Canoe Routes of Eastern Nova Scotia Exploration

by Toren Hynes

This year, I intend to continue scouting out and GPS tracking some of the backcountry paddle routes in Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. Following a chilly visit to Three Mile Lake Cabin (when there was still snow on the ground!) in April, I scouted out three portages on the Abbiecombec Lake Route in June, namely:

Abbiecombec → Gossard Lake

Abbiecombec → Crows Hill Lake

Crows Hill→ Long Lake

The only portion of this route where I was unable to find a connection is between Long Lake and Abbiecombec Ocean village, despite searching the woods. Dense fog prevented an aerial survey using a drone. I did, however, find a nice small campsite (one tent) behind a small beach, near the north end of Abbiecombec Lake. 

Another area I would like to continue exploring is the Ship Harbour Long Lake and White Lake Wilderness Areas. Specifically, I would like to try completing the following route:

Eel Pond → Squints Lake → Otter Lake → Admiral Lake → Wildcat Pool → Wildcat Lake → Wildcat Run → Brooks Lakes → Maskell Ponds → Salmon River Lake → Little Eel Pond → Eel Pond

While I completed the southern part of this loop in 2024, I have not yet explored anything beyond Wildcat Lake. I am intrigued by this route as it could be useful for accessing the Promised Land cliff, which I have seen in videos by Benoit Lalonde. Once again, I will be GPS-tracking any previously un-tracked portages, as well as searching for any sign of campsites along the way. And, as always, I will be adding these routes to my book, “Canoe Route of Eastern Nova Scotia”, once completed. Other areas that I may scout, explore, and GPS track this year (as time and weather permit) include Head of Jeddore Loop, part of the Paces Loop, the Big Loop in Ship Harbour Wilderness Area, and the Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area.

Happy canoeing!