Trail Overview
Lewis Mountain Road begins at the southern tip of Lake Ainslie and climbs southeast up Lewis Mountain toward Whycocomagh Mountain. The trail starts as a two-track, hard-packed dirt road with a small wash and a tight switchback at the base of the climb. The terrain becomes looser with scattered rock as you gain elevation. After the switchback, the trail transitions to a gradual two-track climb through mixed forest. The final 500 metres of the ascent are rougher, with loose rock and exposed bedrock. At the top, the trail opens into a hard-packed two-track running between active blueberry fields--stay on the designated trail through this section. The next 500 metres lead to a stop sign at the Trout Brook Road intersection. Lewis Mountain Road continues straight through the junction for another 2.3 km. This stretch is a smoother, hard-packed two-track primarily used to access nearby private properties. Several spur trails branch off this section, providing access toward Whycocomagh Mountain. The trail ends at a gate.
Difficulty
The trail includes a tight switchback, stretches of loose rock, and the potential for minor washouts. The final 500 metres of the climb are especially rocky and uneven, which may pose a challenge to stock vehicles
History
Originally, Lewis Mountain Road extended 11 km from Route 395 near South Lake Ainslie all the way over the mountain to Highway 105 near Little Narrows. The easternmost 4.8 km has since become overgrown and impassable due to the trail being blocked near the power substation.
