KENOMEE CANYON TRAIL
GENERAL INFORMATION
Name: Kenomee Canyon Trail
County: Colchester County
Ownership: NSEL - Nova Scotia Environment and Labour
Trail Length: 18 km of trail, forming complete loop
Season: Year-round; may be impassable during winter conditions
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Emergency: 911
Cell phone coverage on the trail is poor.
Economy Country Store, Central Economy, has a pay phone
DIRECTIONS
From Truro, drive west along Highway #104 to Exit 11 at Glenholme. Turn onto Highway #2 and follow for 34 km to Lower Economy.
Turn right onto River Philip Road (dirt) and travel 3 km to trailhead parking area, on right.
ACTIVITIES
Walking: Y Hiking: Y
Mountain Biking: N XCountry Ski: N
ATV: N Horse: N
Snowmobile: N Coastal: N
Loop: N Wheelchair: N
Wheelchair Assisted: N
DESCRIPTION
Overview
This 18 km hiking trail system offers an exciting journey through the wilderness of Economy River Wilderness Area. You will explore
the steep-sided river valleys and adjacent, broad hills of the upper Economy River. Discover the area’s waterfalls, and beautiful red
spruce and hardwood forests. The trails are footpaths, suitable for single-file hiking, and require fording of several river crossings.
The entire 18 km trail loop can be hiked in one day, assuming a reasonably early start and good fitness. You may extend your adventure
by staying one or more nights. Camping is permitted at three locations along the trail. To register for campsites and obtain a trail
brochure, visit the Cobequid Interpretation Centre in Economy (open May - September; tel. 902-647-2600). Trail brochures are also
available at the Dominion Chair Store in Bass River and Economy Community Store in Economy or from Recreation Services at the Municipality
of Colchester, 1 Church Street, Truro.
Economy River Wilderness Area is designated under the Wilderness Areas Protection Act and is managed by Nova Scotia Environment and Labour
(NSEL) in partnership with Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Low-impact recreation such as hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country
skiing is permitted, as is hunting,angling and trapping.
The Kenomee Canyon Trail was developed and is managed by a local community group, Kenomee Trail Society (KTS), through a trail agreement
with NSEL. KTS also maintains the Devils Bend, Economy Falls and Cobequid Escarpment trails, all originating at the same trail head. Please
note that you are on your own when using Please note that you are on your own when using these trails, and should plan ahead for safe travel.
Carry a trail map! Please review Nova Scotia Environment and Labour’s Keep it Wild brochure for guidance on wilderness area standards and safe
recreation. For more information on the province’s Protected Areas Program, visit: http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/protectedareas or call 902-424-2117.
Trail System Description
The Kenomee Canyon trail forms a large trail loop that can be hiked clockwise or counter-clockwise.
The description here is for counter-clockwise travel. Begin at the trailhead parking lot, following the old woods road, east, about 1 km
toward Economy Falls. The route descends gradually through rich hardwood forest as you approach the Falls. The slope along this route defines
the ancient Cobequid Fault zone which raised the hills within Economy River Wilderness Area, on your left, above surrounding lowlands. Pass
a trail junction to steps leading to the bottom of Economy Falls and Devils Bend Trail. As you approach the lookoff overlooking Economy Falls,
watch for the junction of the return loop of the Kenomee Canyon Trail on your left. This route follows the west side of Economy River, and is
how you may return. Pass the return loop and continue to the bridge above Economy Falls. Both the lookoff and bridge offer spectacular views
of Economy River gorge. Like the slope along the access route, Economy Falls traces the ancient Cobequid fault zone.
From the bridge, the trail winds up the eastern, mixed forest slope of the gorge. Beautifully designed stone steps help the ascent and offer
views of Economy River gorge. At the crest of the slope, watch for a trail junction and stay on the Kenomee Canyon trail. The other route is
part of the much shorter Escarpment Trail.
The next 3 km, to Newton Lake, highlights the inspiring, upland hardwood forest of Economy River Wilderness Area. Most of the route crosses
gently sloping terrain, excepting one steep-sided stream valley with stream crossing. Watch for several sections of old woods roads and stay
on the trail! Arrival at the shore of Newton Lake reveals a picturesque upland lake, backed by a large hardwood hill. The junction of a side
trail to a designated camping area on Newton Lake is located 300 metres further along, to the northeast. The camping area has a toilet.
North of Newton Lake, the hardwood forest becomes more mixed with conifers, such as spruce. Again, the trail crosses an old woods road, and
then approaches a pond fringed with dark, spruce forest. From here, the trail approaches and then follows about 1 km of the upper rim of the
East Branch of Economy River, before dropping to Black Brook and Murphy Brook. Both brook crossings are fords; be prepared to remove your boots
and wade, and use a pole for balance if necessary. A spur trail, located between Black and Murphy Brooks, leads up-hill to a designated camping
area with toilet. The camping area is at Murphy Brook Falls. This location is about half-way around the 18 km trail loop.
Beyond the ford at Murphy Brook, the trail continues about 3 km in a westerly direction, along or near the western bank of Economy River’s East
Branch, toward Chain Lake Stream. This section of trail offers beautiful, intimate contact with the river and its forested valley. Watch for the
waterfall below the junction of Black Brook and Murphy Brook. Once across the ford at Chain Lake Stream, a spur trail will take you to the third
designated camping area of this trail system, on a ridge bordering Chain Lake stream, near another waterfall. The camping area has a toilet.
The trail skirts an old woods road just past (west of) the junction with Chain Lake Stream, and then crosses this beyond the camping area spur
trail. Once across the old road, continue on the slopes well above the river for about another kilometer, southwest, to the junction of the West
and East Branches of Economy River. Be prepared for another river ford here. From this junction, the river narrows into a gorge. The trail climbs
above this and continues another 3 km, south, along mixed and hardwood forest slopes, to return to Economy Falls. Once at Economy Falls, you are
within 1 km of the trailhead, to the west.
Please note that river fords along this trail may be impassable after heavy rain.
|
