Search for the Madawaska

Sat. 18 April:  Search for the Madawaska

Buds and birds

Our mission was to find new trails – and we came close to success.

We had hiked the Calabogie trails just two weeks previously, and had agreed that this would be an ideal area for further hikes, if we could discover or create some new trails.

Starting at the lower of the two Eagle’s Nest access points on Hwy. 508, we climbed steeply up to the ridge and along to the Eagle’s Nest.  Here on the ridge is a rocky lookout point, with the cliffs falling steeply down to a lake.  The views across the low hills to the west were spectacular. 

Dropping down onto the old logging road, we headed east for a while, then turning south at the point where the Manitou Mountain Trail branches off to the east.

There were some huge wet patches along the way, the worst of them bypassed altogether.  But there were also some dry stretches in the forest.  Eventually we reached a gate, with a fallen tree on top of it, and signs that the track southwards from this point was on private land.  Looking at the map later, we saw that we had come within a kilometre or so of the Madawaska River.

Here was a potential hiking trail, if we could gain permission to explore further.

On our return trip, we discovered a hidden jewel, being Manitou Lake, hidden from sight to the east  of our trail down in a hollow.  There was still some ice on the lake, and it was perfectly framed by the Calabogie Peaks behind it.  The lake was also a sheltered sun trap on what was otherwise a windy day.

We had discovered a potential route, which we  hope might soon become a favourite trail for future hikers.

Note:  single-click on the first picture above to scroll through the photos separately

Statistics: 

Total Distance:      12.0 (hike)

Height Gain:          Say 200 ft.

High point:            920 ft. above sea level

Time on Trail:       3 hrs. 54 mins.

Start:                     10.20 am

Eagles Nest:         10.56 am

Jn. river trail:         11.27 am

Gate:                     12.18 pm

Manitou Lake:         1.09 pm

Ret. to car:              2.14 pm

Temp:                   +6C to +12C

Weather:               Cloudless, strong NW wind

Our route heads south from Manitou Mountain Trail

Still patches of snow in sheltered areas

Eagles Nest Lookout

Windy but breathtaking

Cliffs and lakes

Eagles Nest sign

Trail is flooded in some places...

...and dry in others

Garter snake

Here is as far as we could go - not far from here to the Madawaska River

A hidden gem:  Manitou Lake...

...with the Calabogie Peaks behind

Quite a few four-wheelers on the trail