This incredible hike into historic French Louie territory provides views of the forest, mountains, and the water. With plenty of well-trafficked trail, this hike into Cedar Lakes in the West Canada Lake Wilderness Area can be enjoyed as an out-and-back of any length.
Key takeaways
- Distance: 10.75 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
Hiking into Cedar Lakes
The historic hike into Cedar Lakes utilizes a portion of the French Louie Trail, which honors the famous "French Louie", guide and trapper. He spent much time in the Cedar Lakes area during his short lifetime. It also connects with the Northville-Placid Trail near Cedar Lakes Lean-to #1.
Starting at Sled Harbor, you'll follow the old road to the Pillsbury Mountain trailhead at 1.2 miles. From here, continue to the height of land at 2.6 miles. Shortly after, you'll come to an intersection. Turning left would keep you on the French Louie Trail, which is often taken when doing the entire French Louie Loop. Continuing straight, you will be hiking on the Cedar Lakes Trail to your destination. After a short drop in elevation, the trail meaders through relatively flat terrain until it reaches the blown-out Cedar Lakes Dam at 5.4 miles. You can continue a very short ways to meet up with the historic Northville-Placid Trail before either turning around and heading back to Sled Harbor, or continuing on as a backpacking trip along the NPT and French Louie Trails.
Camping
If you decide to extend your Cedar Lakes hike into a backpacking trip to include the Northville-Placid Trail and the French Louie Trail (a combination of the aforementioned trails is called the French Louie Loop), here are some popular backcountry camping sites to consider.
- Cedar Lakes Lean-to #3 is at the end of a 0.5-mile spur trail which leaves the Northville-Placid Trail. Look for it 4.5 miles north of the intersection with the French Louie Trail.
- Cedar Lakes Lean-to #2 is on the west shore of the Cedar Lakes, 1.0 mile south of the intersection with the Cedar Lakes Trail.
- Cedar Lakes Lean-to #1 is a designated primitive tent site. It is on the northern shore of the Cedar Lakes. Look for it 0.2 mile south (and west) of the intersection with the Cedar Lakes Trail.
Cedar Lakes in the winter
Cross country skiing and snowshoeing to this location is difficult in the winter, and not recommended. You will have to add 5.25 miles each way because of the seasonal road closure, as it becomes a snowmobile route. Only experts should try to winter camp here.
Experience more trails in Hamilton County
Does the hike into Cedar Lakes sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With hundreds of miles of trails, we can help find the right hike for you in the big outdoors.
How to get there
The trailhead is 9 miles northwest of Speculator. Take Route 30 north for 8.2 miles from Speculator, and make a left onto the dirt road, past Mason Lake. The dirt road is 3.2 miles to the junction at Perkins Clearing, which is marked by a DEC sign. Turn right to the end of Sled Harbor, 5.1 miles from Route 30, for parking. From here, a rough road exists that most decide not to drive anymore. It leads 1.2 miles north where the actual trailhead for Pillsbury Mountain is. Mileage below is for starting from Sled Harbor, and hiking an out-and-back to the intersection of the Northville-Placid Trail near the Cedar Lake Dam.
