Clothing packing list
It's also a good idea to bring a whistle in case you need to call for help.
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
Have breakfast before you meet us and bring at least 1l of water.
We'll be having lunch together as part of the day out.
We'll be providing eclipse viewing glasses and ice spikes for those who need them.
You should read all of the instructions in here carefully and make sure you've downloaded and installed the map! It's important that you listen to the guides and follow their instructions at all times.
Eye damage: Do not look directly at the sun unless you're wearing ISO certified eclipse viewing glasses. We'll have pairs for you to borrow. Once the sun is entirely occluded, during the portion of totality you will be able to remove them.
Getting lost: All hikers must remain with the group at all times. If you do find yourself lost at any point, stay where you are and call for help. If you have a whistle, bring it.
Trail conditions: Trails may be slippery, ensure you're wearing ice spikes if recommended.
The area around Long Point Conservation Area and Port Rowan has a rich indigenous history. The location along the north shore of Lake Erie made it a popular place for Indigenous people, who called this area their home over the centuries. The abundance of flora, fauna, and fish made it a perfect location for various Indigenous groups, including the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Neutral, and the Mississauga.
Many artifacts have been found in the area, including arrowheads that are still found in field areas around the county. Due to its location, the county was one of the earliest places reached by explorers as they journeyed towards inland North America. In 1626, Larochee-Daillon and two other Frenchmen arrived in the area and spent three months with the Neutrals Indigenous nation. Another two Jesuits would visit the area in 1640. On July 6, 1669, the French explorers De Galinee and Dollier de Casson reached the area of what is now Port Dover and explored throughout the area, setting up a winter camp near current Port Dover.
The first white settlers in this area arrived from New England in the 1790s. William Smith came to the Long Point area in 1793 and settled where Port Rowan is today, which was the first community in the area and was called the Long Point Settlement. Norfolk County itself would be created as a constituency for the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada in July 1792. One year after the county was formed, Cartwright's Landing was established and named for John Cartwright, who had settled in the area. In 1819, the name would be changed from Cartwright's Landing to Port Rowan in honor of the secretary to the Lt. Governor of Upper Canada.
In 1866, the Long Point Company acquired most of the land on the peninsula, ensuring its ecological integrity. Since 1980, the area has been managed as a National Wildlife Area by the Canadian Wildlife Service. The Long Point National Wildlife Area is now the core area of the Long Point Biosphere Reserve, created in 1986, and has been recognized as a Ramsar site since 1982.
Port Rowan's population has fluctuated over the years, rising and falling between 400 and 1000 citizens. The Villages of Long Point Bay provided a boost to these figures when it began construction in 1998. Service clubs, the legion, and lodges enriched the lives of Port Rowan residents for many years, including the Lions Club, the Lioness Club, the Optimists, Branch No. 379 of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs, the Eastern Star, and Walsingham Masonic Lodge No. 174, which is the oldest organization in Port Rowan and has been there for more than 150 years.
This is the big one! We've got about 30 of us who've taken the day to catch what is probably a once-in-a-lifetime event. We've planned a day that is flexible according to what circumstances throw our way and should be a day we alway remember.
We've got two vans heading out to accommodate everyone - look out for the slightly different pick up spot. We've chosen a route that should avoid the worst of the traffic and get us down to Lake Erie. We'll start out down at Long Point, where depending on time, we'll either visit the beach or check out the Long Point Bird Observatory. Bird migration has started and this incredible little centre catches thousands of birds mid migration to band them, it's a magical thing to see happen.
We'll then head into the cute town of Port Rowan for a massive group lunch and takeover of the best restaurant there, Chef Stan's Saloon.
We're heading to a conservation reserve a little out of town to watch the big event. There'll be a 6km hike that spits us out at a large open area for an unobstructed view of the eclipse. The eclipse will take a total of 2.5 hours with 3.5 minutes of totality.
Check out what to expect in terms of eclipse timing here.
We've got a Solar Eclipse shared Spotify play list for the ride up - add your songs here!
The hike will be very easy but may be muddy.
07:50 - Those getting a ride meet at the car pull-in area just to the right of Keele Station as you leave the exit. This is where we normally drop you off after adventures. We will travel in 2 different vans
10:30 - Aim to arrive at Long Point Bird Observatory. Traffic may have other plans
12:15 - Drive to Chef Stan's Saloon for lunch. Google will say it's closed but they're opening for us.
14:00-16:30 - Hike at Backus Woods Conservation area during the eclipse. Totality begins at 15:16. There is a small parking area that should just about have enough room for us.
19:30 - Anticipated arrival back at Keele Station but this could be flexible based on traffic so don't plan anything early that evening!
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
General Notes
Although an easy hike, we could have slippery, muddy conditions so dress accordingly. We have 25 pairs of eclipse glasses - if you have your own, please bring them!
Shoes
Hiking boots are recommended for this trip.
Traction
We're not expecting much snow on the trail but if you have ice spikes, you should pack them. We have extras for those who need them.
Clothing packing list
It's also a good idea to bring a whistle in case you need to call for help.
Have any questions? Ask us on the Discord! Members who turn up dressed in a way that puts themselves at risk will not be able to join us.
Have breakfast before you meet us and bring at least 1l of water.
We'll be having lunch together as part of the day out.
We'll be providing eclipse viewing glasses and ice spikes for those who need them.
You should read all of the instructions in here carefully and make sure you've downloaded and installed the map! It's important that you listen to the guides and follow their instructions at all times.
Eye damage: Do not look directly at the sun unless you're wearing ISO certified eclipse viewing glasses. We'll have pairs for you to borrow. Once the sun is entirely occluded, during the portion of totality you will be able to remove them.
Getting lost: All hikers must remain with the group at all times. If you do find yourself lost at any point, stay where you are and call for help. If you have a whistle, bring it.
Trail conditions: Trails may be slippery, ensure you're wearing ice spikes if recommended.
The area around Long Point Conservation Area and Port Rowan has a rich indigenous history. The location along the north shore of Lake Erie made it a popular place for Indigenous people, who called this area their home over the centuries. The abundance of flora, fauna, and fish made it a perfect location for various Indigenous groups, including the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Neutral, and the Mississauga.
Many artifacts have been found in the area, including arrowheads that are still found in field areas around the county. Due to its location, the county was one of the earliest places reached by explorers as they journeyed towards inland North America. In 1626, Larochee-Daillon and two other Frenchmen arrived in the area and spent three months with the Neutrals Indigenous nation. Another two Jesuits would visit the area in 1640. On July 6, 1669, the French explorers De Galinee and Dollier de Casson reached the area of what is now Port Dover and explored throughout the area, setting up a winter camp near current Port Dover.
The first white settlers in this area arrived from New England in the 1790s. William Smith came to the Long Point area in 1793 and settled where Port Rowan is today, which was the first community in the area and was called the Long Point Settlement. Norfolk County itself would be created as a constituency for the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada in July 1792. One year after the county was formed, Cartwright's Landing was established and named for John Cartwright, who had settled in the area. In 1819, the name would be changed from Cartwright's Landing to Port Rowan in honor of the secretary to the Lt. Governor of Upper Canada.
In 1866, the Long Point Company acquired most of the land on the peninsula, ensuring its ecological integrity. Since 1980, the area has been managed as a National Wildlife Area by the Canadian Wildlife Service. The Long Point National Wildlife Area is now the core area of the Long Point Biosphere Reserve, created in 1986, and has been recognized as a Ramsar site since 1982.
Port Rowan's population has fluctuated over the years, rising and falling between 400 and 1000 citizens. The Villages of Long Point Bay provided a boost to these figures when it began construction in 1998. Service clubs, the legion, and lodges enriched the lives of Port Rowan residents for many years, including the Lions Club, the Lioness Club, the Optimists, Branch No. 379 of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs, the Eastern Star, and Walsingham Masonic Lodge No. 174, which is the oldest organization in Port Rowan and has been there for more than 150 years.
