McCrae lake is an absolutely gorgeous conservation reserve at the Southern end of the Canadian Shield. We'll follow a trail through the forest that ultimately ends up at an epic scenic lookout where we'll stop for lunch.
As always, we’ll hike together and nobody will be left behind at any point.
Hike Length: 8km
Terrain: There's relatively little elevation gain on this trail making it an easy hike but there are a couple of steeper hills. With the rain we've had this past week it may be muddy so you'll want to watch your footing.
At 2km on the map there's the incredible Eagle's Nest lookout. 4km in is a good turnaround point - you may need to bushwhack a bit to get down to the lakeshore of a beautiful lake with a decent lookout that makes a good spot for lunch.
Estimated time to complete: 4 hours with breaks and exploration time.
08:20 - Meet at PetroCanada next to Keele Subway Station. There's free parking on Keele Street north of the station. Make sure you've had breakfast and used the washroom before meeting us!
08:30 - Van leaves. Please note that we'll be leaving dead on time and can't wait for latecomers so please, please be on time!
10:15 - Meet self drivers at the McCrae Lake Car Park. We can't wait for self drivers so please be on time.
N.B. This parking lot often gets full and they'll tow cars parked illegally so make sure you read the parking restrictions very carefully - YOUR CAR WILL BE TOWED. If the area is full, we'll park the van at the overflow car parking here.
10:30 - Begin hike, eating lunch en route
15:00 - Anticipated return to cars
17:00 - Rough arrival time back at Keele Station
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
It will be unusually warm and likely muddy. There's also a good chance of rain in the afternoon so you'll want to be dressed in layers for all eventualities.
Shoes
Hiking boots are strongly recommended for this trip. Regular sneakers are not suitable
Packing list
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a litre of water for the hike.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cliffs - Keep away from any steep drops.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times, follow the instructions of the guides and download both the map referenced above as well as What3Words. You can't rely on having reception while out in the woods.
Ticks - Tick season has started again and they're active in the area we're visiting. Black Legged Ticks have the risk of carrying Lyme disease so it's important that you check yourself thoroughly after each hike. You're also recommended to have your legs covered so it's harder for them to latch on.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
McCrae Lake and the surrounding area is on the traditional territory of the Huron Wendat, Anishnabek and Mississauga Nations
McCrae lake is an absolutely gorgeous conservation reserve at the Southern end of the Canadian Shield. We'll follow a trail through the forest that ultimately ends up at an epic scenic lookout where we'll stop for lunch.
As always, we’ll hike together and nobody will be left behind at any point.
Hike Length: 8km
Terrain: There's relatively little elevation gain on this trail making it an easy hike but there are a couple of steeper hills. With the rain we've had this past week it may be muddy so you'll want to watch your footing.
At 2km on the map there's the incredible Eagle's Nest lookout. 4km in is a good turnaround point - you may need to bushwhack a bit to get down to the lakeshore of a beautiful lake with a decent lookout that makes a good spot for lunch.
Estimated time to complete: 4 hours with breaks and exploration time.
08:20 - Meet at PetroCanada next to Keele Subway Station. There's free parking on Keele Street north of the station. Make sure you've had breakfast and used the washroom before meeting us!
08:30 - Van leaves. Please note that we'll be leaving dead on time and can't wait for latecomers so please, please be on time!
10:15 - Meet self drivers at the McCrae Lake Car Park. We can't wait for self drivers so please be on time.
N.B. This parking lot often gets full and they'll tow cars parked illegally so make sure you read the parking restrictions very carefully - YOUR CAR WILL BE TOWED. If the area is full, we'll park the van at the overflow car parking here.
10:30 - Begin hike, eating lunch en route
15:00 - Anticipated return to cars
17:00 - Rough arrival time back at Keele Station
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
It will be unusually warm and likely muddy. There's also a good chance of rain in the afternoon so you'll want to be dressed in layers for all eventualities.
Shoes
Hiking boots are strongly recommended for this trip. Regular sneakers are not suitable
Packing list
Grab breakfast before you go. There's a Tims around the corner from our meet-up point.
Bring a packed lunch, snacks and at least a litre of water for the hike.
Hiking injuries - Wear appropriate footwear (ankle high hiking boots) and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles.
Cliffs - Keep away from any steep drops.
Getting lost - Stay with the group at all times, follow the instructions of the guides and download both the map referenced above as well as What3Words. You can't rely on having reception while out in the woods.
Ticks - Tick season has started again and they're active in the area we're visiting. Black Legged Ticks have the risk of carrying Lyme disease so it's important that you check yourself thoroughly after each hike. You're also recommended to have your legs covered so it's harder for them to latch on.
We like to share some of the indigenous background of the areas we visit because these territories have rich histories that are easy to overlook. Indigenous communities have a connection to and respect for the land that has largely been lost since European settlement. As we strive to form a deeper connection with the land, we have much to learn from these communities. I use the Native Land map to learn more about these areas and find that developing a richer understanding leads to a greater enjoyment of the adventures.
McCrae Lake and the surrounding area is on the traditional territory of the Huron Wendat, Anishnabek and Mississauga Nations
