Long Lake lies in a basin in the grasslands, 100 vertical metres lower than the grasslands hills on each side.   The lake is 2 km long, but the chain of ponds in the basin is 4 km long.   The upper end starts in a marshy area near the Community Grasslands Trail.   The lower end is a hike in from the 7km mark on the Lac du Bois Road.  We hiked in to the lower end on single tracks to the end of the lake, crossing the fenceline through a gate, then followed the east side on an old double track.

Long Lake is full of ducks in spring, but it is just a cool and quiet corridor in November.  The winter snows will soon cover the hills and the lake will ice over.   This makes a good snowshoe route in the New Year.

The double track continues past the end of the lake, but we worked our way over to the other side of the lake to return by a shoreline single track, very muddy on this venture.   The snowy hills reflected back into the lake.

Snow had melted on south-facing lower slopes but remained on the upper slopes above.

This narrow single track on the west side to be very muddy and it was slow-going back to the south end of the lake.     From the end of the lake, we wound our ways through the low hills back to our parking area, a total of 8km of hiking.

There are no designated trails to Long Lake.   Park at the curve of the road near the 7km mark.   Hike northeast just inside the fenceline, then follow one of the single track trails to the end of the lake.   Cross the end of the lake through the gate, then hike along the double track on the east side.  We enjoy this route because it has a moderate grade and is scenic over the entire distance.   Just watch out for the wet cow pies lurking under a thin cover of snow.   (:

Coordinates:

• Park/trailhead – N50 45.594 W120 25.215
• South end of Long Lake – N50 46.604 W120 24. 687
• North end – N50 47.475 W120 24.527
• A good spot for lunch – N50 47.276 W120 24.702