Orchard Lake Trails
Orchard Lake Road climbs the hill from McLure on its way to Badger Lake. The road pass by three small lakes called the Struthers (Loon) Lakes. Not far past the largest of the lakes a road at 5.5 km turns south. This side road is the Coyote Lake Road and for most of the year it is suitable for most vehicles. This is also the trailhead; the road climbs up to Lower Coyote Lake. Beyond this lake the road winds up to the Upper Coyote Lake and over to the Huff Lake valley. The main route for the Orchard Lake Horseback and Hiker Trails though turns west on a grass track just before Coyote Lake and curves through the forest over to Chalforchie Lake, which is long, narrow, and full of ducks. Loop routes can be worked out past Orchard Lake and to the lower trails.
This area is easy hiking or biking and the routes are mostly double tracks. We hiked for 3.5 hours to do half of the trails. A map of the area is available, but two of the lakes are not correctly named. The trails are easy to follow and horseshoe/hiker signs can be seen at the major junctions, but print a copy of the map to take with you anyway We are hoping to return here on our snowshoes in the winter.