Conservation Halton Parks - Halton Region Ontario

Since I was the age of 13, I have hiked and enjoyed Conservation Halton parks.  They offer many outdoor activities such as, boating, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking and so much more. The best part is they are located just a short distance from major population centers.

Conservation Halton owns and operates six conservation areas, including Crawford Lake, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls, Kelso and Mount Nemo.

Mount Nemo from Rattlesnake Point

Crawford Lake Conservation Area – 468 hectare park that has a meromictic lake and a 15^th century reconstructed Iroquoian village. My favourite hiking trail is the Woodland and Nassagaweya Trail.

Reconstructed Iroquoian Village

Crawford Lake 

Mountsberg Conservation and Wildlife Center – 472 hectare park with over 16 kilometers of nature trails, a 202 hectare water control reservoir and home to the Mountsberg Raptor Centre. My favourite hiking trail is the Lakeshore Lookout Trail and visiting the various birds of prey at the Raptor Centre.

Mountsberg Reservoir

Owl at the Mountsberg Raptor Centre

Kelso Conservation Area – 980 acre park that includes a dam and reservoir that offers swimming and boating. It has over 16 kilometres of hiking and biking trails. My favourite hiking trail is the Escarpment Trail.

Kelso Conservation Area Lookout

Kelso Escarpment Trail

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area – 727 acre park that showcases the Niagara Escarpment sheer cliffs, crevices, caves to name a few.  My favourite hiking trails are the Vista Adventure Trail and the Buffalo Crag Trail. 

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area

Hilton Falls Conservation Area – 1592 acre park that has 33.5 kilometers of incredible hiking and biking trails. A trip to Hilton Falls is very worthwhile. My favourite hiking trails are the Red Oak Trail and Beaver Dam Trails.

Hilton Falls

Limestone outcrop at Hilton Falls

Mount Nemo Conservation Area – is a great location to explore the edge of the Niagara Escarpment for lookouts and the natural limestone ecosystems. My favourite hiking trail is North Loop Trail. Don’t forget to visit Brock Harris Lookout.

Brock Harris Lookout - Mount Nemo

Margaret beside Crawford Lake

The next time you are trying to decide where to go for outdoor activities, visit one of these great locations.

Some great resources check out:

www.escarpmentfund.ca

www.escarpment.org

www.brucetrail.org

Halton County Radial Railway & Streetcar Museum

The HCRY is one of the most interesting working museums I have had the chance to experience. It is located between the villages of Rockwood and Campbellville in Milton, Ontario.



The "Peter Witt Designed" Toronto Tranist Commission Streetcar - 1921 Livery

The museum contains some impressive treasures from the golden age of the streetcar. These include trolley busses, diesel buses and other railway vehicles.

TTC Streetcar



Headlight on one of the Streetcars

Margaret and I enjoyed jumping on the Peter Witt streetcar. This streetcar was restored to its 1921 livery and is continuing to take passengers around the museum site.




Interior of the "Peter Witt" Streetcar



Railway signal light



Original Toronto Subway - circa 1954



Rockwood Station



Railway push car



Passengers boarding

If you are looking to see a little bit of history, check out the Halton County Radial Railway.

Location Coordinates: 43° 34′ 46.2″ N, 80° 6′ 49.32″ W     UTM  17   571558   4825552



Canadian Pacific Railway caboose