Lambton Shores Nature Trails
Lambton Shores Nature Trails
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Youth Nature Challenge

  A very special thank you to the family and friends of Bill Niessen

whose generous donations have made this program possible.

192 of 200 badges remaining

The Program

What is the YOUTH NATURE CHALLENGE?

It’s a program to encourage youth to use the trails. You earn a badge for each season by participating for a full year. You can start in any season.


What do I have to do?

1. Figure out the trail you need to hike each season by using the clues and trail descriptions in this brochure.

2. Hike the trail sometime during the 3-month time frame (season). Somewhere along the trail is a signpost with a puzzle -- a scrambled word.

3. Unscramble the letters and record the word in your brochure.

4. Draw a picture in the box that matches the word (or use a separate piece of paper labelled with the season)..


How will I get my badges?

Once you’ve completed all four hikes, solved the puzzles and drawn your pictures, mail your brochure and pictures to:


Mary Lou Tasko

10158 Meadowlily Crescent

Grand Bend, On

N0M 1T0


Be sure to include your name and home address (on the front). We will mail your badges to you.


LSNT may use your illustrations for celebratory or promotional purposes!

The Clues

Spring

Spring

Spring

  (March 1 – May 31)

Along this track the TRAINS once zoomed

Now hikers watch the flowers bloom.

Summer

Spring

Spring

  (June 1 – August 31)

Beside the trail the RIVER flows

Upon the slopes the dune grass grows.

Fall

Winter

Winter

  (September 1 – November 30)

The OWLS will help you find your way

They watch the trailhead night and day.

Winter

Winter

Winter

 (December 1- February 28/9)   

Snowshoes may help to hike these trails

When fluffy powder drifts in SWALES.

Trail Descriptions

L-Lake Management Area

Ausable River Cut Conservation Area

Ausable River Cut Conservation Area

7101 Outer Drive, Port Franks

Easy

The L Lake Trail (1.5 km) is named for the L-shaped marshy lake that sits beside the property. The trail loop passes through cedar wetlands and mixed Carolinian forest.


Ausable River Cut Conservation Area

Ausable River Cut Conservation Area

Ausable River Cut Conservation Area

9984 Northville Crescent, Northville

Easy/Moderate

The Ausable River Cut Conservation Area Trails consist of three loops that share a single trailhead. The wheelchair-accessible loop with a StoryWalk® (500 m) passes through Carolinian forest and along the Ausable River Cut. A more challenging loop (2 km) leads through forest, over grassy sand dunes and along the Ausable River Cut. A shortcut across this loop bypasses a steep dune. On the river cut, the floating dock and attached launch is available during warmer months for canoes or kayaks. 


Forest Trails

12 Railroad Way, Forest

Easy

The Forest Trails consist of three separate trails: the out and back Grand Trunk Trail (4 km) which follows the old railway track, the Lagoon Loop (1.8 km) at the end of the Grand Trunk Trail, and the out and back paved Forest Walkway Trail (2.4 km) which leads to the Esli Dodge Conservation Area.


Ausable River Valley

West end of McDonald Drive, Middlesex County or

West end of Elm Tree Drive, Middlesex County

Difficult

The Ausable River Valley Trail (+6 km) follows the Ausable River across rugged terrain with steep gullies and inclines. The trail is long, and can be narrow, overgrown and muddy in sections, so it’s suitable for experienced hikers only.



Mystery Falls

*Ipperwash Dunes & Swales Nature Reserve

*Ipperwash Dunes & Swales Nature Reserve

West end of Elm Tree Drive, Middlesex County

Moderate/Difficult

The Mystery Falls Loop (4 km) is part of the Ausable River Valley trail system. Some sections of the trail are narrow and steep, but the beautiful waterfall is always worth the trek.  You can also hike 1 km directly to the falls from the parking lot.


*Ipperwash Dunes & Swales Nature Reserve

*Ipperwash Dunes & Swales Nature Reserve

*Ipperwash Dunes & Swales Nature Reserve

End of Richardson Drive, Ipperwash  

Easy

Two trail loops are accessed from a single trailhead. The Dunes and Swales Trail (4 km) winds through Carolinian forest over sandy ridges and wet swales. The Cedar Trail (1.5 km) features several cedar coves.


*Lambton County Heritage Forest

*Lambton County Heritage Forest

*Lambton County Heritage Forest

 9997 Port Franks Road, Port Franks

Easy/Difficult

Three separate but connected trails (3.1-6.6 km) loop through oak savanna and Carolinian forest. A wheelchair accessible path and StoryWalk® (550 m) are also available. The ‘Heart of the Trails’ trailhead and ‘Circle of Life’ showcase native plants and indigenous artwork such as paintings and owl, turtle and the ‘Seven Grandfathers’ carvings. 

*Forested Dunes Nature Reserve

*Lambton County Heritage Forest

*Lambton County Heritage Forest

7101 Outer Drive, Port Franks

Easy

Hikers can pick up the Forested Dunes Trail (3.5 km) at the halfway point of the L Lake loop. It’s an easy hike out and back to Mud Creek through the Forested Dunes Nature Reserve.


* Trails maintained by landowner.

Download The Brochure

Youth Nature Challenge Brochure (pdf)Download

congrratulations to some of our RECIPIENTS!


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