Added by Hike Bike Travelon May 21, 2014
Saved under Canada, The Prairies
Tags: backpacking, Boreal Trail, Goodsoil, Meadow Lake Provincial Park, Saskatchewan

I am just back from hiking five sections of the Boreal Trail located inin northwestern Saskatchewan. The whole trail runs most of the length of the park, spanning a distance of about 125 kilometers.

It can be done as an epic backpacking trip, but just as easily, you can hike various sections of the trail, depending on how much time you have. That’s exactly what John and I did over the May long weekend.

We started at the western end of the Boreal Trail – right at the intersection of Cold Lake and Cold River. Our plan on the first day was to hike 16 kilometers one way to the Sandy Lake Campground where we had left our car. Beforehand, we had arranged a shuttle with; otherwise we would have had to retrace our steps or try our luck with hitchhiking.

The western end of the Boreal Trail starts at Cold Lake

Looking down the Cold River at the start of the Boreal Trail

The Boreal Trail runs through the Boreal forest – a rich ecosystem, about 1000 kilometers wide, that separates the northern tundra from the westerly temperate rainforest and southerly coniferous woodlands. The Boreal forest, also known as taiga, is the biggest intact forest on the planet; in Canada there are approximately three million square kilometers of Boreal forest. You’ll also find the Boreal forest in Russia, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

The Boreal Trail in Saskatchewan is one of the few trails, and the only long distance trail in Canada to my knowledge, that actually showcases the beauty of the Boreal forest.

Looking north from the Boreal Trail, there is nothing but a vast wilderness of forest and lakes until you reach the tundra in the Northwest Territories.

Big Boreal Trail signs at either end of the trail

This section of the Boreal Trail offers delightfully easy hiking over flat to gently rolling terrain. The trail is wide, ATV wide and yes, unfortunately you might run into occasional vehicles. We did on one occasion on the first day.

The trail to Sandy Beach Campsite took us by two backcountry campsites – all boasting bear lockers, a composting toilet and a fire pit. They were both beautifully situated, as were all other backcountry campsites we encountered over the weekend.

The beauty of the Boreal Trail is that you have a choice of camping at nine backcountry or eight front country campsites.

One majestic stand after another of aspen trees can be seen along the Boreal Trail

Collapsed aspen tree looks like a horse head to me

Looking across the Cold River to surprisingly colourful hills from the first backcountry campsite

You hike past open sections with dramatic big skies

Backcountry campsite BT1, located 5.1 kms from the trailhead; all campsites have bear lockers and a fire pit

The Boreal Trail is generally well signed. Approximately every kilometer you run into a post stating that you’re on the Boreal Trail. I did find at the end of the first day near Sandy Lake Campground that signage was in short supply. There are loads of well-trodden game trails that should not be mistaken for the Boreal Trail.

Do carry a proper topographical map on this hike. It’s included with your backcountry permit.

We came across this bear trap – at least that’s what I think it is

The Pasque flowers are one of the first signs that tell you spring has finally arrived

We stumbled across a Great Blue Heron Rookery along the trail – and saw about 10 of the birds flying around

Most of the trails we were on were wide like this and flat or gently rolling

We must have seen at least a dozen carcasses over the five sections of trail including a fresh kill with the coyote or wolf howling beside it (we got a glimpse but don’t know which it was for sure)

Looking through the trees to one of the 25 lakes dotting Meadow Lake Provincial Park

Lots of small ponds with loads of birds can be seen along sections of the Boreal Trail

Walking into backcountry campsite BT2 on Pierce Lake was nothing short of magical

If you do plan to camp in the backcountry, then make sure you contact Meadow Lake Provincial Park at least two weeks prior to your arrival and fill out the necessary forms that you’ll find

The ice was still along the shoreline in places on Pierce Lake

Gorgeous cloud reflections in Pierce Lake

By the 14 km mark our dog is ready to call it a day

The final section of trail for the day requires crossing a large beaver dam

We saw loads of white tailed deer especially along the road through the park

To make things easy on this trip, we decided to car camp in the park. It wasn’t very busy for a long weekend, mostly because the ice was late leaving the lake. Our campsite both nights was just up from the lake – and in my mind there’s nothing like being lulled to sleep by the sound of loons and woken in the morning by songbirds.

The birdlife on the hike was fantastic. Not only did we come across the heron rookery, but we saw about 10 rose breasted grosbeaks in one small area, numerous warblers, at least six duck species, swans and more. John is still putting together a birding list from the weekend.

Our day ends with a beautiful sunset at the Sandy Beach Campground – with loons calling in the background

Our first day on the Boreal Trail was a treat and not what I expected. The hiking took us between stands of pine and spruce and then back into great swaths of aspen – that must be stunning in the fall. We also beat the bugs on this trip – but I’m not so sure I’ll be so lucky on another trip planned to Saskatchewan in July.

If you’re not a camper but you want to do day hikes on the Boreal Trail, then there are two excellent options.

In Pierceland you can stay atand enjoy an awesome cooked to order breakfast made by Sharon and a very comfortable bed for $95 per night. Your other choice is a room in the soon to be openedlocated on the west side of Greig Lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park.

**Thank you to Tourism Saskatchewanfor helping to underwrite a good part of this trip.**

Today I’m linking up with Budget Travelers Sandboxwhere you can find even more photo inspiration.

Leigh McAdam

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About Hike Bike Travel
Avid world traveler. Craves adventure – & the odd wildly epic day. Gardener. Reader. Wine lover. Next big project – a book on 100 Canadian outdoor adventures.
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