Sat Jun 16, 2018: Ruby Lake Quarry Field Trip

• Event Photos

Event Status

Planning-> Confirmed-> Development-> Ready-> Live-> Review

Review

Event Description and Details

This event is a day trip to the Ruby Lake Quarry east of Nipigon, Ontario.  The Ruby Lake Marble Quarry was established in 1885 to quarry stone for the CPR bridge piers (location: TBD) which are still standing today. In 1909 the Masonic Temple in Port Arthur burned down and Ruby Lake marble was used to reconstruct and lay in a decorative floor and columns. In 1999 stone was used to build a decorative fountain at St. Joseph's Hospital and in 2000 throughout Lakehead University's Agora area. The quarry is currently owned by the Red Rock Indian Band who is seeking to develop the resource and site.

Ruby Lake Provincial Park is another attraction on the same road as the mine and shows some great views of the lake and Lake Superior.

We had great weather and met Matthew at the Quarry/Park turnoff. A quick drive in to the split. Some chose to drive in to the Quarry on a rough road. We had ample opportunity to find and collect specimens for the club and members.  Some excellent examples of the pink, nutmeg and green marble where shared.

We then drove to Helen's Lake north of the Nipigon bridge and spent some time at the Red Rock Indian Band Chalet Lodge which is under renovations and due to re-open this summer.

For more information about the Ruby Lake Quarry please consult:

• Uses in Local architecture: Masonic Hall: pg 25-28 ; Ruby Lake Marble Ltd. Quarry: pg 38-39

• Ruby Lake Quarry Assessment in 2001

• Ruby Lake Provincial Park Management Plan

• The Wayback Machine Archive of www.rubylakemarble.com  Old Photos

Schedule

1. Brief overview could be held at previous General meeting to finalize numbers, who's going and answer final questions.

2. 7:45am: Meet at Terry Fox Lookout. Quick meeting to determine cars, drivers and passengers.

3. 8:00am: Depart to Ruby Lake Quarry (1hr 20m). 

4. 9:30am: Arrive at Husky in Nipigon (better parking than Tim Hortons).

5. 10:00am: Arrive at Quarry gate.

6. 10:00am: Quarry tour starts.

7. 1:00pm?: Quarry Tour ends. Depart back to Terry Fox Lookout.

8. 2:30pm?: Arrive back to Terry Fox Lookout to pouring rain!

Field Notes

• Event Guides and Participants should use the Event Guide and Hiking Checklist to prepare in advance and identify Guides for the event. 

• Event difficulty: Easy

• Event will proceed, Rain or Shine.

• Event is a collecting event. Bring Camera, Tools, eye protection, gloves.

• Any other specific notes.

Site Contact

 Matthew Dupuis <matthew.dupuis@rrib.ca>

Attendance: 12