Crowbar Lake Trail

Location: This hike starts at Otter lake, near lake Echo (Halifax Regional Municipality).

Duration: There are several possibilities for this hike. The quickest hike is out to the lake and back along the same route, which takes about 1 hour. However there are several possible route and loops. The longest route possible could take up to around 7 hours and is about 19kms. The loop which we did (the smallest loop) took us 2 and a half hours, and was about 7kms.

Trail Markings: There are red marks all along the path. When you arrive at some lookouts (clearings at the top of rocks) the next marking may be difficult to spot. Sometimes there are cairns that mark the path. Also at many path intersections there is a map of the hiking trails and a red marker indicating where you are.

Difficulty: Moderate hike. Lots of ups and downs. Trail winds its way through the woods and there are a couple of places you have to climb up or down some rocks.

Noteworthy: Interesting hike in woods, beautiful views over the river and lakes.

Not so positive point: The road leading to the hike had was riddled with holes, some were over 20 cms deep and they were everywhere making it impossible to avoid them.

Description: Another sunny day, another great day for a hike. After getting a bit mixed up in Dartmouth because of our normal bridge being shut, and then missing Sunrise Dr. (yes we were looking for River Dr. and somehow got lost in Snow white and the 7 dwarf land), then fighting the crater size holes in the road we finally arrived to Otter lake to start the hike. The beginning is a bit difficult, we found a path leading into the woods just before the lake. We followed that which lead us to what used to be camp Victoria. Now it is a big field with an abandoned building at the top of the hill and a small lookout sort of dock overlooking the lake. If you cut straight across the field from the direction you came from you will enter the woods, and there if you follow the well marked trail, you will either be lucky enough to start the hike from the very beginning (which we were not), or join up to the right path after about 5 minutes (which was our case). Just make sure that if you are not on a path with a red marker right away, that you want to cross a little river and then keep the water on your left! Soon you will reach the first place where you have a choice of the path you want to take. (indicated in the photo. Notice the little red spot.)

We chose to go left and follow the salmon river until we ended up at Crowbar lake and then decide from there where we were going to go. The hike follows the water but the path is in the woods most of the way. At one point it climbs and opens up onto a little look out. Here you can see Crowbar lake in the distance and the forest stretching for what seems like forever. Here the path was not marked very well with the red markers, but following the Cairns we had no problem to continue on our way.

Arriving to the lake took us around 20 minutes and we decided that we had not walked enough yet (plus we like doing loops) so we decided to continue on the loop which heads to the look-off point, then to West lake, along the lake and back to the starting point at Otter lake. After a little deliberation, we started to climb up to the look-off. This is the one 'big' climb! Though it is not that long or difficult of a climb it does not snake the hill so is a bit more tyring. But the view at the top is worth it!

Following the path you will arrive at the next intersection near West lake.(about half an hour from Crowbar lake). Here you can continue left towards Granite lake and then beyond (Porter's lake), we on the other hand decided to go right and head along the path back toward Otter lake (the shortest loop). The path winds its way through the woods, and it seems that the vegetation changes from one side of the look out point to the other. We went from pine trees to leafy trees. As you follow this path be careful because there is a sign with the trail maps indicated on it, but no marker to say where you are. At this point to continue on the loop back to Otter lake make sure to go RIGHT. After this point the hike continues its ups and downs until you get back to where you started. The loop took us about 2 hours and a half to complete.

All in all this hike is not too difficult. The path is a narrow path through the woods climbs up and down (sometimes over rocks and branches) and is always different. The path is a well known and used path by fishermen and hunters during the fall, so it is not recommended to do this hike during hunting season.

So bring your bathing suit along and even a picnick! And enjoy the paths you decide to follow.

Driving Directions: Take Highway 107 (from Dartmouth), turn off at exit 18. Turn left onto Mineville Road, after about 1 km turn right onto Highway 7.

3 km later turn left onto Circle Dr. After about 200 meters you will arrive at a intersection (three way fork in the road). Turn left onto Sunrise drive. After about 100 meters this road turns into River Drive. Follow this (sometimes very bumpy) road until you arrive at the end; Otter lake. Here you can park your car, however there are no facilities (nor are there any on the hike)