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The Crawford Lake Conservation Area is a naturalenvironment park that is managed by ConservationHalton. The 468 hectare park includes uniquegeological features, extensive forests, a raremeromictic lake and a 15th century reconstructedIroquoian village. The conservation area hassignificant natural habitat with a wide diversityof flora and fauna and approximately 19 km ofnature trails.

Geology & the Niagara EscarpmentCrawford Lake is located on the Niagara Escarpment,Southern Ontario�s most significant landform whichwinds 725 km from Queenston to the islands offthe Bruce Peninsula. In Ontario, the NiagaraEscarpment has more than 100 sites of geologicalsignificance including some of the best exposuresof rocks and fossils of the Paleozoic Era (235-570million years ago), to be found anywhere in the world.Many interesting geological features occur at or nearthe Crawford Lake Conservation Area. A large islandof bedrock (Milton Outlier) that was separated fromthe main escarpment includes well known landmarkssuch as Rattlesnake Point, Kelso Heights and theNassagaweya Canyon.

Crawford Lake, A Time Capsule ofNatural and Cultural HistoryCrawford Lake is a rare meromictic lake that containsinformation about the natural and cultural history ofthe area. Located atop the Niagara Escarpment, thissmall deep body of water has limited circulation andlittle oxygen below 15 metres (total depth of 24metres). This ensures the preservation of annualdeposits of sediment called varves. Similar tocounting growth rings on a tree, these doubledlayered bands can be accurately dated. Studies ofthe sediment led to the discovery of the nearbyIroquoian village.

Life on the Limestone LandscapeThe extensive forests and escarpment cliffs atCrawford Lake provide habitat for a wide diversity offlora and fauna. The shallow calcium rich soil androcky outcrops sustain many unique plants (eg.,the maidenhair spleenwort and walking fern, thecarnivorous sundew and the exquisite yellow lady�sslipper). Warblers and woodpeckers abound whileTurkey Vultures can be seen soaring through theNassagaweya Canyon. White tailed deer, raccoons,chipmunks and red squirrels are some of thecommon mammals found at Crawford Lake.

Support Conservation! Visit the Crawford Lake Gift Shop!

Visit our unique gift shop and take home areminder of your visit to Crawford Lake.

·Native Crafts·Birdfeeders and Guidebooks·Garden Ornaments·Jewellery·Cozy Candles

and much more!

Conservation HaltonConservation Halton is a community basedenvironmental agency that protects localecosystems and contributes to the quality of life incommunities throughout its area of jurisdictionknown as the watershed. The Crawford LakeConservation Area is part of more than 9000 acresof conservation lands that are being protected andare available for recreational and educationalexperiences.

Conservation Halton2596 Britannia Road WestR.R. #2 Milton, Ontario L9T 2X6

Telephone:(905) 336-1158Fax:(905) 336-7014Web site: conservationhalton.on.cae-mail:admin@hrca.on.ca

Crawford LakeTelephone:(905) 854-0234Fax:(905) 854-2448e-mail:crawlake@hrca.on.ca

Crawford Lake TrailsCrawford Lake has approximately 19 km of colour coded trails consisting of a series of overlapping loops

and a connecting trail to the Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Interpretive stations are located on the

boardwalk surrounding Crawford Lake and at the Niagara Escarpment Lookout.

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PROTECTING THE NATURALENVIRONMENT FROM LAKETO ESCARPMENT

Note: Trail distances are measured from the startof trails and are estimates only.

Crawford Lake Trail1.4 km (30 minutes)This elevated boardwalk around Crawford Lakesurrounds the environmentally sensitive shorelineand forest. The boardwalk offers severalinterpretive stations explaining the formation ofthe lake and its colourful natural and humanhistory.

Woodland Trail1.5 km (45 minutes)A hard-packed trail that easily accesses a cross-section of escarpment features including CrawfordLake�s scenic woods and wetlands. Participate ina self-guided �Moccasin Walk� as you enjoy theinspirational signs posted along the way.

Pine Ridge Trail3.6 km (1 hour 30 minutes)This natural earthen trail takes you through rollingwoodlands, pine plantations and open meadows.A wide panoramic view of surrounding escarpmentlands can be seen from atop a massive glacialridge. This trail is a loop that begins and ends onthe Woodland Trail.

Escarpment Trail2.4 km (1 hour)This natural trail winds through rocky woodlandsand along the brow of the Niagara Escarpment.A highlight is the lookout where interpretivecairns and resting benches are located.

Nassagaweya Trail(NOT A LOOP)(to Rattlesnake Point C.A.)7.2 km (approximately 2 hours one way)This natural earthen trail crosses the NassagaweyaCanyon and follows the escarpment brow to theRattlesnake Point Conservation Area whereseveral excellent lookouts are located. About 4-5hours is required to complete a return trip onthis trail.

Please help protect this sensitivearea by following our trail regulations.

Trail Regulations·No bicycles on trails.·No fishing, swimming or boating.·Dogs must be kept on leash and out of lake.·Stay on marked trails (caution � poison ivy!)·Refrain from walking on cross-countryski tracks.

·Take only photos and walk softly on the earth.·Horseback riding by permit only.

Thank you.

ANDVILLAGEGUIDE

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TRAILTRAIL

Bruce Trail�s Main Route725 kmThis well known Ontario hiking trail follows theNiagara Escarpment from Georgian Bay to theNiagara River. It passes through Crawford LakeConservation Area where the main trail is markedby white painted blazes on trees and secondaryaccess trails are blazed in blue.

Snowshoe Trail3.4 km (1 hour 30 minutes)This trail has been designed with snowshoers inmind. Enjoy the beauty of winter as you windyour way through field and forest.

Step Back In Time �Village GuideThis 15th century Iroquoian Village was re-constructed on its original site to create a uniqueopportunity to expand our understanding andappreciation of Ontario�s First Peoples. Threesources of information were used in reconstructingthe village.

1. Archaeological research determined the exactlocation of various structures such aslonghouse posts and fire pits.

2. Written records from the Jesuit missionaries& early explorers provided some details onthe above ground features such as thelonghouses, palisade walls, & other villagestructures.

3. Aspects of the traditional Iroquoian lifestylehave been shared with us through the oraltraditions and cultural practices of the First

Nations communities & Elders stillhonouring these traditions today.

To help you explore and enjoy the village, weencourage you to read the Silent Watersinformation signs located throughout the village.

Three Sisters� GardenAll Iroquoian people were traditionally farmers whogrew three main crops; corn, beans, and squash,known to the people as the Three Sisters. Thesewere planted and cultivated in extensive fieldssurrounding the village. Tobacco and sunflowers mayhave been grown within the village.

The PalisadeArchaeological excavations revealed no evidence ofa palisade wall at the Crawford Lake site. However,many other excavated villages of this time periodwere enclosed with a palisade like the one built hereto secure the village today. The lookout platformsprovided a vantage point from which to �keep aneye� on the activities in the fields, the village, andthe surrounding woodlands.

The Turtle Clan LonghouseThis is the smallest of the longhouses that wereuncovered at the site during the archaeologicalexcavations. A longhouse of this size would likelybe home to 30-40 family / clan members, (multi-generational and all related on the mother�s side ofthe family). Other longhouses discovered here wouldhave been home to larger family groups/clans up toapproximately 100 people. The Turtle clan longhouseis designed to provide visitors with a hands-onexperience of what it would be like to live in alonghouse 500 years ago.

The Wolf Clan LonghouseThe Wolf Clan Longhouse is a modern day learningfacility that is designed to help visitors learn moreabout Iroquoian culture, and archaeology throughthe use of exhibits, displays, and videopresentations.

Village PopulationThe population of a village is determined by thenumber and size of the longhouses discovered. Thisreconstructed village had 5 longhouses and it isestimated that approximately 250 people lived herein the mid-1400�s.

The Longhouse PeopleAlthough the people who originally lived in this village were Iroquoian, they were not the Iroquois. This canbe confusing since Iroquoian is often thought to mean the same as Iroquois. However, the two terms arevery distinct. Iroquoian is a general term which refers to several groups of people who share similar languagesand cultural practices. Some of these groups or Nations include the Wendat (Huron), Attiwandaron (Neutral),Tionontati (Tobacco/Petun), and the Haudenosaunne (Iroquois). The name Iroquois specifically refers to theFive (now Six) Nations (traditionally in northern New York State) that joined to form the confederacy calledthe League of the Iroquois (known to themselves as the Haudenosaune or �People of the Longhouse�).Crawford Lake is a fascinat-ing place to learn moreabout the traditionalIroquoian lifestyle becausethis area is located alongthe traditional boundarybetween the Wendat(Huron) and the Attiwan-daron (Neutral) people. Infact, archaeological re-search indicates that theCrawford Lake area wasoccupied by the ancestorsof both of these Nations atvarious time periods [i.e.,the Wendat (Huron) in the13th, 14th, and 15thcenturies and theAttiwandaron (Neutral) inthe 15th, 16th, and 17th

Share in the Discovery all year long!Visit Crawford Lake every season and experience its

unique cultural and natural heritage programs.

Season of the Snowsnake(January and February)Longhouse tours, guided snowshoe hikes andsnow shoe rentals, cross-country skiing, craftsand discover snowsnakes.

Sweet Water Season(March and April)Native style maple syrup presentations completewith corn bread. Crafts, longhouse lore and agreat fun-filled festival.

Season of Many Frogs Peeping(April � June)Wildflower wonders, crafts, Earth Day Celebration,Kid�s Day, hiking and more.

Season of the Three Sisters(July and August)Longhouse lore, Three Sisters Garden, crafts,native games and lakeside sharing.

Season of the Falling Leaves(September � November)Autumn splendour of colours, longhouse lore, fallfestivals and lots of fun for everyone!

Season of the First Frost(November and December)Hiking, longhouse tours, crafts, discovery displaysand exhibits.

OPEN ALL YEAR!7 days a week

(limited facilities on weekdays from April - Nov.)

Guided programs/tours(reservations required 905.854.0234 ext. 221)

Hours of Operation:10am to 4pm

(unless otherwise posted/specified)

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The Iroquoians and their neighbours in the early 1600�s.

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Mountsberg � (905) 854-2276Raptor Centre, maple syrup demonstration, wildlife,

biking and hiking

Hilton Falls � (905) 854-0262Hiking, biking and cross country skiing, Bruce Trail, waterfall

Rattlesnake Point � (905) 878-1147Scenic cliff lookouts, hiking, rock climbing, group camping

Mount Nemo � (905) 336-1158Cliff edge trails, scenic lookouts, crevice caves, hiking

Kelso/Glen Eden � (905) 878-5011Sandy beach, boat rentals, hiking and biking,downhill skiing, snowboarding, group camping

Visit these other Conservation Halton parks for more great natural experiences