#LeslieStreetSpit
December 16, 2024 at 8:30 PM
December 16, 2024 at 2:54 AM
The frozen Don River.

The new mouth of the Don River sees its first fully operational winter.

Its truly impressive what has been accomplished here, never thought Id see the day the Don flowed uncaged.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #lovetheravines #DonRover
February 7, 2026 at 7:37 PM
And of course no visit the Mouth of the Don River would be complete without a pilgrimage to see Rocky the Raccoon and Moloch the Owl.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #lovetheravines #DonRover
February 7, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Alright since we've had a healthy amount of snow this week its time for a Nordic edition of #RavineRambles

Todays there is no ravine sadly, but we've got a spit! Well technically a headland

Come & join along

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 8:27 PM
And being we've had snow, and we're going the Nordic route... It mean only one thing.. Snowshoe time!

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Finally we reach the floating bridge over the channel to Cell 3.

Today was a busy day a the bridge, but I did get some clean shot of it.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Usually there is good view of the Toronto skyline here, but not with todays clouds.

And this is where we're going to end it today. With rain starting, its time to head back.

Thanks for joining in for the day

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Remands of the old land fill remain.

Like this sign which I've happy ignored for decades.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The further up the spit you climb the more trail options open up as the headlands branches out.. Virgin snow is to be hand.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:14 PM
In the 70's Toronto & Region Conservation Authority began land reclamation work on the spit to turn it into what it has become now; Tommy Thompson Park

One of the most important bird sanctuaries in the region

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 8:50 PM
While nature has reclaimed much of the clean fill.. Remnants of its past purpose like skeletal remains, persist as reminders of its origin.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:08 PM
The trail are busy today. With the snow, come the cross country skiers.

I stumbled onto dozens of people out enjoying the fresh snow.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 8:58 PM
But more than just birds make their home here.. Larger animals have found their way onto the spit.

Beavers, coyotes, foxes and even deer have been seen here.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 8:53 PM
An unusual find on a landform made of manmade refuse.. A natural boulder.

I do wonder why it too ended up on a headland made of brick and concrete.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:16 PM
The work of beavers is everywhere to be seen on the spit.

Saplings and mature trees are all victims of the beavers veracious appetites.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Directly below the Eastern Ridge lies Rebar beach.

A large collection of exposed metal rebar and concrete make up this section of the spit.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:25 PM
#Architecture #Kayaking #Toronto #lesliestreetspit #TommyThompsonPark Toronto tore down so many beautiful old buildings and dumped the debris here to create the Leslie Street Pit at Tommy Thompson Park. I've collected quite a few pieces as only you can on a kayak. Def not by bike. #photography
January 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
There is no camping allowed. But like all of the cities wild places, it's more than just a refuge for the wildlife.

People too seek refuge here.. On this windswept barren finger of land jutting into the lake.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:11 PM
The eastern ridge.. The highest point on the Leslie spit.. Well maybe the lighthouse hill might be as tall.

It is all manmade, mostly out of old bricks. We shall climb it.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:20 PM
The spit while not planned as a nature preserve has become an integral part of local naturalist efforts

I stumbled onto a fledging flock of birders, guided by an experienced TRCA guide on an organized outing.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 8:56 PM
At just under 2km up the spit we come to the first naturalized wetland in Cell 1. Along with the outdoor classroom built into a small hill.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:04 PM
The view from the top of Eastern Ridge..

As far as the eye can see is all manmade land.. We're about 3km out into the lake at this point. 70 years ago, there was nothing but water here.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Climbing down the south side of the Eastern ridge, the expose bricks betray the true nature of the land form.

Like I said before, its a brick hill.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 9:27 PM
There is normally a wilderness trail along the east bank of the spit that's a better trek up the neck of the spit, but due to shoreline work, the trail has disappeared.

#RavineRambles #ravinerambler #LeslieStreetSpit #EastCoastKin #SnowshoeTO #lovetheravines
January 17, 2026 at 8:39 PM