As snowshoeing expands, we see more and more people looking for good snowshoe routes in our area.   One of the best is Hanging Valley.  Park at Lac du Bois and go through the orange gate on the north side of the lake.   This gate was installed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada to keep motorized vehicles out of the grasslands and forest to the west.

Follow the double track around the lake on the north side, then continue into the back valley.   Follow the track down the valley to the end and back,  a total of 11km.   The route gently drops in elevation, going through pastures, then through aspen groves and some fir stands.   The old double track is now crossed by some deadfall, but the forest is thin here so the bypasses are easy.   A second orange gate is found halfway down, the border with Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area (Park).   Continue on to a meadow near the end.   Beyond this grassy opening, the terrain drops away into gullies which all lead down to the Tranquille River.  Find a good place for lunch (we cleared off some logs), then return by the same route, a slow climb back to the parking area.   A good set of snowshoe tracks has already been set, or you can make your own.   The return trek is about 3 hours so pick a good day and enjoy Hanging Valley.

Also, see:  Snowshoe Routes – Hanging Valley