Eastern Pines Backpacking Trail

The Eastern Pines Backpacking Trail is a backcountry loop from Grand Lake–Achray through Johnston and Stratton lakes, the Bucholtz boulder garden, and a return spur to High Falls. This listing represents the longer High Falls outing: about 19.3 km (12 mi) total walking distance, including the return along the spur. Ontario Parks also describes shorter loop choices of 6–15 km. A 2024 trip account measured a 16.7 km circuit that skipped the falls and said visiting High Falls adds 2.6 km; treating that added distance as a round trip gives 19.3 km. That convention is an informed estimate, not a surveyed figure, so carry the park's detailed trail map and follow the signs at the junctions. Allow a full day on foot or split the route over an overnight trip; the park rates the trail difficult.

From the signed Berm Lake–Eastern Pines lot, the path starts wide and fairly level, passes a posted map, then crosses a small pond on a footbridge. A few early junctions split toward the shorter loop options and the High Falls route. Check the signs before choosing a branch; the trail network is easy to confuse if you rely on a single line on a general-purpose map.

The path narrows and becomes rockier as it reaches Johnston Lake, with a short stretch beside the shore and glimpses through the trees. It then turns inland across portage paths and rises over rocky, root-laced ground toward Stratton Lake. Expect intermittent water views rather than a continuous overlook; the payoff is a changing walk through lake country, forest and small boggy openings.

Near Bucholtz Lake, large glacial boulders crowd the trail. This is the most awkward footing on the route: the tread threads between rocks and can be overgrown enough that you need to watch for markers. The boulders and mossy forest make this stretch feel different from the long wooded approaches, but it is a slow section rather than a sustained climb.

The signed spur reaches a broad, water-polished granite chute on the Barron River. It is the trail's signature view and a good place to frame the dark rock and white water from a safe bank. The actual falls lie roughly 100 m downstream, hidden from the slide; fast water and slick rock make this a poor place to swim or walk onto the chute.