Details
Length: 43km (26mi) loop around Portland Creek’s Southwest Feeder Gulch, along the way taking in the view of Portland Creek Inner Pond, Outer Pond and the Gulf of St. Lawrence from Indian Lookout.
Maximum Elevation: 670m (2,198ft)
Trailhead Elevation/Location: 140m (460ft) at N50.09219 W57.56866
Time: 3 days / 2 nights in tent
Trail Type: Mostly barren (i.e., both dry rock and damp vegetation) with some minor bushwhacking. Cut trail from trailhead to scrubline on Flat Hills, through a few short sections of mountaintop scrub, and down a hillside near the end of the route on the north side of Southwest Feeder Gulch.
Difficulty: Challenging*
Condition: The cut sections of this trail route have not received maintenance for a few years. However, as the majority of these sections are through slow-growing scrub, access should not be impeded. Nevertheless, there are a few short sections of forest at the beginning of the trail at the base of the Flat Hills and in a hillside valley near the end of the trail on the north side of Southwest Feeder Gulch that may contain windfalls that need to be bypassed. Hopefully these sections will receive maintenance during the next hiking season.
Experience: This is primarily an unmarked wilderness route across barren mountaintop terrain, with a cut access trail at each end and a few short sections of trail in between. Experience with backcountry navigation and wilderness camping is a must, and use of a gps (ideally with trail route track) is highly recommended.
Highlights: Spectacular views of the Flat Hills, Southwest Feeder South Branch, Southwest Feeder Falls, Southwest Feeder Gulch, 1,000ft Partridge Pond Falls, and Portland Creek Inner and Outer Ponds from Indian Lookout. Also possible sightings of moose, caribou and black bear.
Cell Service: Only cell service on the western edge of the mountains and out through the gulches with direct sight line to cell tower.
Water Sources: All substantial streams and lakes contain potable water. Small slow-moving brooks and bog ponds should be avoided if possible.
Camping: The entire route spans backcountry wilderness and contains no designated campsites. However hikers may set up camp wherever they like, as long as they abide by dry weather fire restrictions and leave no trace. Campsites identified on the topo and gps maps are potential sites only.
Hunting Season: As the trail route crosses big game hunting areas, including those allocated to hunting outfitters, caution is recommended beginning in late August (for bow) and early September (for rifle). (Exact starting dates vary from year to year.) Hikers should wear a bright color and keep a safe distance from hunters and big game.
Dog Rating: Challenging
* Easy > Moderate > Challenging > Difficult
Directions
To reach the Indian Lookout Trail trailhead, turn east off Route 430 (the Viking Trail) approximately 2kms south of Arches Provincial Park. Travel 7km (4mi) on a gravel logging road until you reach a series of cottages. Stay straight at the intersection and if applicable, park near the top of the hill before the road descends and passes between two ponds. The road from here is mostly impassable, except on foot, bike, and ATV, and the distance to the trailhead is only 1km. The trailhead is marked by signposts and a rock cairn. As of October 2022, the new sign was not yet installed. (See gpx track below.)
Note: Depending on the vehicle, driver experience, patience, etc, it may be necessary to park at a former oil drilling site at the 5km (3mi) mark, since after this point the road is generally much rougher.