Esker Trail is a 5.7-km loop trail in Birds Hill Provincial Park, 24 km northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The park protects areas representative of Aspen/Oak parkland. The trail starts at the riding stable and connects to the Chickadee and Bluestem trails at Griffiths Hill. It has a dirt and long-grass surface, with a high elevation of 863 feet, a low elevation of 814 feet, and total climbing of 56 feet. There is a sharp decline at Griffiths Hill.
Get in
[edit | edit source]From the main park entrance on Highway 59, take the north park drive to Nimowin Road. Turn left on Nimowin Road and take the first road to the left until reaching the large parking area. The trail starts behind the restaurant.
Walk
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In spring, summer and fall, permitted uses are horseback riding, horse-drawn carriage, hiking, and running. In winter, it is groomed for cross-country skiing. The ski trail is intermediate level.
While the trail surface is easy for walking, there are many areas that are often muddy or flooded, so waterproof hiking boots are a must. Insect repellent is also a good idea, particularly for the return portion of the trail.
From the parking area, walk past the front entrance of the 1 restaurant (863 ft). The 2 trailhead (863 ft) starts just beyond it. This area is riddled with lots of trails, many of which are predominantly used for cross-country skiing. There are two marked hiking trails that start here, the Esker Trail and the Lime Kiln Trail. Both follow the same path initially. While there are many trail intersections, the Esker Trail is easy to follow, with a distinctive yellow sign pointing you in the right direction at every junction.
After a short portion of grassy trail which may require dodging around some parked horse-drawn sleds, the trail joins a wide dirt horse trail. Watch where you step. After 600 meters, you reach a 3 trail branch (860 ft), where the trail branches left and becomes grassy again. After 800 meters, you reach the 4 Esker and Lime Kiln trail split (858 ft), where the Esker and Lime Kiln trails split, with the Esker Trail veering left. As with all junctions, this one is well marked.
After 2.5 km, you reach a clearing. There is an 5 outhouse and warming hut (854 ft) used by skiers in the winter. The trail continues to the right, but first, take the path past the warming hut to the 6 lookout tower (850 ft), reached after 2.6 km. Interpretive signs at the base of the tower and at the top explain the geology of the area and point out sights that may be visible from the top. It appears that the surrounding trees have grown up substantially since the tower was constructed, and much of the view is now obscured. Bird's Hill is the highest point within 30 km, rising 30 metres above the surrounding prairie.
Return to the outhouse and warming hut and take the trail to the left. The trail descends steeply and enters darker, denser forest where insects are more likely. The lowest part of the route is near 7 Griffiths Hill low point (814 ft). After 4.1 km from the start, you reach a section of trail near 8 parallel return trail (853 ft), where you find yourself proceeding parallel to the outbound trail. After 4.8 km, you reach a 9 five-way intersection (858 ft). Bear slightly right. You will pass an 10 equestrian arena (859 ft). After 5.1 km from the start, the trail rejoins the outbound route at the trail branch. Retrace your steps along the first part of the trail, reaching the parking lot after a total of 5.7 km.