On the last day of our annual visit to Algonquin Park in May we hiked the Track and Tower trail in Algonquin Park. [http://ontario-hiking.com/track-tower.html] A 7.7 km hike its best that you pack light and bring only water and a snack such as trail mix or jerky. We made the mistake of not bringing anything to drink on our hike. But then again we didn't expect to be hiking for over 3 hours either. We rushed this hike so I recommend planning for a 4 hour hike.
The first kilometer or so is mainly hardwood forest with numerous wildflowers including red trilliums. I have never seen so many in my entire life. In fact I could not find a single white trillium on the entire hike.
We came to Cache lake where you could get a view of where the old railway bridge used to cross the narrow part of the lake. The bridge no longer exists but the trail map shows a picture of where it used to be.
Next we came to the Cache Lake dam log chute. The chute no longer exists but the dam and rapids below are spectacular. The trail crosses over the rapids on a bridge below the dam and up some stairs along side the river. What a beautiful spot! The trail continues beside the rapids for a bit and they can be heard well into the forest. I love the sound of running water. It's so peaceful and relaxing. I could have spent hours at this location but there was more to be seen up ahead.
The hardest part of the hiking trip came next. It was all up hill. We went up a very long flight of stairs, and then rock stairs to the top where there was a lookout and where the old fire tower used to be. Here there was a beautiful view of Cache Lake and surrounding area. I could just imagine what the colours would look like in the fall, you could see for miles.
The trail then loops back down the hill and onto the old railway bed. You can see where the old bridge crosses the Madawaska River. The old cement pillars from the bridge are still in place, but the bridge itself is long gone. It has been replaced by a hiking bridge, seen at the right. This was a very nice spot overlooking the Madawaska River. We walked along the old railway bed for sometime before veering off onto another trail. You could optionally continue on the old railway bed for another 5.5 kilometers, which will lead you to Mewlake Campground. We decided to take the other route back to the parking lot instead, which was only another 2.2 kilometers.
The next spot we came to was Grant Lake, a small quiet lake and surroundings. The lake was like glass, there was no wind. The next part of the hike we were back in the hardwood forest with trilliums and other wild flowers. We rushed this part of the trip so we could get back to the parking lot. There wasn't much to see here other than wild flowers.
Overall, this hiking trail was one of the best hiking trails I have ever taken. A bit long at 7.7 kilometers, but if not rushed it would have been more enjoyable.
The first kilometer or so is mainly hardwood forest with numerous wildflowers including red trilliums. I have never seen so many in my entire life. In fact I could not find a single white trillium on the entire hike.
We came to Cache lake where you could get a view of where the old railway bridge used to cross the narrow part of the lake. The bridge no longer exists but the trail map shows a picture of where it used to be.
Next we came to the Cache Lake dam log chute. The chute no longer exists but the dam and rapids below are spectacular. The trail crosses over the rapids on a bridge below the dam and up some stairs along side the river. What a beautiful spot! The trail continues beside the rapids for a bit and they can be heard well into the forest. I love the sound of running water. It's so peaceful and relaxing. I could have spent hours at this location but there was more to be seen up ahead.
The hardest part of the hiking trip came next. It was all up hill. We went up a very long flight of stairs, and then rock stairs to the top where there was a lookout and where the old fire tower used to be. Here there was a beautiful view of Cache Lake and surrounding area. I could just imagine what the colours would look like in the fall, you could see for miles.
The trail then loops back down the hill and onto the old railway bed. You can see where the old bridge crosses the Madawaska River. The old cement pillars from the bridge are still in place, but the bridge itself is long gone. It has been replaced by a hiking bridge, seen at the right. This was a very nice spot overlooking the Madawaska River. We walked along the old railway bed for sometime before veering off onto another trail. You could optionally continue on the old railway bed for another 5.5 kilometers, which will lead you to Mewlake Campground. We decided to take the other route back to the parking lot instead, which was only another 2.2 kilometers.
The next spot we came to was Grant Lake, a small quiet lake and surroundings. The lake was like glass, there was no wind. The next part of the hike we were back in the hardwood forest with trilliums and other wild flowers. We rushed this part of the trip so we could get back to the parking lot. There wasn't much to see here other than wild flowers.
Overall, this hiking trail was one of the best hiking trails I have ever taken. A bit long at 7.7 kilometers, but if not rushed it would have been more enjoyable.