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SK I HI L L TR A I L

The Ski Hill Trail climbs to the top of the old ski hill with the opportunity to descend at a gradual rate along the Backwoods and Pointe Trails. There are a variety of alternate return routes and detours to satisfy all levels of hikers.

Main Ski Run Descent, c.1930s (#11)

This trail passes by a wide selection of tree species and the original ski tow facilities, which are still in existence after operating from the 1930s to the late 1980s.

Original ski tower and tow lines (#6)

White-tail deer photographed on the ski hill (#11)

Access to Trail Start from the base of the Ski Hill or alterna-tively from the designated parking area above the Tree Top Cottage.

Trail Links The trail links up with the Ascension Trail which provides a return route along the west side of Buck Lake or down the Kalonga Wetland Trail to Lake Solitaire.

Distance 4.2 km

Number of Steps 5,250

Diffi culty Easy

Trail Description The trail is wider than the lake trails to facilitate mechanical grooming for winter cross country skiing. The Backwoods Trail winds largely through deciduous forests, far removed from water.

1. Buck Lake Landing2. Buck Lake Lodge3. Lookout Parking Area4. Trail Switchback5. Lookout over Buck Lake

6. Ski Hill Tower7. Backwoods Trail8. Ascension Trail9. Pointe Trail10. Waters Edge Parking Area

11. Ski Hill Trail12. Solitaire Link Trail13. Tree Top Parking Area14. Owls Nest Link Trail15. Contour Path

POINTS OF INTEREST

Ski Hill Trail Alternate Trails Country Roads

LAKE SOLITAIRE

BUCK LAKE

9

15

3

4

56

131212

14

7

8

11

11

To Maniwaki Fishing Lodge

Limberlost Lodge

Barn

To Helve Fishing Lodge

Buck Lake Road

Buck Lake Lodge

Buck Lake Landing

Lookout

10

1

2

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A grass trail is cut each year up one of the original ski runs for those wishing to hike to the peak from the base of the hill.

The Ski Hill Trail can also be accessed from the designated parking area above the Tree Tops Cottage or from the Buck Lake Lookout parking area.

After crossing the road from the Tree Top parking area you can walk through the woods to join the ski slope half way up the hill.

A short distance from the top of the hill you turn to the right to head south down the Backwoods Trail. Prior to doing so you may wish to visit the Buck Lake Lookout by continuing in a westerly direction past the old ski tow to the cliff top overlook-ing Buck Lake, and then return down the Lookout Trail.

The Backwoods Trail, given its gentle decline, provides excellent conditions for cross country ski-ing. The high elevation generally ensures excellent cross country ski conditions from December until April. There is an opportunity for a more adventuresome descent to Buck Lake by skiing down the much steeper Ascension Trail.

Lookout Trail and Ski Hill Trail in background (#2)

Ascension Trail descending towards the Wetlands (#8)

S K I H I L L T R A I L – con t inued

At the Ascension Trail Juncture the Backwoods Trail meets the Pointe Trail which continues in a south-erly direction descending at a gradual rate.

The Pointe Trail ends at Pointe Road. From there either descend to Lake Soli-taire via the Waters Edge Cottage path or head north up the road to join the Contour Path which exits 200 metres south of the Tree Tops parking area.

A key feature of the Ski Hill Trail is its linkage with other trails. This enables users to vary the distance and the diffi culty of their hikes at various points along the way.

The Backwoods Trail (#7)

The Main Ski Run Descent has been left to regrow with a hiking trail visible through the regrowth (#6)

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Safety is the Highest Priority

S K I H I L L T R A I L – con t inued

Points of Interest GPS Co-ordinates

Trail StartTree Tops Designated Parking Area N45° 23.668 W79° 00.092

Bottom of Ski Hill N45° 24.708 W78° 59.917

Path from Tree Tops at the point it joins the Ski Hill N45° 23.604 W78° 59.925

Top of Ski Hill N45° 23.535 W78° 59.892

Entrance to Backwoods Trail N45° 23.548 W78° 59.963

Ascension Junction with Backwoods and Pointe Trails N45° 23.456 W78° 59.925

Exit from Pointe Trail on Pointe Road N45° 23.437 W79° 00.360

Beginning of Contour Trail on Pointe Road N45° 23.579 W79° 00.132

Exit from Contour Trail on Pointe Road N45° 23.584 W79° 00.141

Return to Tree Tops Designated Parking Area N45° 23.668 W79° 00.092

Trail Sections KM Rating

Tree Tops Designated Parking Area to Top of Ski Hill 1.0 6

Backwoods Trail to Ascension Junction 0.5 7

Ascension Trail to Pointe Trail exit 1.5 7

Pointe Trail exit to Contour Path entrance 0.5 10

Contour Path exit on Pointe Road 0.5 8

Return to Tree Tops Designated Parking Area 0.2 10

4.2

Ratings: 1 = very rough, 10 = high quality

Grades: 20% = slight grade, 30% = 20® grade, 50% = 20®+ grade