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Mountain
Biking on Nut Point Trail
Saskatchewan's Lac La Ronge Provincial Park
©
Outdoor Adventure Canada
 An
exhilarating and challenging mountain bike adventure can be found
on the Nut Point Trail located in northern Saskatchewan's Lac
La Ronge Provincial Park. This 15 km trail meanders through the
woodlands, rocky ridges, boreal forest, and muskeg. The trail
runs along the peninsula that ends at Nut Point. Local wildlife
includes bear, deer, moose, elk and beaver.
Lac La Ronge
Provincial Park is the largest of Saskatchewan's provincial parks.
There are six campgrounds and a hundred lakes. The Churchill River
also runs through the area. The park's serviced campsites have
access to hydro, telephones, water, showers and laundry facilities.
Beaches, playgrounds and picnic areas are nearby. Boat, canoe,
paddleboat and mountain bike rentals are also available.
As you head
out on the trail you will climb a rock ridge and then cycle over
a boardwalk, which protects the muskeg underneath. You will pass
through mossy woods, over another rock ridge to a cairn which
marks the beginning of the trail. Throughout the trip, you will
take your mountain bike up rock ridges, down into low, wet areas
and rumble over boardwalks that protect sensitive areas. You will
pass through black spruce and mixed forest along the way.
After about
5 km you will find a cove with a beaver lodge. Waburton Island
is also visible from here. Halfway through the trail you will
reach Nut Portage. Between kilometers 9 and 10 there are low areas
where water can flow onto the trail. Your efforts here are rewarded
a kilometer later with a small sand beach where you can enjoy
a swim. After the beach there are two more beaver lodges and an
old pole wharf. At approximately 13 km a rocky ridge allows for
a nice view of Nut Bay and Soutar Island, then, shortly after,
you will find area where you will be able to get water from the
shoreline. The next part of the trail can often be flooded by
rainwater. As you near the end of the trail you pass white spruce,
twisted jack pines and a large rock left from the glaciers. Nut
Point, at the end of the trail, has a stone fireplace, campsites
and a spot to swim.
You may interior
camp on the trail but because of the rustic nature of the campsites
you must boil or purify lake water. Camping areas that are close
to water are marked on the trail map. You may also camp at unmarked
locations anywhere along the trail except near privately leased
land or cabins. Make your campsite away from the trail for privacy
and also to protect the trail. Bears are common in the area so
pick up the "Bears and You" pamphlet before you start
your trip. You also will need a good insect repellent. If plan
to bike through you should be prepared for an unscheduled overnight
stay, bring food, water, a tire repair kit and a first aid kit.
Nut Point Portage is a great place to top up your supplies and
get any last minute items you may have forgotten.
When we think
of Saskatchewan we often envision prairies but Nut Point is a
rugged and interesting trail. Its many twists and turns make this
an enjoyable trip.
For
more articles please view the archives.
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