Easily accessible though possibly a little tricky to find, a couple of hours is all the time needed to go snowshoe hiking to The Lake Above. At the very end of Mayer Road in Noëlville, the snowmobile trail leads to The Lake Above side trail, which, if it hasn’t been used lately, is impossible to see.
The snowmobile trail is known as Boisvenue Trail in summer, when it’s maintained by the French River Multi Use Trails Association. Snowshoe hiking to The Lake Above is fun but hardly necessary on the snowmobile trail. Still, once at the lake, snowshoes are great for walking around in the open, where the snow is deep and hasn’t been packed down. So even though boots are fine on the snowmobile trail, snowshoe hiking to The Lake Above has added allure of being better able to explore the area a bit.
From the snowmobile trail access point on Mayer Road, it’s about 1 kilometre snowshoe hiking to The Lake Above side trail, which is on the right. It’s unmarked but it should be the only one. (The green numbered sign nearer to the trail head indicates a private driveway.)
Once on the side trail, it’s perhaps another kilometre snowshoe hiking to The Lake Above. The side trail is a lot more fun than Boisvenue Trail, which is wide and well-groomed. One of the good things about that is that it’s easy for snowshoers and their pets to stay out of the way of approaching snowmobiles.
Snowshoe hiking to The Lake Above on the side trail, up a gentle rise on a narrow path, the scenery suddenly opens up at the top of a small hill to reveal the lake. A gradual slope leads down to the snow-covered ice.
Browse the Lake Above gallery — click any image above to view a full-sized version in a pop-up carousel.
Snowshoe hiking to The Lake Above is a short and easy afternoon trip. In total, it’s approximately 4 kilometre and one and a half to two hours. Or, it’s a nice spot to stay and play and bring along some yummies to roast on a fire.
For those interested, maps and permits — required in the summer season — are available for purchase from the French River Multi Use Trails Association.
What a beautiful hike! As someone who does not handle the cold very well, I am curious what the temperature was?
Good question! I wasn’t sure so I looked it up and World Weather Online says it was around -20 degrees Celsius, though to me it didn’t feel quite that cold. Plus, it was snowing a little, which *usually* happens in milder weather. So my guess is that it was probably actually around -15…
Oh my! That is really cold. I had to be outside in -7 Celsius yesterday and thought I was going to freeze to death. Of course I wasn’t properly attired so that may have been a factor. Yet that hike is so pretty, maybe I could stand the cold for such an experience. Until then I will continue to share in your winter wonderland trips!
Beautiful place i have a place near bye clear lake been going up there for last 50 years I’m 52 know it lives in ya never leaves nice pictures grand parents bought place 1948 change very little around there so far amazeing more logging trails, other wise just beautiful luv it
Thanks! I agree that it’s a gorgeous area, but maybe I’m biased… ;)