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Stoney Island Conservation Area
Stoney Island Conservation Area is located 4.8 km or 3 miles north of Kincardine Hospital on the west side of County Road 23 (the "B" Line). It has over 6 km of trails for cross-country skiing, and 5 km of snowshoe trails , all maintained by the Kincardine Cross-Country Ski Club. The trails are regularly groomed by club members for both classical and skate skiing. We have recently acquired a trail tenderizer which creates an excellent skating trail when the snow is good. Trails are also track-set for classical skiing. The trails pass through a mix of evergreen woods, more open forest and some meadows. The trail along the Lake Huron shoreline follows the route of the nineteenth century coaching road, with excellent views out over Lake Huron. There are flat trails for beginners in the upper section. For more adventurous skiers, there are several significant hills down the old Lake shoreline to the lower section of trails. There is a ski hut, and a car park, but no other facilities. There are several creeks which meander through this property and are traversed by hand-crafted bridges, initially built by the Ventures of Kincardine and area. This Conservation Area has been maintained by the Kincardine Ski Club for many years. Founded in December 1981, Kincardine Cross Country Ski Club is a small local club that provides enjoyable skiing to residents of the area. The club has close to 100 members and was incorporated in 1991. The Conservation Area is a 5 minute drive from the town. Trail fees and annual membership are the lowest in Ontario. FEESVoluntary Trail Fee (administered by the Kincardine Cross-Country Ski Club): individual $3 / family $5 / day Kincardine Cross-Country Ski Club Annual Club Membership Fee: 1) Individual $25 2) Family $40 We work on an honour system: put your payment in the metal box at the trail head. For annual membership, contact the treasurer, Karel Mika (see link below). (At some of high-end cross-country ski facilities you pay as much for a one day pass at weekends as our annual fee!) Parking at Stoney Island is free. We are a not-for-profit club run by volunteers. We share the work on trail improvements, grooming trails, removing fallen branches etc. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact one of us on the contact page. Cross-country skiing competitions are held annually at this location under the direction of the Kincardine Ski Club. HISTORYWhile you visit, see if you can solve the great disappearing island mystery. The Conservation Area’s namesake really does exist, but where? In 1849, Captain Duncan Rowan travelled to a small natural harbour in Kincardine Township that was formed by a small island and a shoal (which is located just south of the present day Stoney Island Conservation Area). He settled there that year and founded a shipping business and the Village of Port Head. This was the first official harbour facility and community in the township. The little community had a good sized steam sawmill, and a post office, called Port Head. The prospects of this little village were quashed, however, in 1857 by a mighty fall gale. The steamer “Ploughboy”, the island wharf and the storehouse, all belonging to the village founder, Captain Rowan, were dashed to ruins. After this storm, the island disappeared and the mill was closed down in 1858. Note: This park is maintained by the Kincardine Ski Club in cooperation with the SVCA. |
This 40 hectare property was purchased by Saugeen Conservation in 1977.
