The Shore Ridges Conservation Area is 443 hectares (1100acres) of land including 366 metres (1200feet) of shoreline. Found within the city limits at the junction of Sunnyside Beach Road and Shatruck Drive, the area is easily accessible to residents and visitors alike. The Conservation Area has two trails for year round use by hikers or cross-country skiers. The upper Indian Ridge Trail offers a view from the escarpment and winds its way through hardwood forest. The lower Beaver trail is on a beach terrace surrounded by marsh. There are also lesser used trails such as the Deer and Grouse Trails. Click here to view the Shore Ridges Brochure
Indian Ridge Trail
The trail follows a portion of the route once used by the Ojibwa Indians as they traveled along the ridge from their camp at Gros Cap to the Hudson’s Bay Post in Sault Ste. Marie for trading.
The St. Marys River was an ideal trade route and gateway to the northern waterways. The Ojibwa and Iroquois Indians fought battles over its use. In 1663 about 2,000 Ojibwa warriors launched a surprise attack on the encamped Iroquois, near the present day Michigan Iroquios Point, at the mouth of the St. Marys River. The Iroquois were defeated, reducing their power and allowing the Ojibwa to remain. Today, archeologists are finding arrowheads and other artifacts used in such battles.
Geology
The Indian Ridge Trail follows the escarpment, giving visitors a striking view of Lake Superior and the surrounding forest. Below the ridge, you may want to investigate the freshwater spring, clay beds, natural erosion and fine sand deposits.
Vegetation
Along the trail you will notice a multitude of wildflowers, ferns, plants and trees. When you look at the forest, you will notice the line of birch trees at the bottom of the ridge that divide the hardwood from the softwood. Red oak, red maple and large tooth aspen cover the area at the top of the ridge. Striped maple, a unique tree identified by it slender green trunk marked with vertical white stripes, can be seen along the trail. Cedar and pine appear closer to the St. Marys River.
Wildlife
As you progress along the trail, you’ll hear the chatter of squirrels and chipmunks in the forest. Other common animals are deer, skunks and hares which inhabit the thick undergrowth. Although less likely to be seen fox and Canadian lynx are predators native to this area.
Beaver Trail
The Beaver Trail is located on one of the beach terraces formed thousands of years ago when the water receded from glacial Lake Nippissing. The terraces were created by erosion as the water moved progressively closer to the present day shoreline of the St. Marys River. As you move from the upper ridge to the Beaver Trail, you will be walking along a sandy path in the midst of swamp and forest. These provide natural walkways for wildlife and were once used by loggers.
Vegetation
Due to the varied environment, the area around the Beaver Trail contains a wide variety of plant life. The land north of the trail is swampy, providing rich, wet soil ideal for speckled alder. This tree can be identified by its white speckled bark and toothed leaves. On the other side of the trail, the land is much drier. Red maple, trembling aspen, sumac, willow and white birch grow here. You will also notice bracken fern, red and yellow hawkweed, the blue flag iris and the ox eye daisy along the trail. The trillium Ontario’s floral emblem flourishes throughout this area. The three-leafed, white flowered plant blooms in the spring. During the summer months, hikers may also find strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. Look for tamarack trees along the trail as well, it is the only conifer to shed its needles in the fall.
Wildlife
The plant life in this area attracts a number of mammals. Deer and moose visit the open areas to feed on vegetation in the swamps. Black bears have also been seen on occasion, feeding on summer berries. Birdwatchers who visit the trail will enjoy the varied species. You may catch sight of the broad winged hawk, sandhill crane and the great blue heron. More common are the cedar waxing, white throated sparrow, downy woodpecker and the red eyed vireo.
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