Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area

MACAULAY MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION AREA

Whatever your hiking interests, they are available at Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area. Located on County Road 8 (Union Street), on the eastern outskirts of Picton, this 440-acre conservation area offers easy hiking in the lowland area, more rugged trekking on the escarpment portion, or a pleasant family walk along a series of gravelled paths along the Whattam’s Memorial Walkway. Purchased by the Prince Edward Region Conservation Authority (now Quinte Conservation) in 1975, the property comprises a wide diversity of habitat here, ranging from a steep east to west escarpment, lowland and a high limestone plateau. The wooded escarpment boasts an interesting mixture of hickory, ironwood, oak and maple, with one large ridge containing a hemlock forest. The deciduous forest in summer is alive with bird song as resident winter wrens, rose-breasted grosbeaks, wood thrushes and great crested flycatchers proclaim their territory.

Originally containing some 12 km of hiking trails, the system has since been expanded to about 25 km, thanks to the efforts of the Bloomfield Bicycle Club who maintain the trails in exchange for their use of them. Hikers should always be mindful that mountain bikers do use this trail occasionally, and you should make an effort to be on the watch for them, particularly in areas that are a bit dense. The trail system links up to the popular Whattam’s Memorial Walkway, created in 1989 as a partnership between a local funeral home and the conservation authority. Over 1,000 trees have been planted here in memory of lives lived, each one plaqued with a name. The gravel pathways lead across wooden bridges and beside numerous benches in this peaceful and attractive area. The walkway is bisected by Macaulay Creek. During the past decade, the trees have benefited from ideal growing conditions, in many areas now offering a treed canopy under which to walk. The trail continues to the Macaulay House Museum, at the west end of the property, or hikers can loop back around and return on any one of a number of walking paths to the parking lot.

Macaulay Mountain is also the location of famous Birdhouse City, founded in 1980 by the late Doug Harnes, a former superintendent with Quinte Conservation who had a passion for wood. Through his efforts and those of volunteers, a city containing nest boxes for birds was created, many of them miniature replicas of historic buildings in the county. Today, Birdhouse City is maintained by the Friends of Birdhouse City. Although there are no designated walking paths in the complex, hikers have the opportunity to wander around this city of over 100 bird houses.

A picnic shelter and a spacious recreational area round off the amenities contained here at this popular conservation area just outside of town. From Bridge Street/Highway 33 at the east end of Picton, follow Union Street from the Tip of the Bay Motel and Marina, and continue for about a kilometre. Union Street becomes County Road 8 at the town limits and the entrance is located at Civic Address #224.

PHOTO CREDITS:

1) Macaulay Mountain is gorgeous in the fall of the year as the maples and sumac begin to don their autumn garb
photo by Terry Sprague (October, 1990)

2) This reproduction of the old Massassauga Park Hotel actually founded Birhouse City at Macaulay Mountain. Today, well over 100 bird houses, many patterned after homes and other structures in the county attract a large crowd annually.
photo by Terry Sprague (March, 2006)