LOCAL HIKES - CANEY LAKE (MINDEN)

**This blog is part of a new (work in progress) series of posts intended to provide BCOS members (and anyone else who is interested) access to detailed information on local hiking and paddling trails.

Beautiful Caney Lakes just north of Minden are a part of the Kisatchie National Forest. The Caney Lakes Recreation Complex amenities include hiking/biking trails, fishing/boating, and camping (Beaver Dam Campground).

1. Lost Man Trail (sometimes also referred to as the Lost Woman Trail)

Trail type: HIKING - LOOP

Trail length: Approx 3 miles

Elevation Gain: 150-200 ft

Description: Easy to Moderate Difficulty; several hills to ascend; typically does not require water crossing; trail is well maintained; BEAUTIFUL views of hardwood forests and lake

Parking/other instructions: You will be in the Caney Lake Recreational Area - be sure to check-in at the iron ranger station when first entering the park ($5 per vehicle). After checking in/paying turn LEFT at the stop sign and follow the signs toward the BEAVER DAM CAMPGROUND. After about a mile you'll see a sign for UPPER CANEY BOAT LAUNCH (park there). Please don't fill up the BOAT parking area (long parking spaces). If possible park in the smaller car parking or put 3 vehicles in each boat spot.

Cost: $5 per vehicle (pay at the iron ranger station when first entering the park)

Restrooms/Facilities: there are restrooms at the trailhead (typically very clean/nice); there are picnic tables at this location as well

Google Map for Trailhead Location: https://goo.gl/maps/retrBf1HrA3KNYoD9

All Trails App Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/morning-hike-a8166da--130?u=I

TrailForks App Link: (work in progress)

Gaia App Link:https://www.gaiagps.com/public/mjzJCA7yIhVkIP0o4xmOd7w5

GPX File (can be downloaded into any GPS app): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kwcWoHGhw4AcorJ82AENNhdIalZPFgT_/view?usp=sharing

Other Resources (pdf/paper maps, etc):

2. Sugar Cane Trail + Kona (Beach Bottom) Loop

Trail type: HIKING - LOOP

Trail length: Approx 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 200-250 ft

Description: Moderate Difficulty; several big hills to ascend; typically does not require water crossing; trail is well maintained; BEAUTIFUL views of hardwood forests and lake

Parking/other instructions: You will be in the Caney Lake Recreational Area - be sure to check-in at the iron ranger station when first entering the park ($5 per vehicle). After checking in/paying turn LEFT at the stop sign and follow the signs toward the BEAVER DAM CAMPGROUND. After about a mile you'll see a sign for UPPER CANEY BOAT LAUNCH (park there). Please don't fill up the BOAT parking area (long parking spaces). If possible park in the smaller car parking or put 3 vehicles in each boat spot.

Cost: $5 per vehicle (pay at the iron ranger station when first entering the park)

Restrooms/Facilities: there are restrooms at the trailhead (typically very clean/nice); there are picnic tables at this location as well

Google Map for Trailhead Location: https://goo.gl/maps/retrBf1HrA3KNYoD9

All Trails App Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/morning-hike-30192e9--127?p=-1

TrailForks App Link: https://www.trailforks.com/ridelog/view/35322753/

Gaia App Link:https://www.gaiagps.com/public/P2SECpUDsTKgX0uFk6MHumed

GPX File (can be downloaded into any GPS app): https://drive.google.com/file/d/18rgF3YKZQgY3wzD2gKzDiaoPOy0I34gm/view?usp=sharing

Other Resources (pdf/paper maps, etc):

3. Clockwork Orange Trail

Trail type:  HIKING - LOOP

Trail length:  Approx 5 miles

Elevation Gain:  260 ft

Description:  This trail connects to the Lost Man Trail. Moderate Difficulty; several hills to ascend; typically does not require water crossing; trail is not as well marked or maintained as the other Caney trails (in fact you won't find this trail on the official park signs) but volunteers do keep it navigable for cycling and hiking; BEAUTIFUL views of hardwood forests and lake (in fact I think it's the prettiest trail in the park).

Parking/other instructions:  You will be in the Caney Lake Recreational Area - be sure to check-in at the iron ranger station when first entering the park ($5 per vehicle). After checking in/paying turn LEFT at the stop sign and follow the signs toward the BEAVER DAM CAMPGROUND. After about a mile you'll see a sign for UPPER CANEY BOAT LAUNCH (park there). Please don't fill up the BOAT parking area (long parking spaces). If possible park in the smaller car parking or put 3 vehicles in each boat spot.

Cost:  $5 per vehicle (pay at the iron ranger station when first entering the park)

Restrooms/Facilities:  there are restrooms at the trailhead (typically very clean/nice); there are picnic tables at this location as well

Google Map for Trailhead Location: https://goo.gl/maps/retrBf1HrA3KNYoD9

All Trails App Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/morning-hike-b22ed7e-100?p=-1&sh=mqsqfc

Other Resources (pdf/paper maps, etc):