Out on the shores of Lake Huron near Kincardine, Nordic enthusiasts have the opportunity to discover 11 km of winter trails at Stoney Island Conservation Area.
This small woodlot is packed with a variety of sights and terrain to keep it interesting on 6 km of groomed X-country or Skate ski paths or try the 5 km of separate Snowshoe track.
A mixed forest of cedars and hardwood trees, this property slopes down to the lake with a steep hill halfway down that once was the shoreline of Lake Algonquin. This formed about 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. BTW the stoney island has all but washed away.
With trail names like Kamikaze Hill and Herringbone Hill, this should offset any lack of exercise from doing longer trails. Fear not, the Logging Trail can get you down on an easier grade.
As you get closer to the shoreline of Lake Huron I am sure you will feel it on windy days before you see it and even find snowdrifts on your trails. There is a lookout for a view over the water (or frozen ice) from the 15 metre bluff.
On the south side of the water’s edge, there is access to the stoney beach likely covered in mounds of frozen snow and ice. As the trails weave around there are eight small bridges to cross.
Snowshoeing consists of a few loops close to the clubhouse and one going down directly to the edge of the bluffs. From the map supplied there seems to be less than 5 km outlined. Actually, the total trail length for Stoney Island is truly undetermined as everywhere I looked had different numbers…Regardless, there is enough here for a few hours of fun.
A small dedicated Nordic club has for years maintained these trails, groomed them and replaced bridges.
Mere minutes north of the touristy town of Kincardine you will be able to find a hot meal and lodging there.
And that’s all I know from what I researched and one day I hope to visit. There is not much else around these parts, try MacGregor Point Provincial Park further up the road it has some easy track. So as a service to any of you who head out this way, you now have a destination.
