Cliff Lake Conservation Reserve

Just a short boat ride from Bay-Lee-Mac Camp on Rib Lake and a short scenic hike will bring you to Cliff Lake.  The Cliff Lake Conservation Reserve contains 2,947 hectares of old growth red and white pine stands, as well as yellow birch and sugar maple.  The trees are small in height and don’t look nearly as old as they are because they have grown slowly in the shallow soil conditions.  The reserve was created on April 21, 2001 in order to protect this area for all to enjoy.

Cliff Lake is aptly named for the impressive cliffs along its eastern shore.  These cliffs are a fine example of a rare stoss moraine.  A moraine is any landform that was created  by glaciers.  It is made up of  debris left behind by the glacier as it retreated from the area and of rock that was scraped and shaped by the glacier’s path.  The cliffs are truly beautiful against the blue sky as you view them from the calm waters of the lake.

There are many interesting erratics along the shoreline.  Erratics are also the result of glaciers.  They are rocks, often large ones, that are sitting out of place, having been moved along for some distance by the glacier as it moved through the area.

Cliff Lake is part of several canoe routes.  There are portage trails for canoeists from Rib Lake to Cliff Lake to Fat Lake.  It is also part of the Friday Lake circuit and the Roosevelt to Rib Lake circuit.  The portage from Cliff Lake to Fat Lake is a three hour round trip on foot.  The trail explores the rock crevice, the barren uplands, mixed forests and scenic views.  At one point it is possible to see a breathtaking 10 - 15 kilometres west across Cliff and Rib Lakes.  There are two small campsites on this beautiful lake for those who enjoy spending a night in the great out of doors.

There are trails that can be enjoyed by hikers, ATVists, snowmobilers, skiers, and snowshoers alike.  Some of the trails are portages for canoeists.  Others are part of the hydro line system and back roads that take you into the lakes that are off the beaten path.  There are several lakes to explore and magnificent places to see as you explore the Cliff Lake Conservation Reserve.