Boreal Trail / Waterhen River: Hike, Bike, Paddle , Run

Meadow Lake Prov. Park Boreal Trail Guide

This dog friendly event spanning 135 km along the Waterhen River and Boreal Trail allows the hiker an option to be able to reduce pack size and take a rest day from hiking by paddling the gear boat between back country campsites. The well maintained multi-use trails through varying terrain are marked every kilometre and at intersections. The crystal clear lakes, and swift flowing rivers offer an exceptional experience for novice to intermediate paddlers. The short distances for cyclists and paddlers will leave plenty of time to take advantage of the great fishing opportunities all along the route. The back country campsites equipped with pit toilets, common area, barbeque, and bear lockers are much nicer than the front country, and all have good places for swimming and bathing.

• Day 1: Cold Lake Trailhead to BT2: Hike 9 km through rolling hills, pine forest, and alpine like meadows while paddlers shuttle the vehicles to Sandy Beach followed by a short paddle to the back country BT2 campsite. ( Includes 6 hours travel and car shuttle from Saskatoon via the Dorintosh Park Office to the Cold Lake Trail Head)
• Day 2: BT2-BT3: Hike 24 km through mixed forest passing by the large Sandy Beach front country campsite. Paddlers travel a distance of 15 km through Pierce and Lapine Lakes.
• Day 3: BT3-BT5: Hike 24 km overlooking Lac des Isles and over the Sukaw Esker while paddlers travel 20km on the Cold River and across Lac des Isles.
• Day 4: BT5-BT7: Hike 22 km alongside the Waterhen River through mixed forest while paddlers have an exciting but short day navigating 15 km of Class 1 and Class 2 whitewater.
• Day 5: BT7-BT8: Hike 22 km backtracking 1km to the junction that diverges from the river and passes by Matheson Lake and around the Mustus Lakes Loop to back country campsite BT8. Paddle 32 km through the low lying area of the lower Waterhen River to the mouth of Rusty Creek and travel upriver through Rusty Lake and the Mustus Lakes to BT8.
• Day 6: BT8-Greig Lake Trailhead: Hike 15 km directly to the trailhead or 36 km via the 4th Mustus Lake Route to finish the entire Boreal Trail System a day early. Paddlers travel 20 km retracing the route back to the Waterhen River and continuing on to the Dorintosh Bridge through a slow moving marshy area with opportunities for shore bird sightings. Paddlers pick up the vehicles and shuttle hikers to the Greig Lake group campsite.
• Day 7: 4th Mustus Lake Loop: Optional hike 22 km to earn your badge for completing the longest and only year round destination trail in the Saskatchewan Parks System.