Location: We will meet at a common place on campus and leave from there. Participants will be notified (by email) of the meet-up location prior to the event.

Enjoy some summer time outdoors and meet new friends on our guided hike for incoming graduate students!

Graduate students beginning their journey in the fall are invited to explore the beautiful nature around McMaster’s main campus. Learn about Cootes Paradise, connect with other students, or just enjoy a brief walk in nature.

The hike is guided by members of McMaster’s Altitude team from Nature@Mac.

Register to attend this event

What to bring/wear

• Comfortable shoes
• Water bottles
• Sunscreen/Hat/Sunglasses

Route

• Access the Ravine Road trail on campus at Miller’s Grove, behind the football field.
• Follow Ravine Road trail until Westdale Creek, turn onto Sassafras Point trail
• Follow Sassafras point trail to the end, return to campus with the same route
• Duration of interpretive hike is approximately 90 minutes or more

Trail environment

• Forested, mostly shaded, great for hot days
• Somewhat hilly, generally easy terrain
• Gravel along Ravine Road trail, dirt along Sassafras Point trail
• Ravine Road trail is wide, Sassafras Point trail is narrower with some hilly sections
• Rest stops are incorporated at each hill and at the point

Cautions

• Ticks – Avoid stepping off the trail, or wear long socks over pants, use bug spray
• Poison Ivy – Avoid stepping off the trail, watch out for three leaves with red stem, if touched wash contact area thoroughly
• Hemlock Wooley Adelgid – Present on hemlock trees along Caleb’s Walk, appears like small fluffy white clumps on the branches of the trees, wash and dry clothes or use a lint roller after leaving the trail to prevent further spread

Points of interest on route

Westdale Creek

• Features exposed glacial beach rocks and some of the tallest trees on the Cootes Paradise property
• A local birding hotspot!

Sassafras Point lookout – Cootes Paradise Marsh

• Stunning, wide views of the marsh
• Good area to rest while taking in the picturesque scenery

Many native species can be seen on the trail. If you are interested in learning more about plants, birds, fish and other animals you may see on your hike, check out this Cool Native Species list.

If you sign up after spaces are filled, you will be placed on a waitlist and contacted if a spot becomes available.