Welcome to the Snowshoe Trails at North Bay Nordic!
From stream bed to the Ridge, through a variety of forest cover and frozen swamp, these trails will provide not only a picturesque and unique perspective on the Nordic setting, but a potentially invigorating tramp to challenge your stamina as well. Following a well marked trail with a variety of options you can design an experience to match your interests and ability.
The trail begins at the clubhouse at the top of the trail from the parking lot. You will find trail maps indicating your location at key points along the way. Crossing the open area and following the red markers you will soon reach the official start and enter an area of typical spruce, balsam and assorted tree species typical of the lowland forest. Be sure to give right of way to any skiers and cross the ski trails at right angles and with as little disruption to the track as possible.
With a few ups and downs, the trail gradually veers away from the yellow trail and heads toward a beaver meadow. After 3⁄4 of a kilometer you will encounter a trail intersection which directs you either to return to the clubhouse or to venture forward to the Ice Falls, the Ridge at Nordic etc.
From stream bed to the Ridge, through a variety of forest cover and frozen swamp, these trails will provide not only a picturesque and unique perspective on the Nordic setting, but a potentially invigorating tramp to challenge your stamina as well. Following a well marked trail with a variety of options you can design an experience to match your interests and ability.
The trail begins at the clubhouse at the top of the trail from the parking lot. You will find trail maps indicating your location at key points along the way. Crossing the open area and following the red markers you will soon reach the official start and enter an area of typical spruce, balsam and assorted tree species typical of the lowland forest. Be sure to give right of way to any skiers and cross the ski trails at right angles and with as little disruption to the track as possible.
With a few ups and downs, the trail gradually veers away from the yellow trail and heads toward a beaver meadow. After 3⁄4 of a kilometer you will encounter a trail intersection which directs you either to return to the clubhouse or to venture forward to the Ice Falls, the Ridge at Nordic etc.
Proceeding past this point you cross first a bridge over a ditch and then a bridge over the main stream, eventually encountering another intersection defining the longer loop to the Ice Falls or the to the Ridge at Nordic. If you intend to complete the entire loop, the recommendation is to stay left via Three Dam Meadow and the Ice Falls. If you are intending to see the Ridge and return, venture to the right and proceed up a relatively steep track. The views from the top are well worth this effort!
But continuing along the lower stream bed has its rewards as well. This flat stretch parallels the creek bed for some time and then meanders through a dense coniferous stand.
Remarkably, when you reach a crossing of the Purple trail, the vegetation turns to deciduous forest, mostly maple, ash, poplars etc. Looking to your right you will see significant ice falls along the cliffs as well as debris from the 2006 windstorm.
The creek becomes more dominant from here, forcing the trail to its edge and providing a gurgling musical background to your hike, culminating in a bridge crossing at the beginning of Three Dam Meadow. The trail then keeps to the high land and parallels the Meadow with some serious dips and climbs. The tramp across the open beaver meadow can be blown in at times and could help you understand the concept of “breaking trail” if you are in the lead.
After another bridge crossing at the head of the Meadow, a steady uphill climb takes you to a morass of fallen trees. Nowhere is the destruction of the 2006 storm more evident. A short side trip cut through some of the deadfall takes you to the base of High Creek Falls for a spectacular view of a waterfall in winter.
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Note the nine trees lined up on top of each other forming an impenetrable wall!
From here a gradual uphill with a switch-back brings you to the Ridge at Nordic. Following along the upper cliffs provides numerous views of the valley and the various Nordic Trails. The white tailed deer are particularly evident here, often using our packed trails to help them move about in the otherwise deep snow.
When you reach a huge Glacial Erratic boulder (visible from the Red Trail) there is an opportunity to take Lookout Loop to the south providing remarkable views of both Trout Lake and Lake Nipissing. Recommended for seasoned hikers, the trail is well marked but not as well used and sometimes not tracked.
Carrying on from the boulder you begin the downhill to the switchback that meets the Purple Trail. Now you know why this was the recommended direction! From the intersection with the ski trail you reverse your direction to the first beaver meadow and typically continue to complete the original loop back to the clubhouse.
Note that throughout this venture (excepting Lookout Loop) you are within the ski trail loops and never very far from help if needed. The trails are well flagged and signed and are easy to follow with the rare exception being immediately after a major windy snowstorm.
Signs of wildlife are abundant. Tracks of hare, deer, fox, marten, otter and smaller mammals are common. Occasionally a wolf or a fisher visits the area. Grouse are likely to be seen, sometimes emerging from the snow in a burst of flapping wings. Evidence of their overnight stay under the snow with impressions of their wings as they depart is a special treat. Watch too for evidence of the pileated woodpecker, several owl species and numerous other smaller birds.
Pileated Wood Pecker Ruffled Grouse Grouse Wing flap from snow tunnel
