The listed trails start from the Paradise Meadows trailhead, on Mt. Washington, about a 40 minute drive from Home Depot.
There are a number of hikes which can be undertaken from the trailhead, ranging from a simple circuit around the Paradise Meadows boardwalk trail (basically flat; about 2.5km) to...well, the sky is the limit!
Those with only 3 hours available for a workout can settle for the Lake Helen McKenzie loop at around 8km in length (Grade 2.5, with a climb up to the lake, an undulating trail along the north side of the lake and then the descent back down to the Paradise Meadows boardwalk. The elevation gain is 70m...this is a fairly easy hike on well-developed trails through a mix of sub-alpine meadows alternating with elevation gains).
And then, there are more energetic hikes...
Click on file to open:
There are a number of hikes which can be undertaken from the trailhead, ranging from a simple circuit around the Paradise Meadows boardwalk trail (basically flat; about 2.5km) to...well, the sky is the limit!
Those with only 3 hours available for a workout can settle for the Lake Helen McKenzie loop at around 8km in length (Grade 2.5, with a climb up to the lake, an undulating trail along the north side of the lake and then the descent back down to the Paradise Meadows boardwalk. The elevation gain is 70m...this is a fairly easy hike on well-developed trails through a mix of sub-alpine meadows alternating with elevation gains).
And then, there are more energetic hikes...
Click on file to open:
| mt_washington_trails_map.pdf |
1. CROTEAU LAKE
This hike starts out as an easy hike on boardwalk, becoming a bit rougher heading up to Lake Helen McKenzie and then rougher yet as one heads further on. While on the Lake Helen McKenzie loop, the trail diverts southwards from the eastern edge of the Lake, leading past a few intervening lakes (eg Lady Lake) until it reaches Croteau Lake. Total trail length is about 14km (including the Lake H.M. loop); it takes around 5 hours to complete.
Grade: 3.5
Click on photos to open or cursor over for captions:
This hike starts out as an easy hike on boardwalk, becoming a bit rougher heading up to Lake Helen McKenzie and then rougher yet as one heads further on. While on the Lake Helen McKenzie loop, the trail diverts southwards from the eastern edge of the Lake, leading past a few intervening lakes (eg Lady Lake) until it reaches Croteau Lake. Total trail length is about 14km (including the Lake H.M. loop); it takes around 5 hours to complete.
Grade: 3.5
Click on photos to open or cursor over for captions:
2. KWAI LAKE
The trail length is about 15 kms, taking about 6 hours, with an total elevation gain of about 185 meters and offers hikers access to beautiful sub-alpine lakes and mountain vistas. One climbs up from Paradise Meadows to the eastern side of Lake Helen McKenzie and then continues on southwards past Croteau Lake until arriving at Kwai Lake.
Rounding the lake on its southern side, one then loops northwards to make the return to Lake Helen McKenzie, arriving on its western edge. Halfway along this stretch, there is a switchback descent which is relatively steep and from this descent to Lake H.M., the trail often tends to be muddy - best to do this one during drier periods!
At the west edge of Lake H.M., one has the choice of hiking straight back to the trailhead (a distance of around 3km, which is included in the 15km total length), or of completing the Lake H.M. loop, adding an additional 1.3km to the 15km route.
Grade: 4
Click on photos to open or cursor over for captions:
The trail length is about 15 kms, taking about 6 hours, with an total elevation gain of about 185 meters and offers hikers access to beautiful sub-alpine lakes and mountain vistas. One climbs up from Paradise Meadows to the eastern side of Lake Helen McKenzie and then continues on southwards past Croteau Lake until arriving at Kwai Lake.
Rounding the lake on its southern side, one then loops northwards to make the return to Lake Helen McKenzie, arriving on its western edge. Halfway along this stretch, there is a switchback descent which is relatively steep and from this descent to Lake H.M., the trail often tends to be muddy - best to do this one during drier periods!
At the west edge of Lake H.M., one has the choice of hiking straight back to the trailhead (a distance of around 3km, which is included in the 15km total length), or of completing the Lake H.M. loop, adding an additional 1.3km to the 15km route.
Grade: 4
Click on photos to open or cursor over for captions:
3. CRUICKSHANK CANYON LOOKOUT
At Kwai Lake, the hiker can take a side trail to the Cruickshank Canyon Lookout - a further distance of 3km (return) and involving an additonal elevation grade of 60m. The trail passes Mariwood Lake and Lake Beautiful. Expect to tack on an additional hour to the Kwai Lake Loop trail to include this lookout, bringing the total hike to around 7 hours. It is well worth the day to do this one!
Grade: 4.5
Click on photos to open or cursor over for captions:
At Kwai Lake, the hiker can take a side trail to the Cruickshank Canyon Lookout - a further distance of 3km (return) and involving an additonal elevation grade of 60m. The trail passes Mariwood Lake and Lake Beautiful. Expect to tack on an additional hour to the Kwai Lake Loop trail to include this lookout, bringing the total hike to around 7 hours. It is well worth the day to do this one!
Grade: 4.5
Click on photos to open or cursor over for captions:
