On the first day of July I hiked along the edge of the McQueen Lake area to the Grasslands Community Trail, then looped back through the upper grasslands around Clay Lake, then followed an old double track on to the flank of Clapperton Hill, and back through the grasslands – open forest to the start.

The whole route was around Clay Lake and I stopped on the lakeshore at two points.  

The upper grasslands had longer grass and many wildflowers.    I checked out the Joe Reid Homestead (1912), and a number of marshy ponds along the way.     All photos from the hike.    Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.

meadows at the southeast end of the McQueen Lake area

marsh at the foot of Clapperton Hill in the Conservancy

Joe Reid Homestead (1912) on Clay Lake

Meadow Pond on the Grasslands Community Trail

Smiling Pond

a checkerspot on gallardia

A bit of video footage shares some of the moments of this enjoyable hike: