Sassafras Point Prescribed Burn
The Royal Botanical Gardens has just reopened Sassafras Point Trail, after closing it in 2004 to allow for a series of controlled burns. The point area had come under attack from invasive insects and plants, which threatened the 400 year old oak tree savannah. Prescribed burns in 2004, 07, 08, 09 and 2010 were used to deal with the problems.
For a video of the burns go here .....
Controlled Burn Sassafrass Point
For A fairly detailed desription of the whole process and results.... go here.....
RBG prescribed burns
This was one of our favourite trails in this area, and we're happy to see it back in operation..... It's got great views of Cootes Paradise all year long, especially the farther out you walk.
You can get to the Sassafras Point Trail head from Ravine Road Trail, or Caleb’s Walk Trail, (see parking and trail head coords below).
The Cache
The cache itself is about 1/4 of the way along the trail out to the point, about 4 meters off the hardpack...... You will have to reach inside, back towards the trail...
It is NOT the very obvious stump on the trail !!! too many muggles when we tried that !!
.......if you want to continue to the water and a view of Cockpit Island, walk about 15 minutes past your find....
On Royal Botanical Gardens property, it is mandatory to stay on open trails as much as possible.... they graciously allow us to place caches on their grounds, provided we follow that simple rule.... There are a number of rare and protected species sprinkled throughout the properties, and they take their mandate seriously, as you can easily tell observing all the effort that went into reclaiming Sassafras Point !!.
Winter friendly to about 45 cm of snow.