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      This is a large network of old-school backcountry mountain bike trails. They are primarily very narrow singletrack through a huge forest area. Trails are typically on un-graded, un-raked Canadian shield so expect lots of granite and steep ups and downs. These are not modern "flowy" trails for the most part but are amazing if you like a technical challenge with lots of unique, rugged, and beautiful scenery. Expect many beaver dam crossings, mossy outcrops and other unique features (hint, don't wear your best white socks). Some of the black trails are like trials courses at times so be prepared. Wide, burly tires are recommended due to the granite, leave the 1.9" semi-slicks at home, 7km/hr is a pretty good average speed.

      Trail maintenance is done by very few people so expect fallen trees and if you have a folding saw, bring it. Any help clearing deadfall, limbs, branches etc is welcome and greatly appreciated Trails are sporadically marked with metal tags nailed to trees with the trail number on them and "Shabomeka Legpower Pathfinders". You will note piles of rocks or rocks standing on edge marking the trails periodically. Intersections are often marked with piles of rocks. Trail map pdf is linked below. Navigation can be challenging, particularly on the more difficult trails as they see few riders. Looking for areas where low-hanging branches have been removed is often helpful in finding the trail when it gets faint. Cell service in the area is sporadic but the GPS maps are pretty accurate.

      *** If you are interested in helping with trail maintenance please message me through this site! We need many hands to get this network back up and running after the storms of 2022. ***

      A 60 km network of beautifully scenic paths for non-motorized use only meandering through a wide variety of habitats in the forest heartland surrounding Shabomeka Lake in the Madawaska Highlands of the Land O’ Lakes region of Eastern Ontario. Hiking and mountain biking in the spring, summer and fall. Ski touring in the winter.

      Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act, path users are deemed to willingly assume the risks of injury. Exemplary consideration for the paths and for others is expected of all users. Those with motorized vehicles are of course asked to refrain from using or altering the paths. Use of the Shabomeka LEGPOWER Pathfinders paths implies a responsibility on the part of the user to regard their use, whether on private property or Crown Land, to be a privilege, not a right. You are expected to conduct yourself as a guest, not an intruder.

      The sLp path network is just southeast of Bon Echo Provincial Park. 3.7 km north of Cloyne turn east off Hwy 41 onto Head Rd. at the south end of Mazinaw Lake. Pass Cedar Lodge, cross the bridge. Just past Bon Echo Family Campsites (1.0 km from Hwy 41) turn left onto Shabomeka Lake Road for 5.7 km to a short causeway, where Shawenegog Lake Lane begins. After 0.4 km turn left into driveway 1067 marked PEARCE 22/23/EKELI (Norwegian for 'Sheltering Oaks'). The pathhead is 1067B.

      Please DO NOT use skinny Nordic skis on the paths.
      It’s important to understand the vast difference between ski touring (ungroomed) and Nordic (groomed) skiing in terms of conditions, equipment, and technique. Ski touring tracks LOOK like grooves, but are really raised rails, as the only packed snow is directly under the skis. A ski travelling only a centimetre or two off the centre of the ‘rail’ will fall off into the soft snow on either side, effectively destroying the track for others, as well as wrecking the skier’s own enjoyment. Touring skis are wide because that makes them effective in soft snow. Nordic skis are very narrow to operate most efficiently in hard grooves, or packed snow for ‘skating’. There is no incentive in Nordic skiing to learn to glide the skis exactly parallel to each other because they HAVE to go parallel in the machine made tracks. Thus, Nordic skiers find it impossible to stay on touring tracks/rails with their skinny skis, and very difficult even when they use wide skis. Nordic skiers also find the 5 cm spacing between ski touring tracks awkward, as they are used to the crotch-splitting 20 cm spacing of machine-made tracks.

      The essence of ski touring is tip and edge control, two factors pretty much missing in Nordic skiing. Ski paths, especially after a thaw, consist of many small to large moguls. Every time the centre of the ski goes over the apex of a mogul it will want to pivot. Only constant precise positioning of the tip by ankle and knee will prevent the ski from pivoting off the track. Similarly, the varying texture of the snow will make the ski want to cant and slide instantly off the track. Again, only ankle and knee edge control can counter this. The paths are not groomed, and since you won’t be able to count on another skier preceding you to lay a track, you’ll have to assume you’ll be breaking your own track. A FLAT and EVEN track, that is, as a courtesy to those who follow. This is when having learned to parallel glide becomes very important. Developing this skill will take a lot of practice, but it’s worth it. Practise gliding rather than clomping around flat curves, and telemarking on all downhill curves.

      Touring skis should be from 60 mm to 75 mm wide. They’re light, extremely stable, and will break track all day long. Check out ski sales. Wide, unfashionable skis are generally the ones being sold off at very low prices. The only way to decide between ‘wax’ and ‘waxless’ (neither being perfect) is to try each. Waxed skis and technique can almost eliminate ‘herringboning’ up hills. Poly-soled skis are good for both early or late in the season because of their abrasion resistance. The classic type of 3-pin Nordic Norm binding works best for ski touring. The standard ‘armpit’ pole length is fine, especially for deeper snow, but baskets should be at least 100 mm in diameter.

      For ski touring, clothing ‘fashion’ is obviously not a big factor, as there are not a lot of people out there to impress. Wear the outdoor clothes you feel most comfortable in. Don’t forget to dress in layers that you can remove when you get too warm, as in hiking and cycling. A small knapsack will hold discarded jackets, sweaters, and gloves, as well as your waxes, compass, matches, lunch, drinks, and an indispensable tool: a small hand windshield scraper to get frozen slush off the bottom of your skis, and packed snow from under your boots.

      Please DO NOT use snowshoes on the paths. Snowshoes aren’t quite as destructive as that ski touring nemesis – the cursed snowmobile, but they do ruin the ski touring experience.

      I am sad to report that the creator of this trail network and founder of The Shabomeka Legpower Pathfinders, Glen Pearce, passed away this past winter. His obituary is here:
      https://www.milestonefuneralcenter.com/obituary/Glen-Pearce#tributewall
      The trails he created are a testament to his vision, enduring dedication and love for the outdoors.
      Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
      AKA: Shabomeka Legpower Pathfinders
      Land Status: Crown Land
      Parking google parking directions
      Access Info:
      The entrance to trail #1A is a good parking spot and good access point to some of the more moderate trails. Turtle Beach, 1km east of trail 1A on the north side of Shawenagog Lake Lane is another great option and is just past the entrance to 1B (gravel road).
      Disclaimer:
      Shabomeka LEGPOWER Pathfinders Vice-President Greg Alexander has fully reflectorized sLp path # 10 for night hiking, biking, or ski touring.
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      Region Details
      • 3
      • 3
      • 33
      • 24

      Region Status
      Caution as of Oct 19, 2024

      Stats

      Avg Trail Rating
      Trails (view details)
      63
      Trails Mountain Bike
      63
      Trails Hike
      63
      Trails Trail Running
      63
      Trails Snowshoe
      1
      Trails Nordic Ski
      1
      Total Distance
      30 miles
      Total Descent
      2,685 ft
      Total Vertical
      242 ft
      Highest Trailhead
      1,137 ft
      Reports
      157
      Photos
      52
      Ridden Counter
      652

      Photos of Shabomeka Lake Mountain Bike

      18 |
      Sep 17, 2024 @ 7:28am
      Sep 17, 2024
      trail: SLP #6C
      12 |
      Sep 17, 2024 @ 7:25am
      Sep 17, 2024
      trail: SLP #6C
      13 |
      Sep 17, 2024 @ 7:25am
      Sep 17, 2024
      trail: SLP#6
      24 |
      Jul 23, 2024 @ 6:53pm
      Jul 23, 2024
      | 1 comments
      58 |
      Sep 11, 2023 @ 3:50am
      Sep 11, 2023
      trail: SLP #2
      50 |
      Sep 8, 2023 @ 5:24pm
      Sep 8, 2023
      67 |
      Aug 7, 2023 @ 10:16am
      Aug 7, 2023
      57 |
      Jul 21, 2023 @ 7:34am
      Jul 21, 2023

      Videos of Shabomeka Lake Mountain Bike

      Ride Somewhere new - Shabomeka Lake Madventure...

      19:35 | 140 | Oct 10, 2023

      Recent Trail Reports

      statustraildateconditioninfouser
      SLP #3C Entrance
      Oct 19, 2024 @ 2:48pm
      Oct 19, 2024
      IdealHike Dry, Clear. Recent leaves obscure some...Ktown_Canuck
      SLP #3B Beaver Dam Beauty
      Aug 11, 2024 @ 7:52am
      Aug 11, 2024
      VariableHike Several trees down still, not passable by...Ktown_Canuck
      SLP #3A Levere's Access
      Aug 11, 2024 @ 7:52am
      Aug 11, 2024
      VariableHike Still some cleanup to do.Ktown_Canuck
      SLP #5C
      Aug 7, 2024 @ 6:37pm
      Aug 7, 2024
      Dry Cleared end to end. Thanks Louren Reddick!deleenhe SLP
      SLP #5
      Aug 7, 2024 @ 6:36pm
      Aug 7, 2024
      Ideal Got rid of the big pine, all clear!deleenhe SLP
      SLP #3 Sand Pit Shortcut
      Aug 6, 2024 @ 4:40pm
      Aug 6, 2024
      Ideal Cleared and leaf blown.deleenhe SLP
      SLP Box Canyon Bypass
      Aug 6, 2024 @ 4:39pm
      Aug 6, 2024
      IdealCleared and leaf blown.deleenhe SLP
      SLP #2G Erratic Valley
      Aug 6, 2024 @ 4:34pm
      Aug 6, 2024
      Dry deleenhe SLP
      SLP #2B Box Canyon Falls
      Aug 6, 2024 @ 4:33pm
      Aug 6, 2024
      Dry deleenhe SLP
      SLP Pine Sifting
      Jul 23, 2024 @ 6:42pm
      Jul 23, 2024
      Variable clear and leaf blown end to end.deleenhe SLP

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      mattyemtbwishlistregionactivity #61902702
      Nov 16, 2024 @ 6:11pm
      Nov 16, 2024
      Ktown_Canuckaddreportactivity #60666863
      Oct 19, 2024 @ 2:48pm
      Oct 19, 2024
      Ktown_Canuckriddentrailactivity #60666827
      Oct 19, 2024 @ 2:46pm
      Oct 19, 2024
      mjsvotetrailactivity #59152004
      Sep 19, 2024 @ 2:35pm
      Sep 19, 2024
      mjsaddtrailactivity #59146142 and 2 more
      Sep 19, 2024 @ 12:23pm
      Sep 19, 2024

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      mjstrailSLP Berry BottomWell marked with rocks. Large tree fallen...
      Sep 15, 2024 @ 3:21pm
      Sep 15, 2024
      natedagreattrailSLP #4Fmissing the gps data
      Jul 25, 2023 @ 6:40pm
      Jul 25, 2023
      mtbtrailquesttrailSLP #1AOk trail to gain access to the good stuff....
      Sep 8, 2020 @ 8:20am
      Sep 8, 2020
      mtbtrailquesttrailSLP #5Some land rock scapes worthy of a manicured...
      Sep 8, 2020 @ 8:18am
      Sep 8, 2020
      deleenhereportSLP #3You can enter on trail 3C or on the gravel...
      Jul 24, 2019 @ 1:51pm
      Jul 24, 2019

      Nearby Areas

      namedistance
      Bon Echo Provincial Park4.7 km
      Lennox & Addington Forest 7 614.2 km
      Puzzle Lake Provincial Park 122.2 km
      Scotch Settlement 130 km
      Manitou Mountain 2 16 530.7 km

      Local Badges


      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesridelogs
      Mountain Bike6330 miles2,684 ft10 miles243 ft
      #7,590#173521572173
      Hike6330 miles2,684 ft10 miles243 ft
      #6,603#169157105
      Trail Running6330 miles2,684 ft10 miles243 ft
      #6,591#16915712
      Snowshoe12 miles177 ft3,333 ft131 ft
      1
      Nordic Ski12 miles177 ft3,333 ft131 ft
      1
      • By deleenheTF Pro SLP & contributors
      • Admins: SLP
      • #10898 - 22,082 views

      Downloading of trail gps tracks in kml & gpx formats is enabled for Shabomeka Lake.
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