Bushwhack to Zigzag Lake
April 27, 2025
In the past, the old portage trail from Upper Pine Lake to Tarn Lake, which is now grown over, ran parallel to Zigzag Creek to a point where it crossed the creek and then headed to Richards Lake and from there on to Tarn. However, at the Zigzag Creek cross-over point a second trail went west to Grass-pink Lake. If someone was to go east from the cross-over point, following Zigzag Creek, you would come to Zigzag Lake (see map below).
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We had previously bushwhacked along this route to Grass-pink and to Tarn, but had never been to Zigzag Lake, so using this route to reach Zigzag was our goal for this first spring hike of 2025. Zigzag can also be accessed by bushwhacking across country from a logging road that approaches the lake from the east, however, we wanted to travel this historic and more isolated route.
The route for a hike we made to Tarn Lake (red line). Our route to Grass-pink (blue line). The goal of this hike, Zigzag Lake (green circle). Base map courtesy of Maps by Jeff.
Starting point -- the Park boundary on Pine River, above Lower Pine Lake.
There was a heavy flow of water over the beaver dam and a strong current. Last year, when we hiked to Grass-pink at the end of March we stripped down and waded across the river. This year, getting a little smarter with age, we brought hip waders for the crossing. As a child, more than 60 years ago, I can recall when there was a bridge crossing the river here.
We used a walking stick as a brace against the current and for balance on a rocky river bottom. In the deepest section the water was up to the thighs.
After crossing the river you get a good view of Eagle Rock above us. We stored the waders among the trees for the return journey. As we would soon discover, the waders would have been useful at several points along the way, but were too heavy to consider carrying with us.
Last sign of snow on the trail to Upper Pine Lake. When we returned in the afternoon it had melted.
Upper Pine Lake
There were groups of ducks along the river, not visible in the picture.
In this area there were many young beech trees, their faded leaves shining in the sunlight. Beech trees retain their leaves throughout the winter.
Over the past six years we have come across numerous balloons that have drifted into the Park. We've been keeping count -- this is our 10th find. A Google search suggests air currents can carry a helium-filled balloon hundreds or even thousands of miles. A simple latex balloon could travel hundreds of miles, while a Mylar (foil coated) balloon, even at slower speeds, can potentially travel over 1,000 miles.
Our first obstacle -- water was racing down a wide ravine toward Upper Pine Lake. We searched a short distance in both directions to find a place to cross, and ultimately decided we would have to walk upstream until we could find a crossing and then double back toward the lake.
We eventually found a log we could use to get across. The first of several log crossings we would make. The detour took about 25 minutes.
Here we are above Upper Pine Lake -- the trail ends and from this point on it means bushwhacking.
Zigzag Creek - this is a particularly nice spot in early spring before everything leafs out.
For a short video of the creek click on the following link: https://youtu.be/J3IFFgkn-78
After leaving the creek we had one more stream to cross. This time we were able to jump across.
Moving north you begin to climb some higher terrain, along a hillside strewn with monstrous boulders.
Climbing higher we went over several moss-covered outcrops -- a slippery surface with water running under the moss.
Zigzag Lake in the distance. Always nice when the destination comes into view. However, we were not able to go directly to the lake. There is a large marsh we had to get around before reaching the lake.
Arrival at Zigzag Lake
Lunch - the ice had probably been off the lake for only a few days, so the breeze was cool coming off the water.
It felt good to stretch out in the sun after walking for 4 hours.
After lunch we explored along the shoreline and came to a lovely stream running down a steep hillside to the lake.
Heading back -- one of the advantages of hiking in April, in addition to the absence of blackflies, is that the bush is very open allowing you to see distances and observe features that are not apparent later in the season.
By this point we were getting pretty good at finding logs to cross on in order to keep feet dry.
We're back at the north end of Upper Pine Lake -- foundation of the ranger cabin on the lake.
The view of the lake rangers would have had from the cabin.
In this area where there are deep crevices in the rocks we saw numerous signs of wolf scat. The hair and bone fragments suggested they had been eating deer. On this hike we did come across 3 deer along the route, all looking to be in good shape.
First wild flowers of spring. This area was probably still covered with snow a week earlier.
Our route
A final note:
This was one of the warmest days of the spring, so by 3:30 PM when we got back to the river bank and put on the waders, the melt and runoff that had occurred throughout the day had increased considerably the flow of water over the beaver dam. As a result the current was much stronger. But we took our time and made the crossing without incident.