Grace Lake - Burleigh Road roadcut

The Grace Lake - Burleigh Road roadcut is located in Dudley Township, Dysart et al, Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada, at coordinates 45° 3' 28'' North, 78° 14' 16'' West. This site is in southeastern Ontario, a region celebrated for its picturesque lakes and dense forests, part of the Canadian Shield. Nearby, Haliburton Village is 22.3 km away, and Bancroft, often called the "Mineral Capital of Canada," is 29.9 km away, both small towns popular for outdoor activities and mineral collecting.

This locality is a paradise for mineral enthusiasts, boasting a variety of specimens including Actinolite, Actinolite-Tremolite Series, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Diopside, Garnet Group, Goethite, Hematite, Hornblende Root Name Group, Molybdenite, Phlogopite, Pyrite, Pyroxene Group, Quartz (including Amethyst and Smoky Quartz), and Tremolite. Standouts include Amethyst with its deep purple hues and Smoky Quartz with rich brown tones, both highly sought after. Diopside and Garnet are notable for their gemstone quality, while Tremolite forms delicate green needles on white Calcite, creating striking contrasts.

The site features a pyroxenite skarn, a metamorphic rock formed by magmatic fluid interactions with surrounding rocks. This process has created a rich mineral environment, explaining the diversity found here, including gemstone-quality minerals like Diopside and Garnet, making it a fascinating study for geologists and collectors.

Specific mining history for this roadcut is not well-documented, suggesting it has primarily been a site for amateur mineral collecting rather than large-scale mining. The broader Haliburton County and Bancroft area has a history of mineral exploration, but for Grace Lake, it seems to be a discovery spot for enthusiasts, adding to its allure as a "hidden gem."

Haliburton County is deeply rooted in nature appreciation and mineral collecting, with the Bancroft Gem and Mineral Club and Museum, 30 km away, serving as a hub for enthusiasts. This club offers educational programs and displays, reflecting the area's rich mineral heritage. The region also features a vibrant arts scene and events like mineral shows, blending natural beauty with cultural richness, enhancing the collecting experience.

The area has a temperate continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, ideal for seasonal collecting. Its ecology is part of the Great Lakes-St Lawrence Forest Region, with mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, dominated by sugar maple. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, and grey wolf, with beavers significantly impacting the landscape. The shallow, acidic soils and Precambrian granite outcrops add to the rugged, scenic environment.