Hike to
McKaskill Lake Cabin
Feb. 5, 2025
We planned to hike along the cart trail from the Bonnechere River to the cabin on McKaskill Lake. After leaving the river you begin to climb a series of high hills that are part of the Madawaska Highliands. The terrain rises from 305 m at the river to a high point of 460 m on the hydro line above Vireo Lake. Map courtesy of Maps by Jeff.
Starting point - the Bonnechere River at the hydro line. It was a frigid morning.
The portage to Vireo Lake.
The portage from McKaskill Lk to Roundbush Lk crosses the road on the flat stretch ahead of us. We would stay along the hydro line for another two kilometers beyond the portage to a trail that goes to the cabin on McKaskill.
Arrival at the cabin -- it took us approx. 2.5 hrs to cover the 11.3 km
View of the lake from the cabin.
Looking toward the portage to Dove Lk.
It felt colder in the cabin than outdoors. It was better once we got a fire started.
One of the few flat stretches along the route.
Almost back to the truck. Considering how cold the day had been the overarching question on both our minds at this point was "Will the truck start?" It did.
