Coyote Lake Complex – NCC & Environ

The Coyote Lake Complex spans over 4,200 acres. The NCC-Parcel and NCC-Corner-Parcel provide opportunities for hiking and exploration. Trails are well developed in the NCC portion and challenging and requiring the grazing lease holder permission in advance.

A dead horse's hoof mushroom, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
A dead horse’s hoof mushroom, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.

A Complex Name. I call the collection of properties making up Coyote Lake a complex rather than a natural area. This reflects the variety of landownership and very different uses permitted on the parcels. In addition to individual landowners, there is Crown Land (both of the OC and PNT variety) and a land trust (Nature Conservancy of Canada, NCC).

Aliases given to various Coyote Lake areas for ease of description.
Aliases given to various Coyote Lake areas for ease of description.

NCC+. In total, there are more than 4,200 acres to explore excluding private land. Because of the number and diversity of the sites, I have given different parcels of land specific names. This page is about the ‘NCC-Parcel‘ and ‘NCC-Corner-Parcel‘. They cover about ~1,600 acres. The first is owned by NCC (hence its name) and the second is a PNT which has a grazing lease.

Hiking With Cows (not!). There are defined trails in the NCC portion and cow tracks in the PNT portion. Contact the lease holder before entering the PNT [2]. Nevertheless, the cow trails and supporting tracks have the potential for great hiking, snowshoeing, or possibly fat biking – just make sure you don’t invite the cattle!

Area Description. Assuming you have permission, this area has rolling topography with numerous wetland depressions. Tamarack-black spruce/sphagnum peatland, willow/birch shrubland, sedge meadows and small sloughs are common. The upland vegetation consists of aspen and balsam poplar forests, with some areas of white spruce [1].

Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.

The Fast Facts – NCC Portion

The Fast Facts – NCC-Corner (PNT) Portion

NCC – Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Private Land owned by NCC.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 5/5:
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 75 KM
  • Trail Classification: Rating: 64; Access: Granted; Develop: Earthen Track. ; Maint: Serviceable; Season: All Season: Open all season, best for snowshoeing rather than skiing.

NCC-Corner – Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council, Protected Notation Natural Area.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 2/5:
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 75 KM
  • Trail Classification: Rating: 16; Access: Granted; Develop: Traditional Trail. ; Maint: In Disrepair or Abused; Season: All Season: Four season but with lease holder permission, lots of bushwhacking at times or following cow trails.

Other Details

  • The Drive Out: Stop for donuts in Calmar (closed Sunday and Monday).
  • The Other Shoe: Foot based activities (e.g. hiking, XC-Skiing, Snowshoeing).
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2024-10-29. Weather: Warm’ish and very sunny, in the single digits. Comments: Done with AMA and company.

(On smart phones, swipe to advance the pictures)

  • Example of excellent signage, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Example of excellent signage, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Supporters of the site, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Supporters of the site, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • The Hopkins cabin, closed to the public, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    The Hopkins cabin, closed to the public, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Hikers walking South toward the lake, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Hikers walking South toward the lake, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Looking South down a utility right of way which forms the Eastern border of NCC-Parcel, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Looking South down a utility right of way which forms the Eastern border of NCC-Parcel, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Exploring the West Boundary Trail, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Exploring the West Boundary Trail, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Hikers exploring the East border of the former industrial area in the site, NCC-Corner PNT Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Hikers exploring the East border of the former industrial area in the site, NCC-Corner PNT Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Hikers stopping for lunch along a cow trail, looking North, NCC-Corner PNT Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Hikers stopping for lunch along a cow trail, looking North, NCC-Corner PNT Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • An interesting red lichen on a snow covered tree, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    An interesting red lichen on a snow covered tree, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Wet area in the former industrial area, note the thistles, NCC-Corner PNT Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Wet area in the former industrial area, note the thistles, NCC-Corner PNT Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • One of a number of small depressions in the general area, this one about 200 M South of TWP 500 and in the NE corner; note the cattle trampling, NCC-Corner PNT Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    One of a number of small depressions in the general area, this one about 200 M South of TWP 500 and in the NE corner; note the cattle trampling, NCC-Corner PNT Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Looking East from NCC into the adjoining private land, West Boundary Trail, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Looking East from NCC into the adjoining private land, West Boundary Trail, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Looking North from the NW corner of the NCC lands into the NCC-Corner parcel (top left) with private lands being in the bottom right and top left, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Looking North from the NW corner of the NCC lands into the NCC-Corner parcel (top left) with private lands being in the bottom right and top left, NCC+ Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
  • Walking South along RR44 toward the NCC site, Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.
    Walking South along RR44 toward the NCC site, Coyote Lake Complex, 2024-10-29, P. Potter.

Notes and Reference

  1. Opening comment, Coyote Lake Natural Area | SAPAA.
  2. Accessing provincial grazing reserves.

Usage: This site is intended for my personal use only and very select invited guests. My recommendation is for you to stay in bed with the covers pulled firmly over your head.