TRAIL SPECS:

Trail distance: 4.2 km

Total trail time: 2 hours

Total lookout elevation: TBA

Total trail elevation: TBA

Trail Parking: Free

Trail Rating: MODERATE

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       We made our way to the Lake Laurentian Nature Chalet and took advantage of the free parking.  The point loop trail is clearly marked with yellow markers.  We followed the stairs up to the first fork and turned left to follow the yellow trail up a steep hill. 

       Upon reaching the top of the hill (about 4 mins into the trail) we soon came to a sturdy wooden lookout which offered a fabulous view of the chalet and the central area of the lake.  The terrain was very rocky and there were mostly red pine.

       The trail skirted the edge of the cliff with a beautiful view at every clearing.  We climbed up and down along the edge until we eventually met up with the red trail.  We stayed left on the yellow trail and again skirted the edge a little more until we met the red trail one last time.

       The trail brought us down a steep hill and it split at the bottom.  The left trail goes to the first loop and the right goes to the second.  Both are clearly marked.

       We took loop #1 first and noticed an increasing number of white birch and white pine.  We made sure to continue straight across the portage trail which crosses both loops.

       The first loop took us around the Eastern end of the peninsula.  It was much closer to water-level, but there were a few hills and turns to keep it interesting until we emerged on the rocky point.  There were many jack pines on the point.

       We then circled around to the south end where we could see the sparsely vegetated island.  The rocky shore of the peninsula made for many photo-ops.

       We eventually made it back to the fork and took the second loop trail.  We were quickly engulfed by a majestic birch forest.  We could notice board walks under the snow to cross the water parts of the trail.  The second loop took us around the western part of the peninsula, which seemed more like an island since we had to cross a small bridge to get to it.  Soon after we crossed the bridge, the trail forked.  We took the right path which lead up a rock into some jack pines.  We saw a partridge at the top and it flew away right away.

       We followed the trail down the other side of the rock where the terrain leveled off and got more birchy.  We eventually made it to the Western point where there was a lonely birch tree.  

       Walking along the southern shore, we noticed a hole where the beavers came out to the shore from under the ice.  We also found the burrow of what we believed was a medium sized mammal.

       We completed the loop and made our way back to the fork.  We climbed the hill and decided to take the red trail back. 

       The red trail was more direct, but didn't have the cliff-side views of the yellow trail.  What it lacked in views, it made up in wildlife.  We saw two more partridge on our way back.  The red trail joined up with the yellow at the top of the steep hill. We followed the trail down to the stairs on the right which lead back down to the parking lot.

       There were foot paths and evidence of ice-fishing all over the lake.  All the trails in this conservation area are extremely well marked so that beginner hikers can find their way. There are even 911 code posts along the way if anyone requires help inside the trail systems.