Magee Lake in the Chain Lakes area offers a half-day walk and nature observation. The natural area is recovering from past abuse, providing a good reserve for outdoor activities. While the site shows signs of ATV damage, it holds potential for restoration. Neighbors express interest in stewardship, indicating local support for conservation efforts.
Magee Lake Natural Area is mostly undisturbed. According to the neighbours to the east, the site was previously abused by kids and bush parties. This has died down and the trails and damage are slowly being covered in growth. A loop is possible on these old ATV trails.
Inspection Report
| Question | Q## | Response |
| General Information | ||
| Date/Site/Submitter: | Q21/22/12 | 2024-08-14: Magee Lake (NA); Phrank P. |
| Guest Names | Q14 | |
| SAPAA Member | Q16 | Yes |
| Over all Impression of the Site | ||
| What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible | Q31 | 3 |
| How Natural?: comments | Q32 | A very high 3 and would rate a 4 except for some legacy damage by ATVs. Trail remediation could restore the site. Otherwise, this NA and the crown land to the south provides a good natural reserve close to Parlby Creek and the Chain Lakes system to the north. |
| How was your visit to the PA? | ||
| Trip Duration | Q41 | 1-2 hours |
| Why Did you Go? | Q42 | Visit nature, Hiking, PA Site inspection for SAPAA, Other (see comments) |
| Visit Details | Q43 | Went primarily to post to YEGVille.ca. |
| What is in the Site? | ||
| Ease to Visit | Q51 | Other (see comments) |
| Biological Observations | Q52 | Boundary signs were visible on Range Road 244. |
| Submissions to iNaturalist | Q53 | No, did not see anything of note |
| Geological Observations | Q54 | Considerable water in some areas, likely there are springs. |
| Designation as a Protected Area | Q55 | Signage |
| Comments | Q56 | No fencing on RR 244. |
| Human Activities/Disturbances | ||
| Agricultural Activities | Q61 | None noted |
| Resource extraction | Q62 | None Noted |
| Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity). | Q63 | Off Highway Vehicles (e.g. quads, motorbikes) |
| Animal or self propelled activities | Q64 | Hiking Trails |
| Gathering and Dumping Activities | Q65 | None Noted |
| Infrastructure encroachment | Q66 | Other (see comments) |
| Comments | Q67 | There are some open fields which may be a legacy infrastructure installation. |
| What Needs to be Done? | ||
| Remediation/Protection Activities Needed | Q71 | Continued Monitoring, Other (see comments) |
| What Have you Done Recently to Help the site? | Q72 | Visit and Submitted This Report!, Talked to nearby residents |
| Nearby Stewards? | Q73 | Neighbours across the road indicated they may want to be local stewards. |
| Comments | Q74 | Remediation of the ATV tracks crossing wet areas would improve the experience. |
| Last Words | Q82 | This is a great site and the surrounding area is stunning. |
SAPAA Site Inspection Report: 2024-08-14: Magee Lake (NA); Phrank P.
[CUT, PASTE, AND TIDY UP FROM SITE INSPECTION GOOGLE SHEET]
Images from Inspection
Neighbours east of the NA, the Rowleys, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Boundary sign, midway along the border and looking west from RR 244, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
ATV track heading west from RR 244 into the NA. It loops throughout the property, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Entrance to the ATV track heading west into the NA, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Likely Coyote scat left on the trail, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Beaked Hazelnut waiting for a nearby squirrel, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Horse’s hoof growing on a birch tree, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Like a scene from a science fiction movie, horse’s hoof erupts from a birch tree, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
ATV gouging in water course, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
ATV track crossing a clearing and going into the mixed parkland forest, looking roughly south, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. Looking roughly east from the NW corner of the NA, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Looking North from the NW corner into the two adjoining properties, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Boundary sign at the NW corner, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Turn of the ATV track, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
ATV track, looking SE, running through a parkland, mixed forest, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
ATV track cutting channels in a wet section of the trail, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Late fruit of Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra), 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter. 
Late fruit of common raspberry, 2024-08-14, Magee Lake NA, P. Potter.
SAPAA 