Descriptions & Directions:
The JC Trail is named for James C.
Moore (known as "JC"), the person instrumental in finding the property, which was
to become the Haliburton Scout Reserve,
and Camp Ranger for 25 years from 1947
until his death in 1972. This trail provides
some of the most challenging hiking and
leads to the farthest points on the property.
The trail starts west at the Hurst
Lake Road and "The Narrows", passes
between the foot of Pikes Peak and the
south shore of Minnie Lake, continues
west to the far west of HSR property on Dudley Road near Drag Lake, then heads north east to join
the Cooper's Loop Trail at Mislaid Lake.
The new markers on this trail will be orange.
The trail starts on the west side of the
Hurst Lake Road just south of "the narrows". It follows along the south shore of
the marsh between Holland and Minnie
Lakes (see What can you find in a Wetland? under the Hurst Lake Road Trail page). When you reach the
east end of Minnie Lake, you will have to follow the Drag River downstream a little
to a beaver dam where you can cross
and return back upstream to continue
along the south shore of Minnie. On your
left, Pikes Peak rises steeply in a series
of tree covered, rock terraces.
About two thirds of the way along the
lake, the Pikes Peak Trail (new blue
markers) will join the JC from the left and
will continue with it to the west end of the
lake. Here the Pikes Peak Trail turns right
(north) and the JC continues west on
what is now a jeep road.
You should note
that from the west end of Minnie Lake to the township road near Drag Lake (Dudley Rd), is the
property of a private hunt club. For many
years, we have had permission to hike
through this land, so please don't do anything which might jeopardize this privilege!
The trail continues on this jeep road
for about 2 1/2 km when it reaches a
gravel township road (Dudley Road, running more or less
north-south at this point).
Turn right at the gate and follow Dudley Road
for about 3/4 km. This road is a recent addition and is not overly scenic. And
please note that this is a busy
road serving cottages and houses on Drag Lake. Plus it is narrow and has a number of
blind curves, so don't forget the usual
safety rules which should apply. You will shortly be back on Scout Reserve property (although there are no signs).
Eventually you will meet the portion of the
JC Trail coming from Mislaid Lake, where
it crosses the road from your right. (If you start to see driveways to cottages on your left, you've gone too far on Dudley Road.) This has also recently been used by loggers working in the northwest section of HSR. (Yes, Scouting is 'using it's resources' for the benefit of all, while trying to be good stewards of the environment.) You
may follow the logging road / trail to the right (north onto HSR property) and continue along a little to a deep valley with what
was a large gravel pit to your left.
Although not a great campsite, if you've hiked all this way you could use this as an overnight stop. You will have to be completely self-sufficient, bringing all your food and water, and be prepared to 'rough-it' on the gravel and rocks of the pit. Being in a hollow, there won't be much breeze and the "HSR Airforce" (a.k.a. "mosquitoes") will be a threat most of the summer. But any patrol hardy enough to take on the full JC Moore Trail must be made of sturdy stuff and one night of 'slight hardship' won't hurt. Maybe tonight you sit around a small campfire and gaze at the stars -- maybe the Northern Lights will make an appearance.
Scouts Canada use to own all the property on the south side of Dudley Road, down to East Bay of Drag Lake. It was a beautiful, large campsite with excellent swimming, even if it was a bit noisy with speed-boats from neighbouring cottages. Unfortunately not many groups were hardy enough to hike the JC Moore Trail this far, and the site seldom got used, except by local teens out for a late-night party. It was decided that Scouting could use the money from the sale of this prime cottage property, so in 2008 it was sold for $1.2 M. (Now a $4 M home sits on our old campsite.)
From Dudley Road to
Mislaid Lake the trail can be followed but, as of
1992, it has been somewhat in disrepair. Early on
it passes through an area which has been
lumbered in recent years. Watch carefully
for the markers and if
you cannot locate the next
marker, leave one person at the last
marker and start searching in a circular
pattern, which you can continue to increase until the marker is located. (See the INTRODUCTION pages of this website for more inforamtion on trail markers.)
When you
reach Mislaid Lake you'll be approaching
the southwest shoreline and the trail
moves around the northwest end of the
lake. The JC Moore Trail ends at the Cooper's Loop Trail
where a small creek flows into the lake.
We hope to conduct renovations on this
trail in the coming years.
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