Ardbeg Trail

[archee29]

Hi everyone,

Anyone done the Ardbeg Trail? If so, could you possibly post the location of the trail please (Google Maps, or something else)? I can't seem to find how to access the entrance. Also, if anyone has done the trail, would you mind providing your thoughts on it please (tips, tricks, any other info)? I plan to drive my '10 TE T4R to it next year (I don't have any AT tires right now).

 

[jz8ty]

I ran the Ardbeg south trail this past long weekend. I've been there tons of times over the past 5 yrs.

There's a lot of great private camping spots along the 3 trail system. The photo above is on the South trail near the Bunny Trail Exit.
The photo below is Blk Lake on the opposite side of the of the lake. No where near the beach

Rule 1 don't run the trail alone.
Even with my experience of the trail and my trucks capabilitys I got stuck twice. Once I got high centered trying to avoid a water hole. I was able to get out with a gentle tuck the other time I got hung up on some big rocks in a water hole, but I was able to get out by using my lockers.

It is a stock friendly trail. But you need to pick you path.
The south trail is about 32km long from Black Lake to the Hydro Station.
The North Trail is about 10-15 km from Black Lake to the train tracks.
Black Lake Loop is not stock friendly any more.


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[jz8ty]

To get to the trail head you need to gas up in Perry Sound. Or you can try loggers station in Ardbeg. Loggers Station has gas, a general store and a small dinner.

Once in Ardbeg just drive down clear lake rd til you come to a large sandy parking lot. That's black lake. If you turn left that's the South trail. If you drive to the lake and follow rd to right that's the North trail !

Shared route
From Ardbeg to 84 Clear Lake Rd via Clear Lake Rd.

24 min (8.2 km)
24 min in current traffic


1. Head west on ON-520 N toward McDonald Dr
2. Arrive at location: 84 Clear Lake Rd

For the best route in current traffic visit https://goo.gl/maps/SHV2ZCXt9GP2

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[ORO]

Great info above.
Would be worth joining OF4WD as well.
Tons of great info on there.

 

[archee29]

Thanks @jz8ty ! That's exactly the info I was looking for! A lot of really good info.

 

[archee29]

@nezzie09 True, I was planning on joining, but their membership period runs from Jan-Dec. Not on the date you sign up. So, I'm waiting until the Jan of '18 to sign up

 

[ORO]

@nezzie09 True, I was planning on joining, but their membership period runs from Jan-Dec. Not on the date you sign up. So, I'm waiting until the Jan of '18 to sign up

That makes sense.
I know they drop the price in October to a prorated price for the end of the season as well.
No idea what they drop it to though.

 

[archee29]

@nezzie09 Ya, I remember reading about that. I'll see what the price drops to once October hits.

 

[four'running]

Can you get past the train tracks to the north? If love to get to the magnetawan river and fish it...

 

[jz8ty]

You CAN NOT access that part of the trail anymore. We tried last weekend we enter Harris Lake rd from hwy 69 but it was gated and signed

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[four'running]

Guess I sat on the pot too long for that one.....

 

[jz8ty]

Now if you wanted you could enter the other way which is Ardbeg North trail. But you would have to cross 2 sets of train tracks on a blind turn. And from my understanding the train took out a jeep a couple years ago.

I don't recommend it!


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[k_dipietro]

Thanks for the info! I can say that the GPS file that OF4WD seems to be pretty comprehensive, breaking down the trail heads, the north and south trails, and the black lake loop trail. Their GPS file does end the North trail just before the tracks. They rate it as a 3 out of 5 difficulty trail, so I wasn't sure if my stock Wrangler would make it through. I'm planning to go up with some friends this summer. Thanks!

 

[Zeonprime]

A local pointed me to the Parry Sound GIS website. Pretty handy showing the property lines and far more details than an ol' google map satellite photo.

So to be clear, only the NORTH access from Harris Lake Rd is closed. Access from Ardbeg is still good??

 

[jz8ty]

A local pointed me to the Parry Sound GIS website. Pretty handy showing the property lines and far more details than an ol' google map satellite photo.

So to be clear, only the NORTH access from Harris Lake Rd is closed. Access from Ardbeg is still good??

Harris Lake is closed.
Access to Black Lake from Ardbeg on Clear lake rd.

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[gtilford]

Thanks for the info! I can say that the GPS file that OF4WD seems to be pretty comprehensive, breaking down the trail heads, the north and south trails, and the black lake loop trail. Their GPS file does end the North trail just before the tracks. They rate it as a 3 out of 5 difficulty trail, so I wasn't sure if my stock Wrangler would make it through. I'm planning to go up with some friends this summer. Thanks!

I took a bone stock 2015 Cherokee Trail Hawk on the North trail last year right to the train tracks, some real deep mud holes just use the by passes, a really deep (water coming over the hood deep) water crossing thanks to a beaver, spent a bit of time there dismantling a bit of the dam and dropping the water level by a foot to cross. Make sure you don't go alone, make sure someone has at least one winch and take your time and enjoy the challenge. I have gone up there since the early 80s trails are some what easier then then but also harder in spots because they are dig out. Remember tread lightly and pack out everything you take on and a bit more.

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[Therby]

I was there this weekend. May 5,2018.

Everything is wet, road getting back to the beach is the worst I’ve seen it.
Still snow in some areas. Pretty soft still.
Good trip though.

 

[Lightguy]

Anyone going up this weekend?

 

[Trail_pilot]

I know this is a dead thread but I want to bring it back. Who is heading to Argdbeg and when this year? I may be looking for someone to go explore the area with ( south trail).

PS. I have been out there a few times but looking to do some better mapping of the area.

 

[Farook Ismail]

As long as it's a weekday, wed thurs and fri I'm up for this.