CROWBAR LAKE HIKING TRAIL SYSTEM





GENERAL INFORMATION

     Name:            Crowbar Lake Hiking Trail System
     County:          Halifax County
     Ownership:       Nova Scotia Environment and Labour
     Trail Length:    18 km organized into a variety of trail loops
     Season:          Year-round; may be impassable during winter conditions

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Emergency: 911

Cell phone coverage is variable on the trail system - best from the tops of hills. 
The Atlantic Superstore at Porters Lake, Hwy #7, has public phones. In an emergency, check with
private residences near the trail head on Myra Road.    

DIRECTIONS

From Highway 107, take Exit 19. Travel north about 1.5 km to Highway #7 at the community of Porters Lake. 
Turn left (west) on Highway #7, then almost immediately, turn right onto Myra Road. Travel north on Myra Road and,
after about 9 km, watch for the trail head parking lot on the left (west) side. The trail head is roughly 30 km from
downtown Dartmouth.

ACTIVITIES

     Walking:             Y        Hiking:         Y
     Mountain Biking:     N        XCountry ski:   N
     ATV:                 N        Horse:          N
     Snowmobile:          N        Coastal:        N
     Loop:                Y        Wheelchair:     N
     Wheelchair Assisted: N  

DESCRIPTION 


Overview

This 18 km hiking trail system offers a variety of scenic trail loops in a rugged, forested wilderness landscape of exposed,high
ridges; and beautiful lakes and waterways.  The trails are footpaths, suitable for single-file hiking. Most of this trail system is 
within Waverley-Salmon River Long Lake Wilderness Area. The Myra Road trail head and first several hundred metres of trail are on Crown
land. Waverley-Salmon River Long Lake 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. Camping is not permitted on the trail system.
The Crowbar Lake trail system was developed and is managed by a local community group, Porters Lake and Myra Road Wilderness Area Association,
through trail agreements with NSEL and DNR. 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 NSEL’s Keep it Wild brochure for guidance on wilderness area standards and safe recreation.
For more information on the province’s Protected Areas Program call 902-424-2117 or visit: http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/protectedareas

TRAIL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Porters Lake loop: From the trail head at Myra Road, the trail climbs gradually through mixed forest and skirts a beautiful small lake,
with boardwalk and a bench at about 400 m. From here, hikers can complete the 1.6 km Porters Lake Loop, which begins and ends at the lake.
Views from the top of this loop reveal Porters Lake and its eastern slopes. Part of the forest here and elsewhere along the trail system 
bear dramatic evidence of Hurricane Juan, of September, 2003. 

Spriggs Brook trail: From the crest of Porters Lake Loop, hikers may continue
west, 1.5 km, to the bridge at Spriggs Brook, and another 1 km to Granite Lake. The route offers views of distant Granite Lake and stillwater
sections of Spriggs Brook, and passes through older, mixed pine forest showing scars of long-ago forest fires. Arriving at Granite Lake, many 
will be tempted to enjoy an idyllic rest or perhaps a swim. This 2 km long wilderness lake is about 3.5 km from the trail head at Myra Road.

West Lake loop: For the more adventurous, the trail continues past Granite Lake to the West Lake Loop. The first view of West Lake is about 
450 m west of Granite Lake, from the top of a large, barren hill-top. From this hill, hikers can travel about 4 km around the West Lake Loop, 
either clockwise or counter-clockwise. This loop offers intimate views of the lake and more expansive views from high granite exposures. 
Travel from the trail head at Myra Road, all the way around West Lake, is about a 16 km, return trip. 

Salmon River loop: The most ambitious route extends West Lake Loop, westward, to Salmon River and Crowbar Lake. Watch for trail junctions at 
the northwest and southwest ends of West Lake Loop. Traveling counter-clockwise, hikers will climb a large hill northwest of West Lake, onto
a jack pine barren. The barren reveals an expansive landscape of wilderness forest and lakes, looking northwest, towards Crowbar and Salmon
River Long Lakes.  The trail then descends to Crowbar Lake through older spruce - hemlock forest. At Crowbar Lake, the trail follows the scenic 
Salmon River, downstream, and then along Otter Lake. Once past Otter Lake, the trail swings back towards West Lake, with a choice of two routes. 
The longer route offers additional, high viewpoints. Once back at the junction with the West Lake Loop, don’t miss the exquisite “Crows Nest” 
viewpoint off a granite knob right above that junction. Completing the Salmon River loop adds about 4 km to the return trip to Myra Road, or 
about 20 km altogether. 

Some hikers may be familiar with the long-established trail along Salmon River, now part of the Crowbar Lake trail system. This route has long
been a favorite with anglers and hikers, with access off River Road. The upper part of River Road is, however, not maintained, and the former 
access trail crossed a property with a camp operated by the Nova Scotia Hospital Foundation. The Crowbar Lake trail system does not have a trail
head here; please use the trail head at Myra Road.