ASHRAE Social Event – Fall Hike to the Carbide Willson Ruins

Date: Friday, October 23rd, 2026
Time: 3:15pm to 6:00pm (Carpool departs Ottawa at 3:15pm; hike runs 4:00pm to 5:30pm)
Who: ALL ARE WELCOME
Cost: ONLY $5 (Snacks and water will be provided)

Registration & Carpool:

If you can drive, please note if you can offer carpooling and how many people you can bring when you register. The carpool departs from Tunney's Pasture O-train station at 3:15pm sharp. If you're driving directly, meet us at parking lot P11 (O'Brien Beach) on Meech Lake Road in Chelsea by 4:00pm.

Event Description:

The Ottawa Valley Chapter's Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) and Student Activities (SA) Committees invite all ASHRAE Members, non-member guests, prospective members, and friends to a fall hike in Gatineau Park! The cost of entry is $5 per person to help cover snacks and water.

We'll walk an easy 3.25 km out-and-back trail along Meech Lake to the Carbide Willson Ruins. The ruins are the stone remains of a fertilizer plant built in the early 1900s by Thomas "Carbide" Willson, a Canadian inventor and electrochemistry pioneer who developed a commercial process for producing calcium carbide. Today, the plant's walls sit beside a small waterfall, with a lookout and interpretive plaques recently added by the NCC. Come for the fall colours and a bit of engineering history, and stay for the great company!

The hike will proceed rain or shine, barring extreme weather conditions.

What to Bring:

Wear sturdy footwear and dress in warm layers. Bring a flashlight in case we're slow on the way back. Cell service in the park is limited, so please stay with the group.

Dre Markus | 416-828-5270 | [email protected]

Please NOTE whether you can offer a ride or need a ride. Carpool departs from TUNNEY'S PASTURE O-TRAIN STATION @ 3:15 PM SHARP!