Depot Lake Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

This route includes the highlights of the White Trail (beautiful views over Second Depot Lake) and the Yellow Trail (rugged forest, interesting rock formations, Rowley's Rapids).

Parking: $5 per vehicle, per day. Annual Pass $50.00.

Begin at the trailhead closest to the seasonal campsites. If you are here for a day trip, park at the main office and use the Seasonal Sites Road to access the trailhead.

Follow the White Trail which takes you on a gentle run through forests and near the edge of Second Depot Lake. There is one nice viewpoint just past the Red Trail fork, and a bench you can sit on and enjoy the scenery.

Continue along the White Trail almost to the end; you'll reach a fork with a signpost indicating that Rowley's Rapids is some 500m to the right. Go right, - this is now the Yellow Trail - through a wide section of the trail, which leads to a small (unnamed) lake. Depending on the season, the trail could possibly be underwater, or covered in snow/ice, but you'll skirt the bottom of the lake, to your right, for only a short while before the trail is marked again with yellow markers. Right after you reenter the treeline, there's a fork. You could go left if you want to make this run a few kilometers longer; for this route, we keep right to take the Yellow Trail Cutback.

The Yellow Trail Cutback is a somewhat rugged segment through beautiful forests. Follow it until the fork. Go right and follow the Yellow Trail (East) until you can hear rapids. Then take a very brief dip onto the Orange Trail. Enjoy The Falls at Depot Lakes, and then return to the Yellow Trail (East). This section's a little confusing; don't go back the way you came. Follow the Orange Trail (Portage Route) left for 25m or so then you'll see the Yellow Trail (East) continue onwards.

The next section of the Yellow Trail (East) features the Canadian Shield prominently, so lots of bald rocks but also some nice forested segments. It's a bit more rugged, but also there's some interesting terrain.

Then you'll join back up to the White Trail - be careful! It's easy to miss this fork and just keep going (then you end up hiking in a circle). Turn left at the fork, and you'll retrace your steps, back past the viewpoint. Then take the Red Trail back for variety. The Red Trail comes out on the road, but you only need to follow it for 25m or so before you're back at the trailhead.

Out on the trail you may see deer, moose, black bears, a variety of bird species and many other small creatures.