Getting up in the morning was a little easier knowing we didnt have to pack up our tents. There is no trail connection between Jeremys Bay Campground and Jakes Landing to Merrymakedge and beyond. Excellent water quality and natural habitat make this 88-acre, manmade lake an excellent spot for fishing and trolling. The trail from Big Dam to Channel Lake is dry and rocky. I've had my eye on the loop for almost 10 years but just never took the plunge to make the reservations and take the time off work. We lit a fire in the stove and hung up our soaked clothing to dry in the cabin, and set our damp, stinky boots next to the stove to dry out. Rivers and streams are generally lazy and easy to travel on. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/liberty-lake-loop-trail, https://www.wta.org/site_images/hikes/view-near-liberty-falls-photo-by-crashingbashley.jpeg/@@download/image/View near Liberty Falls. Continue straight. Check important bulletins for current advisories and warnings. Drying out - everything - at Masons Cabin. Dogs must be kept on leash. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 25 min to complete. It is unsafe and illegal to ride in the back of trucks. Day one was the second longest day of hiking, going from the parking lot at Big Dam Lake to Site 44. Eel Weir to Campsite 37 - 17km Joining three hiking friends to explore the longest hiking route that encircles the Kejimkujik National Park. Watch for garbage cans/trucks, children, pets, and wildlife on a narrow road.In that turn, Sprague becomes S. Neyland Ave. and at a half mile, curves left around a hill, to an intersection. 4.3/5. A site update is available, click to reload, Using PHP and cURL to post to the Mastodon API, https://chrisjones.io/articles/hiking-the-liberty-lake-loop/, Late summer camping at Keji's Wil-Bo-Wil cabin. A GPS unit is a good additional tool but doesn't take the place of map and compass. Note: not all backcountry sites will have wood provided. Reply, like, bookmark, or repost on your own IndieWeb-enabled website and send me a webmention. Trails are dry, days are cool and invigorating without the extreme heat or bugs. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. | Along the way we took a break at Site 43. If you wish to make a change or an addition to your reservation, you will be required to pay a modification fee. Hikers will be able to see some seals and the piping plovers. You must return on the same trail. Kejimkujik Seaside is located 100km to the east. 2 medium sized tents (4 person), or 4 small tents (2 person) per site (all must fit on tent pads). You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Myself and a group of close friends have done an annual backwoods camping trip to Keji (almost) every year since 2000. . Check water levels with staff at the visitor centre. Purify all water takenfrom backcountry water sources. With over 100 km of trails, Kejimkujik provides numerous opportunities to explore forests, lakes, and rivers. This is a wild-country hiking trail, with rough footing and varying from a 3-metre-wide woods road to a narrow path. Please note: Different distances are given for certain sites as there are different routes to get there depending on the portage chosen. The wide gravel path crosses the grasslands and heads to Boyds beach first. Please keep your pets on a leash. From I-90 take Exit 296, and make your way to Liberty Lake Road. sites, fishing sites, hunting territories, travel routes and
I think Ill just show some photos and describe the hike and the experience. From here the trail follows the lakeshore, flat and easy, to the canteen and the beach at Merrymakedge P4. WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! More than five miles of looped trails circumnavigate brilliant natural features such as The Enchanted Ravine, and the park's crown jewel: Rocks of Sharon. Im not going to go into details of each day of the hike, other people have done that and theres no real need to repeat it all here. No personal jet-driven or combustion-propelled watercraft allowed. Scenario B: Delivery Shuttle-- includes equipment only. On the northeast side of Still Brook is a beautiful hemlock stand. For example, if you and your group want to have the boats dropped off at the Big Dam parking lot for your weekend canoe trip and then have them picked up again afterwards, this would require two separate shuttles. Liberty Lake Loop - Kejimkujik National Park. Paradoxically, Cody, who is perpetually late, is extremely strict about shuttle times. The section from Campsite 17 to Campsite 5 goes inland to avoid the bog around the lake. If you're planning to visit Keji, consider exploring the park by canoe. Campsite 5 - Big Dam Lake parking lot: 11 km. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 17 h 20 min to complete. The trail along the last few kilometres of the section was well-marked but the constant grind of whacking our way through the Alders was exhausting. All part of the hiking experience. We used to dirt-bag it as best we could. Three. The trail then steeply ascends a flank of Mica Peak . 57.48 km. Whynot Adventure, The Keji Outfitters. [A scenic aerial shot of Kejimkujik's forests and lakes during sunrise. I've had my eye on the loop for almost 10 years but just never took the plunge to make the . Water is not provided. Watch for a Park sign indicating a left turn onto Sprague. Campsite 28 - Lower Mersey River (Eel Weir) 7 km. Not a big deal as it was quite warm and wed be drenched with sweat in a kilometre anyway. For example, if you have a shuttle reserved for 12pm for a pick-up at Eel Weir, this means our shuttle vehicle will depart Jake's Landing for roughly 12pm and arrive at Eel Weir for about 1230pm. The asis, oTENTik, and rustic cabins are located in Jim Charles Point. A hemlock boardwalk will take you over the very sensitive roots of these giants. Each season has its allure, but autumn is best. Keji was beautiful and the liberty lake loop is a great way to see it, just wish it could have been more trail and less road walking. Kejimkujik (Keji) offers not only trails for hikers, it attracts paddlers to come explore its many waterways. Our shuttle prices include 0-4 boats (capacity of our trailer). Your own safety is your first responsibility. Welcome
Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene. The trail past Site 41 slowly turns back to a service road, just like on day one. ], [The back of two empty Parks Canada branded Red Chairs. Route: Liberty Lake Loop (Big Dam to Eel Weir) Submitted by patelakis on Wed, 06/15/2022 - 07:56pm. Close to 60KM hike - happy for a sunny last day. The marshes it goes through makes it rough with the mosquitoes, black-flies, horse-flies, and deer-flies. Liberty Lake Full Loop Trail boasts the most elevation gain with 1,304 m of total ascent. [Kejimkujik sign. "Keji" as it's affectionately known, is Disney World for Nova Scotia nature lovers. According to AllTrails.com, there are 6 camping trails in Kejimkujik National Park and the most popular is Mersey River Trail with an average 4.4 star rating from 83 community reviews. From the cabin, wind down and descend along the Edith Hansen Trail where you might encounter horseback riders. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 1,219 AllTrails community reviews. No fire, small stream down an embankment, and the picnic table had seating on one side only. Campers must pack out all garbage. If you are a group of 12, and require everyone to be shuttled from A to B, this will require three trips by our shuttle vehicle, which means 3x the posted shuttle rate. Campsite 45 N44 27.576 W65 20.197 Ive had my eye on the loop for almost 10 years but just never took the plunge to make the reservations and take the time off work. Registration after hours is not available. If canoe rentals are required, please contact Whynot Adventure at 902-682-2282 or online at info@whynotadventure.ca. Its 21 at 1:16am, Friday the 31st of August 2018 at 12:56pm. Enjoy many front country, backcountry, and seaside trails of different lengths and levels of difficulty. When the glacier melted away, the gravel bed remained on the underlying land as a raised ridge about 10 metres high. This is a good place to watch for Pileated Woodpeckers. Be prepared, follow the rules, and have a great camping trip! The staff at Whynot were excellent and extremely helpful and informative. The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, More details about licenses and regulations, Message from the President and Chief Executive Officer. In that turn, Sprague becomes S. Neyland Ave. and at a half mile, curves left around a hill, to an intersection. We recommend you bring a park topographic map and a compass, or a GPS, and know how to use them. Each site may be booked for a maximum of two consecutive nights. If you're looking for elevation gain, Kejimkujik National Park has you covered. Make your kindling from this firewood. Let your emergency contact know your plans at the beginning of your trip. Youmay also see evidence of coyote and black bear activity, but few hikers ever actually meet a bear. Trail Name: Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada Location: Maitland Bridge Description: According to the Keji website, its trails "lead through an incredible variety of habitats and scenery, to places of cultural and historical significance. If you're dropping off your canoe to be retrieved by Whynot Adventure and you're there before the designated time, just stow the gear under the boat and make sure it's somewhere it won't get run over, then feel free to take off! 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Eel Weir (Mersey River) to Big Dam parking lot - 61km Reservations and Registration their expertise for the betterment of
This loop hike is best for people who like walks . I saw a bear and an owl, great day! From there the old track ends and the real backcountry trail begins. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Kejimkujik National Park is Hemlocks and Hardwoods Channel Lake Loop , which has a 4.5 star rating from 238 reviews. If there are no sites available for the dates selected, you can either select different dates or reserve a site in our front country campground. Consult with the staff at Kejimkujik in regard to current and long-range weather forecasts, known hazards, policies, regulations, and available safety information. This trail passes through dense coastal forest, beside bogs rich with orchids, over coastal barrens, and then to the sandy beach and rocky islands at Harbour Rocks. This time I bought a beautiful ceramic mug and some badges of the longer hikes Ive done at the park. The park can be accessed year round, though operational hours of services vary. Big Dam Lake Paddle to Frozen Ocean Lake Campground. and financial assistance for complementary services and
Visitors must come prepared to navigate to their campsite via map and compass and GPS enabled device. One of these three companions, Janice, and I had a wonderful 3-day kayaking excursion here in 2017 https://outsideways.com/journals/kayaking-2017/. Ancient petroglyphs can be viewed in this park for a glimpse into life long ago. is made up of a knowledgeable pool of people willing to share
The next section is very pleasant as the trail follows a couple of streams about 3km from campsite 42 you will enter a wet marshy area, occasionally I've got across with dry feet, often the water is ankle deep. Food should be sealed and stored using the food storage devices on each campsite. The sun was out so we unpacked our wet tents and spread them out to dry. The Channel Lake Loop makes a challenging day hike or a moderate over-night backpacking trip. Over 80% of Kejimkujik is accessible by canoe or hiking only. This is a good overnight trip, with 4 campsites (1, 3, 45, and 46) en route. Boat access will be available at Jakes Landing. National Park, which attests to 4000 years of Mikmaq occupancy
You must pick up after your pet at all times. Kejimkujik National Park
Provincial Motor Vehicle legislation is applicable and enforced in Kejimkujik. Do not burn garbage. Hiking the Liberty Lake Loop. This loop tours the tip of the peninsula. Published in 1908, it takes place in what is now Kejimkujik National Park and the Kejimkujik Seaside Tobeatic Game Reserve . Lovely to see the brilliant colours in the photos as some (most!) Kind of disappointing. Most of my back-pack hiking experience has not had the bonus of a wood stove and four walls and a roof with wooden bunkbeds. The trail is at times awe-inspiring, challenging, and annoying. If you are starting at Big Dam, then you will be leaving your vehicle at Eel Weir, so just swing by Jake's Landing to let us know you're on your way and our shuttle driver will follow you down. Every turn brings something new. Just before Campsite 5, you must wade across Still Brook (about two metres wide). Ready for your next hike or bike ride? The tour of attractions continues ahead as you come to Liberty Falls and then, after rounding the corner and heading up another short section of switchbacks, the Camp Hughes Cabin. Pets are a threat to wildlife and wildlife can hurt pets. Police, Fire, Ambulance: 911 (emergency only). We knew exactly what kind of hike itd be which put our minds at ease. Copy the content below and paste it in the page in which you would like We were lucky as we hiked the loop in late August so the water level was low enough we could hop across rocks, but in spring Id say youre getting wet as the river at this point is wide. A great sense of relief and pride came over us. I should also mention one of the bridges over Red Lake Brook is gone. Watch for the Park sign pointing the way ahead. The Liberty Lake Loop is an extremely difficult trail to complete, even for experienced hikers, due to the trail passing through some very boggy areas and the trail being difficult to follow in sections. There are three backcountry trails: #16 Eel Weir to Fire Tower, #17 Channel Lake, and #18 Liberty Lake. As someone who had hiked all the other trails in the park, this felt like a pilgrimage to me. Keji was beautiful and the liberty lake loop is a great way to see it, just wish it could have been more trail and less road walking. Store food and waste securely at all times. Important. This trail offers a full tour of the trails at Liberty Lake Regional Park, taking visitors along Split Creek, through a cedar grove, past Liberty Falls and an old cabin as well as along miles of beautiful trails with views down to the lake. There is no trail connection between Jeremys Bay Campground and Jakes Landing to Merrymakedge and beyond. Travelling through swamps, forests, and lakes, some sections are overgrown and a river crossing is necessary. Sorting stations are available at the various backcountry parking areas. What if I'm super cheap or have a tight budget? ], [The family sits at a picnic table in the forest and shares a picnic meal. Campsite 45 - Campsite 42 14 km not very well maintained for a national historic park. I guess so few people get to this site in a year its not worth putting too much money and effort into. No bridge at Jakes Landing After such a long rainy spell we are happy to have a sunny day to begin. If you have a 12pm shuttle booked, it will leave Jake's Landing within a few minutes after 12pm and arrive at your destination sometime thereafter. You will cross Rogers Brook and follow the Mersey River along a red maple floodplain. More details about licenses and regulations. Explore one of 11 easy hiking trails in Kejimkujik National Park that are great for the whole family. to Nova Scotias darkest sky - and brightest stars, View from Jakes Landing. Then, just 100 yards later, turn right onto S Lakeside Road. The 300-year old hemlocks along this trail are among Nova Scotias oldest trees. Campsite 42 N44 22.970 W65 25.057 ], [A visitor wanders along one of Kejimkujik's forested trails. Change the width value below as necessary. The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Message from the President and Chief Executive Officer. and National Historic Site. Wilderness hiking on the backcountry trails in Kejimkujik is difficult. Sites are available on a first come, first serve basis via a self-registration book at the Visitor Centre. Along the trail, a viewing platform provides a spectacular view of St. Catherine's River Beach. A hike just to the cedar grove though would make for a fun hike for young kids. But the draw for hikers is the network of excellent backcountry trails. The Kejimkujik Backcountry Guide available by calling the Parks Visitor Centre, or at Jakes Landing Outfitter, and Mountain Equipment Co-op and The Trail Shop, both in Halifax. Simplified Outfitting, Rentals & Guided Canoe Tours- We rent camping equipment . The map includes small inset maps of Jeremy's Bay Campground, Merrymakedge, and Kejimkujik. Before starting this trip, ask Kejimkujik staff about the water levels. For the entire 4.5 days, 56+ kilometres we saw three other hikers. Amble among towering pines and gnarled beech trees on this two-loop trail. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and . ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Liberty Park Loop. or find out how to subscribe to audio posts in your favourite podcast player. Updated every 15 min. If unsure about the site you are booking, contact the Keji visitor centre at 902-682-2772. It offers a pleasant walk in the woods with nice campsites on lakes or by brooks away from it all, don't expect to meet many if any fellow travelers in the backcountry part of the trail. You will need to pay for a day pass unless you are a season pass holder. and National Historic Site, Follow Parks Canada-Friends of Keji Podcast, Check out the new Friends of Keji Commemorative Bench Program. Desperate for a relatively local hiking challenge this year, I decided to finally hike the Liberty Lake Loop, a 56km trail in Kejimkujik National Park. Alcohol and cannabis consumption is permitted on registered Parks Canada campsites, but is prohibited in all other campground common areas (including beaches, playgrounds, and other public areas). Dude, I get it. Reply, like, bookmark, or repost on your own IndieWeb-enabled website and send me a webmention. Hiking is one of the most popular activities at Kejimkujik. Most campsites are only accessible by water. We knew the trail from the cabin to Eel Weir quite well having hiked it before so many times. trip reports for this trail. They can be reserved through our website (this one you're currently perusing) for 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12:00PM, 1:30PM, or 3:00PM. Burn only the firewood provided. Want to find the best trails in Kejimkujik National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? Liberty Lake Hike, Kejimkujik National Park Map Follow karentogo+ created Jun 4, 2019 Hiking; 2 Followers . Frequently asked trail questions about Kejimkujik National Park. The longest, and most challenging hiking trail at Keji is the Liberty Lake Trail. Pick up your rental at Jakes Landing. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. No responses to this post so far. Wildlife can include black bears, moose, insects, lots of birds, and much more. We removed our packs and swore at the trees and the sky. The trail quickly leaves this grove behind as it ascends up a dozen switchbacks to Sam Hill. When I planned the trip, I had hoped staying in the cabin would bring us some relief near the end of our journey. How many people does the shuttle price cover? . From here the trail goes for just under half a mile before coming to another fork. Distances Its a good spot to have a snack and to adjust packs if needed. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. We warmed up a little with a cup of tea in our underwear at this point we were soaked made supper and since there was no fire, it was an early night to bed. All non-invasive fish are catch and release only, only barbless hooks are allowed, and no natural bait of any kind is permitted. In spring, when brooks are full and wetland sections of the trails are flooded, hikers will get wet feetprobably every day. You must register for backcountry camping at the Visitor Centre and return your permit at the end of your trip. Each site includes two tent pads (12 ft x 12 ft), a picnic table, a pit privy, a fire pit, and bear cables for hoisting food. Sharon's Rocks (especially her biggest . For the record, here are the final, corrected distances from my GPS for each day of hiking: And if youre into that sort of thing, here are links to the GPX files for each day of the hike: day one, day two, day three, day four, day five. Day-use areas, backcountry, and Kejimkujik Seaside. I was very happy to have companions on the long days of hiking. Our newest trail will have you twisting and turning with the Mersey River as you weave your way through the landscape by foot or by bike. Day 2 the sun is displaced by rain- chilly with soaked socks and shoes- stopped at 10k for some hot drinks and lunch. Simple, fast outdoor adventure journaling. The maximum length of stay in the backcountry is 21 nights total. Good paddling as fairly sheltered. The onus is on you to reserve a shuttle time which will allow you to arrive 15 minutes early. to Nova Scotias darkest sky - and brightest stars, Kejimkujik National Park
Photo is a screenshot from the full video as posted here: https://www.facebook.com/ktoews1. Is my pet allowed in the shuttle vehicle? Ensure dogs are kept leashed to avoid confrontations with wildlife. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Permit must be issued from the visitor centre in time for you to reach your campsite during daylight hours. Discover this 72.7-km loop trail near Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia. According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Kejimkujik National Park is. If you cannot make your trip at the time you have reserved, you will be refunded all camping fees (less the reservation fee and a cancellation fee), as long as you notify the Parks Canada Reservation Serviceno less than three days preceding your reserved date of arrival. Without a trip to some far-flung destination this year, it was time to tackle it. Its worth the side trip to get there and filter all the water you need from there, the water is just so good. Safety To ensure an enjoyable wilderness experience, now and in the future, please observe the following regulations and practices. Actually, we encourage you not to visit us unless it's necessary. Scenario A: Delivery Shuttle-- includes equipment and people(s). of that was lost to us while we were in action! Near the head of Frozen Ocean Lake is campsite 45, set in a stately stand of white pines, allowing you to enjoy the warmth of the morning sun over the lake. You can improve or add to this guidebook entry! Drumlins are steep on one side and gently sloping on the other. It is possible to do a complete loop by extending the trip a further 2 days to do this one would have to set up a base camp at one of the campsites close to Big Dam Parking lot and then drive your vehicle back towards the Eel Weir parking lot a distance that would be a comfortable day hike back to your base camp, Jakes Landing parking lot would be a suitable spot. How many boats does the shuttle price cover? Squish, squish, squish. A great backpacking adventure that offers all the beauty of kejimkijik nat park! Rain has quit, deciding if we should pitch our tents and call it a day- no place to make a fire but can at least warm up in our sleeping bags. The trail, about one metre in width, has dry, rocky, wet and marshy terrain. You are responsible for your own safety. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.