The Beaver Lake Trail takes hikers on a historical journey in Moose River Plains Wild Forest as the trail follows an old road to the shores of remote Beaver Lake.  This location was once the home to the old Wilcox Hotel.  The hotel is long gone, all that is left is the history that was once here.

As you hike you can imagine horse n buggies heading down to the hotel carrying guests to this rugged and remote area back in the early 1900s.  The trail now follows the old road and maybe if you listen hard enough, you might hear the hoofs of the horses from the past as you hike along the path.

To find the trailhead, you'll need to know where the Beaver Lake Trail starts.  From the 'T' of Moose River Plains Road, take Otter Brook Road 1.2 miles south to the bridge over South Branch Moose River.  There is a side road on the right soon after the bridge crossing.  Turn right on the road and you'll pass numerous campsites as you drive 0.2 miles down the road to a barricade at a bridge.  Park near the barricade, but don't block it.  The area near the South Branch Moose River is a popular camping area.  In the summer you may see folks swimming in the river.

Start of the Beaver Lake Trail is at this barricade

The trail starts by crossing the bridge over Otter Brook.  On your right, Otter Brook will shortly meet the South Branch Moose River.  The trail travels parallel to the South Branch Moose River briefly before turning inland into a dark forest of large trees.  At 1.2 miles you'll pass by an enormous white pine.  You will pass a few other large white pines and if you look closely in the forest your walking through, you should see other beautiful huge white pines.  At 1.9 miles you'll pass a cleared area, which was the site of an old sawmill.

From there the trail heads downhill toward the lake, reaching a clearing where an old hotel once stood a long time ago, then reaching the shores of Beaver Lake at 2.1 miles.  There are a couple of scenic campsites along the lake shore.  As you stand and gaze at the lake, your mind may play tricks on you, seeing visitors of the old hotel in a row boat out on the lake from the early 1900s. 

To return to the parking area, simply retrace your steps.  This is an easy 4.2 mile out and back hike.  The toughest part of this hike is reaching the trailhead.  Expect to spend at least an hour driving on the roads in the plains from the western entrance to reach the Beaver Lake Trail.

Pictures from the Beaver Lake Trail

Sign on Otter Brook Road	Gate for culvert over Otter Brook and start of Beaver Lake Trail	Otter Brook	Beaver Lake Trail	Huge white pine along trail
Huge white pine	Beaver Lake Trail	Site of old sawmill	Loon warning	Beaver Lake Trail
Beaver Lake	Beaver Lake	Fall colors on the Beaver Lake Trail	South Branch of the Moose River just off the Beaver Lake Trail	Otter Brook

 

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