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Find the Owl Trail, Ryders Loop here (13 photos)

Visit the Shore Ridges Conservation Area for beautiful views and a variety of trails to explore

Nestled in the far west end of Sault Ste. Marie is an ecologically sensitive and little known conservation area referred to as Shore Ridges. 

This pristine area features many different habitats among its beautiful views where you can study its geology, wetlands, shorelines, nature and wildlife. The trails have limited upkeep at this time of year, and now due to COVID-19 restrictions, but remain open for anyone wishing to use them passively.

I accessed these new to me trails on two occasions with plans to return to explore further. 

During my outings, I traversed an extremely easy portion known as the Beaver Trail which I found to have at the time great walk-ability with a relatively flat well packed and wide trail which looked to me like there had been time taken to groom likely by nearby residents.

There are many offshoot trails intertwined like "Owl Trail" or "Ryders Loop" and many others with interesting names but those are private trails that lead off the conservation area property and should be avoided.

If you would like more information on this conservation area you can visit Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority website where you will also find a downloadable brochure and trail map.

When accessing this area please practice responsible stewardship, use them for passive activities only and be prepared to carry out any garbage with you. It's very clear the surrounding residents value these trails.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Access to the Shore Ridges Conservation Trails is via an access road that is not for use by unauthorized vehicular traffic. Visitors can park on the side of Baseline Road to walk down the access road but they should keep in mind that they access the trails at their own risk. Residents in the area informed us that some of the trails continue on private property so visitors should be mindful of private property signs and not continue beyond them. 


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About the Author: Violet Aubertin

Violet Aubertin is a photograher and writer with an interest in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma's great outdoors
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