FRIENDS OF THE ERAMOSA KARST · 2020-01-22 · Golf Course Heritage Green Sports Park Valley Park...
Transcript of FRIENDS OF THE ERAMOSA KARST · 2020-01-22 · Golf Course Heritage Green Sports Park Valley Park...
LOCATION AND CONTACTS
Entrance fees are collected at the gate. A fee schedule and reservation policy are posted at the entrance or visit: www.conservationhamilton.ca
Use your receipt towardsthe purchase of a HamitonConservation AuthorityMembership Pass.The pass is good for 12 consecutive months andentitles entry into HCAareas. Purchase your pass at the HCA main office.
For the latest event listings, outdoor guides and more, visit our website at: www.conservationhamilton.ca
BIOLOGYThe Eramosa Karst natural area is made up of meadow, thicket,woodland and forest remnant communities. It is located in theDavis Creek watershed. The forest area is made up of SugarMaple, Ironwood, Hawthorn, Gray Dogwood, White Ash, BlackCherry, American Beech, Red Oak, Butternut, Shagbark Hickoryand a variety of smaller native plants species. Living in these diverse habitats are numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects including wild turkey, coyote, white-taileddeer, meadow voles, and the cottontail rabbit. Red-eyed Vireos,Indigo Buntings, Savannah Sparrows and the Red-tailed Hawk arecommon birds found throughout this naturally rich area.
HERITAGE GREEN COMMUNITY TRUSTThanks to the Heritage Green Community Trust, the Eramosa KarstConservation Area opened on June 20, 2008 as a cornerstone ofHamilton Conservation Authority’s 50th anniversary celebration. The 180-acre site was offically transferred to HCA by the Province onOctober 23, 2006. The Heritage Green Community Trust, formerlyTaro Community Trust, donated $1.5 million to pay for the development and long-term maintenance of the conservation area.
The Heritage Green Community Trust was established in May 1997to provide support in the form of grants to community, educationalor charitable organizations of upper Stoney Creek. The HeritageGreen Trust successfully distributes grants to qualifying recipients ororganizations who clearly provide demonstrable benefits to residents in the City of Stoney Creek residing south of the NiagaraEscarpment and within three kilometres of the perimeter of theNewalta Soney Creek Landfill Site.
PETS AND AREA ETIQUETTEPets must be kept on a leash at all times and cannot be left unattended. Remove dog waste from the trail and dispose of it in the garbage.
Eramosa Karst Conservation AreaUpper Mount Albion Road, Stoney Creek, Ontario905-525-2181
Welcome to ERAMOSA KARST
The Eramosa Karst is filled with underground caves and streams,meadows and forests. This unique natural gem was the watershed’s first major conservation area to open in 20 years. Eramosa Karst is located in the southwestern section of theStoney Creek area of Hamilton. It exends from Highland Roadsouth to Rymal Road, and from Upper Mount Albion Road toSecond Road West. A perfect location for hiking, nature appreciation, and education, Eramosa Karst adds one moreunique feature to Hamilton’s natural inventory.
GEOLOGYKarsts are geological formations including underground drainage,caves and passages caused by dissolving rock, found in limestone formations like the Niagara Escarpment.
The Ministry of Natural Resources designated the Eramosa Karst landsas an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest in 2003, because it is believed to have the largest number of unique karst features in anysingle area in the province. The Eramosa Karst contains examples of 16 different karst features, several of which are provincially significant.These include: soil pipes, sinkholes, sinking streams, dry valleys and a335 metre-long cave (the tenth longest in all of Ontario).
Surface water and undrground water flows began carving out thislandscape we call “karst” about 13,000 years ago, after the last glacierretreated in this part of the province and meltwaters covered the land.Today, the drainage system sustains the karst and provides examplesof the erosion process and karst features in different stages of development.
EDUCATIONThe diversity of geological and hydrological features and its centrallocation in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, makes the Eramosa Karstone of the best sites in Ontario for education and research opportuni-ties. Protecting the Eramosa Karst’s unique network of features willensure that scientists, students and naturalists can continue to enjoythis natural resource for now and for generations to come.
HCA has developed Teacher’s Kits which help teachers conduct self-guided field trips. If you are interested in receiving a kit, pleasecontact our HCA Education Coordinator at 905-627-1233 or [email protected]
For self-guided hike information, please contact 905-525-2181 ext. 153
WHAT IS A KARST?The term “karst” comes from a Slavic word that means barren, stonyground. It is also the name of a region in Slovenia that is well-knownfor sinkholes and springs.
Geologists have adopted “karst” as the term for all such terrain. Theterm “karst” describes the whole landscape, not just a single feature.A karst landscape most commonly develops on limestone, because limestoneis a softer sedimentary rock which is easilyeroded over time by water. Karsts can alsodevelop on several other types of rocksuch as dolostone, gypsum and salt.
FRIENDS OF THE ERAMOSA KARSTThe Friends of the Eramosa Karst (FOTEK) is a group of citizen supporters formed to promote the preservation of 80 acres of environmentally significant feeder lands on the eastern border ofthe conservation area. Their efforts played a key role in securing thefeeder lands and bringing them into the boundaries of the conservation area. Since 2007, FOTEK has contributed more than$20,000 directly to the protection and enhancement of the EramosaKarst Conservation Area and donated more than 10,000 hours ofvolunteer time.
l Alcohol use and possession are prohibited. l Pack out what you pack in. l Please do not deface, remove, disturb or damage any property, plants,
birds, or mammals in the conservation area.
Bobolink
Saw-whet Owl
Local Access Point
Nexus Creek
Nexus Creek
Stewart Creek
Stewart Creek
Local Access Point
Nexus Cave Window
Nexus Cave Entrance
Fotek Corner
Pottruff Blind Valley
Stewart Creek Sink
Pheonix Creek Sink
Pottruff Cave
Old Quarry
Pottruff Spring
Amphitheatre
Pottruff Creek
Pottruff Homestead
Watercress Sink
Blue Hole Sink
Pheonix Creek
Kinney Creek
McGill Creek
Pottruff Creek
East Mountain Trail Loop
Local Access Point
Rymal Road East
Fletcher Road
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Willow Sink
Connection Trail
Connection Trail
Connection Trail
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Highland Road West
Richdale Drive
Shadetree Cresent
Fairhaven Drive
LEGEND
Conservation Area Boundary
Parking
Washroom
Picnic Pavilion
Glenhollow
Drive
0 100 m 200 m
Watercourse
Underground Stream
Area Closes at sunset. Emergency Information Call 911. Know what trail you are on.
Hamilton Conservation Authority:905-525-2181 Business Hours905-523-8787 After hours
Permitted Trail Use:
ERAMOSA KARST
Meadows Trail
Meadows Trail
Meadows Trail
Bobolink Trail
Bobolink Trail
Karst Features Trail
Karst Features Trail
Karst Features Trail
This 2.5 km trail is the most popular loop and travels through forest woodlands and open meadows. Highlights on the loop include the Nexus Cave window and entrance and the Potruff Cave.
Take the connection trail for a shorter 1.5 km loop.
Bobolink Trail
This 1.5 km connector loop extends off of the Meadows Trail taking you deeper into the open meadows and old hedge rows.
Meadows Trail
This 1.7 km trail travels through the open meadows of the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area. Take the Meadows Trail to connect with local access points. See where underground streams come to life in the springtime.
Stop halfway along the trail and visit the FOTEK corner.
King’s Forest Park
Glendale Golf Course
Heritage Green Sports Park
Valley Park
Eramosa Karst C.A.
Mount Albion
C. A.
Felker’s Falls C.A.
Oak Knoll Park
Glendale Falls
Albion Falls
Paramount Park
Bruce Trail
Bruce Trail
Buttermilk Falls
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6 km
7 km
8 km
9 km
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EAST MOUNTAIN TRAIL LOOP
The East Mountain Trail Loop is a result of the Red Hill Valley Open Space Replacement Strategy which identifies 85 ha of new public space for a multi-usetrail. It connects the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area to other HCA and City ofHamilton open space, parkland and waterfalls on the East Hamilton and StoneyCreek Mountain such as Felker’s Falls, Albion Falls, Valley Park and Mount AlbionConservation Area. The loop provides links to the Chippawa Rail Trail, Bruce Trail,Red Hill Valley, Trans Canada and Ontario Waterfront Trails. The project brings anew inventory of natural areas with strong connecting green corridors that provide significant human and wildlife habitat in EastHamilton. HCA’s 3.1 km share of the 10 km trailhas now been completed thanks to fundraisingby the Hamilton Conservation Foundation. As of this printing, some trail connections haveyet to be completed.
ERAMOSA KARST TRAIL MAP
Eastern Meadowlark