Jack Darling - Mississauga Park Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail in Winter

Though the Waterfront Trail along Lake Ontario in Mississauga is not maintained (kept clear of snow and ice) during the winter months, I decided to take my chances, as the snow was not too deep. On this chilly day, with a north wind blowing, I came to the lookout point at Jack Darling Park.

Toronto C N Tower Viewed across Lake Ontario from Jack Darling Park Lookout.

The lookout point at Jack Darling Park has arguably the best view of Toronto from this area, with the C N Tower the best landmark. This photo gives an idea of the distance from Mississauga, looking east to downtown Toronto - about 20 km (about 12.5 miles), though it may be less as the crow flies.

Lake Ontario Waterfront at Jack Darling Park, looking west towards Hamilton.

The weak winter sun highlighting the ice at the water's edge made a nice shot. And although I much prefer spring, summer and fall weather, I must admit, winter scenes can be lovely -- cold, snowy, wet, slushy, icy and miserable -- but sometimes, like now, quite lovely.

Close Up View of Beach at Jack Darling Park in Winter

Close up in my camera lens, the beach where water met sandy ice, looked like a still life drawing.

Canada Geese and Ice Covered Rocks - Lake Ontario Jack Darling Park Mississauga

Though I kept an eye out for any of the Canada Geese that might wander up to me looking for food, I managed to get a few shots of these geese at the shoreline. I loved how the colors of the rocky, sandy, snowy landscape matched the colors of the Canada geese. You can see how fluffy they are with their winter feathers.

The Waterfront Trail through the park is blocked in some areas as it heads west to Rattray Marsh. Construction in the park is ongoing throughout the winter, with completion set for Spring 2009. During construction, the leash free area has been removed, with many dog owners using nearby Rhododendron Gardens as a substitute leash free area, although the Gardens are NOT leash free.

Jack Darling Park is a Mississauga Ontario Canada Park. More Info at City of Mississauga (new page will open).

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UPDATE new pictures April 2009

See Google Map for Park location:


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Snow Melting Machines - Taking Care of Business at Parking Lot Mississauga Library Port Credit Ontario

Update December 31, 2009 - see photo bottom of page!
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Walking into Port Credit village in Mississauga (Ontario, Canada), it was hard to miss the large snow and ice mountain outside the library. Even harder to miss were the noisy, large, yellow snow melting machine and the front end loader that was busy feeding it large bites of snow and ice.

Snow Melting Machine and Truck

This photo shows the view from beside Hook's restaurant on Lakeshore Road, on the east side of the Credit River and Port Credit lighthouse.

Closer View : Snow Melting Machine Port Credit ON

The snow and ice are fed into the top of the unit, then melted, and the water runs down the sewer.

Close Up View - Snow Melter Machine

Making a mini lake in Mississauga: According to the company's web site (link at bottom for info), melting snow is more cost efficient than hauling it to a central dumping site, then waiting for Spring!.

Outside Mississauga Library at Port Credit

This photo shows the view from the library drive, looking roughly north from Lakeshore Road. A few years ago, I'd watched a smaller truck snow melter unit on a Toronto street. These more mobile machines drive slowly along the curb, the front of the unit sucking up snow banks, melting snow, then spitting out hot water.

Snow and Ice Pile beside library - Mississauga Canada

This is a picture of snow that's as far from a Winter Wonderland as possible! This dirty, gritty, frozen solid snow mountain looked set to stay. I took the photos above at around 2 p.m.

Night time snow Melter - Men Working, Still!

The snow melter and loader were still clearing snow and ice that night at 8 p.m. Though a little hard to see in this photo, the pile of snow has been reduced by roughly a third, maybe more. Just after I took the picture, the truck shifted the melter to the area that had now been cleared of ice. I have to wonder how late they kept working!

New Year's Eve Day - Still Working in Port Credit

I went into Port Credit at noon today, and the snow melter is still working! About 48 hours from when I first saw it. The snow and ice pile is nearly gone. The temp was about minus 10C (14 F) with gusty winds. The cold snap had more firmly frozen the snow mountain, and the loader was breaking chunks up with the shovel bucket. I took a short video of the snow melter in operation.

See my video of this machine in operation at YouTube
For information on how these types of ice and snow melters work, see this site.
For pictures of pretty snow, see this post from last January.
For more winter in Canada pictures and tips, see snow in Canada page.

What a difference a year makes!!

Lakeshore Road at Port Credit Library

 This picture, above, shows the same location December 31, 2009 at 2 p.m. Instead of a huge mountain of snow being melted, the parking lot is actually being used for parking. A light rain was falling, temp was about 4C (39 F). My kind of winter but I do sympathize with the snow removal contractors who are temporarily out of work.

Winter in Canada Fun: Snowshoeing B.C.'s Sunshine Coast and A One Horse Open Sleigh Ride at Whistler

North Sunshine Coast in Summer BC Canada

Laura at Vancouver (B.C. Canada) Coast and Mountains (see site) sends some information about winter in Canada fun -- snowshoeing at the Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area and a sleigh ride at Whistler. (Thanks, Laura!)

"Most people think of BC’s Sunshine Coast as a summer playground of sandy beaches, warm waters, summer cottages, and outdoor promenades. What you may not know is that the Sunshine Coast is an incredible winter playground, too.

"One of the locals’ favourite winter pastimes is snowshoeing. The Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area, located just past Roberts Creek (see summer pictures of Robert's Creek on my main site at http://www.snapshotjourneys.com/sechelt-bc.html ) is an ideal spot for snowshoers of all ages and abilities.

"Trek through snowy mountain forests, gentle hills, and wide ridges as bald eagles fly overhead. Access to Dakota Ridge is limited to 4X4 (4 Sheel drive) vehicles with chains, but the views make the journey worthwhile.

"From the parking area at Dakota Ridge you’re just a short trek away from a number of viewpoints that offer outstanding vistas of Georgia Straight, Vancouver Island, and Mount Baker. This is a truly special winter experience that is popular with all ages. For more details about Dakota Ridge visit www.scrd.ca"

And there's more winter fun north of Vancouver, at Whistler Blackcomb:

The Peak 2 Peak Gondola at Whistler Blackcomb grand opening is December 12, 2008. And in the spirit of the Chirstmas season, take a horse drawn sleigh ride through Whistler Blackcomb.

A horse drawn sleigh ride is a true Canadian winter adventure that anyone of any age group can enjoy. Horse drawn sleighs used to be the main form of rural transport in Canada, in the days before snowmobiles! Sleighs move on metal bottom runners that glide smoothly across the snow, pulled by Clydesdale-Percheron horses.

The sleighs at Whsitler Blackcomb, says Laura, are designed for comfort with padded bench seats and warm blankets – a thermos of hot chocolate is mandatory! Sleigh rides cost as little as $35.00 CAD (about $29 USD) per person.

Or, for $49.50 ($40 USD) to $99 ($80 USD) you can take a 30-35 minute ride through wooded trails beside Green Lake. More info at www.blackcombsleighrides.com