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Finally, just after Christmas, we got some snow in Ottawa. We had been waiting long enough, and decided that we were going to get out and visit some new places over the holiday! Next on our list? The Black Mountains Park in Ripon, Quebec. Since my French is phenomenal, I can tell you it’s also called the Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon.

Whichever way you choose to pronounce it, it’s a great time! There are seven trails in the park, which can be used for hiking, snowshoeing, biking, and cross country skiing. And there’s a great little hill for tubing (not to mention tube rentals are only three dollars). Lastly, there’s a little cabin next to the tubing hill for rent- for only $80 a night! While the proximity to the Welcome Centre and parking was a bit close for comfort, it’s still a great option if you wanted to spend more time in the area. When we went, it was rented, so I couldn’t poke my head inside to check it out for you guys. You’ll have to let me know!

The trails are open year round, which is awesome. We decided we were going to hike Trail #7, because it has a lookout and a tower. And at just under 3.5 Km. with a bit of elevation gain, we figured it would be challenge enough for the day. We weren’t wrong, and it was amazing!

Getting There

Black Mountains Park is in Ripon, Quebec, which is about an hour from Ottawa. It was a nice enough drive once we got out of the city, and when we had arrived (approaching Parking Lot #1), there was a big sign by the side of the road announcing our arrival.

You can use these coordinates to get there: 45.807809, -75.161892.

Wanting to start our hike from Parking Lot #2, we continued driving past the first lot. Soon, we saw another big sign for the park, as well as signs on the left hand side of the road pointing out that Parking Lot #2 was at the end of the road on our left. So we turned left- and couldn’t make it up the hill in our junky SUV! They do plow the roads at the Park, but we were pretty early and there was still fresh snow fall on the road that hadn’t been removed yet.

We gave it a few good attempts, and then decided to go just across the road to the Welcome Centre to make a new plan. This was a good idea anyway, because we had to pay the trail access fee there. It was $11.50 for all three of us.

The Welcome Centre had a lovely fire lit, and warm washrooms. Just behind it was the tubing hill.

We chatted with the staff for a while, and they let us know it was only a five minute walk up the road to Parking Lot #2. We decided to tire the baby out by letting her climb up the hill (Ch. du Mont Grand-Pic).

The Trailhead

Walking up the road, we noticed a sign for Trail 7 on our left hand side. So we figured we’d start there. At the parking lot, there was a communal cabin with a wood stove that could be used to warm up. There was also an outhouse, and a posted map.

Behind the sign for Trail 7, two different trails split off- we took the one on the right. It ran parallel to Ch. Du Mont Grand-Pic (which isn’t plowed for the winter beyond Parking Lot #2) for a bit.

We began to go uphill immediately. The trail was super wide. After just 100 metres, the trail veered left away from the road. Just past that, we saw the first trail marker that confirmed we were on Trail 7.

The Trail- Uphill

We continued going up. The trail hadn’t been walked by anyone before us, which meant the untouched snow was absolutely stunning- but also that it was harder to get through it. By the time we had hiked 0.4 Km. (and me with the baby on my back), I had to ditch my gloves and jacket because I was getting too warm.

It’s good winter safety to try and not sweat too much- if something were to happen where you have to stop moving (like an injury), then you’ll get a lot colder if you’re covered in sweat. Just so you know!

We were spotting little blue man trail markers as we hiked along, but very few #7 markers. The trail stayed fairly wide as we hiked along, making it really easy to pick out even though the snow was undisturbed.

Through a few curves, and over a different trail, the markers kept us on the right path.

The Lookout

The trail continued to head up, and at the 0.95 Km. mark, we spotted an outhouse through the trees on our left hand side. There were two concrete barriers directly ahead of us, blocking off Parking Lot #4. We headed towards the outhouse and then turned left again, to get to the lookout. There was a handy sign pointing us in that direction.

Unfortunately for us, there was so much fog on the day we went, we couldn’t actually see anything from the lookout! There was a huge platform built with picnic tables, and even a small covered section. So I’m PRETTY sure it was a nice lookout, but not 100% sure.

It had taken us about 30 minutes to get up to the lookout.

A Flatter Section of Trail

Heading back the way we had come, we passed the outhouse again, and carried on straight past the trail we had come from. There was a Trail #7 sign right in front of us.

Through this next section, the trail thinned out, and flattened out a bit too. It felt like a nice reprieve from the uphill section. There were a few little hills here and there, but nothing like the steady uphill climb we had just come off.

Then, at 1.5 Km., we began to head downhill. This first downhill section was a bit steep, and I was VERY happy that I hadn’t forgotten my hiking poles. Going downhill in snowshoes can be a bit tricky, and the weight distribution with a baby on your back doesn’t help.

As we continued downhill, the forest floor began to rise above us on our left hand side, and fall gently away on our right. Despite this, the trail still appeared wide enough to walk side by side.

After hiking 1.9 Km., we crossed over Trail #10, which branched off on our right hand side.

The Tower- Or Not

Then, we made a terrible mistake. We left the forest, and came out on Ch. Du Mont Grand-Pic. We were so busy looking for the next #7 Trail Marker, that we didn’t realize Parking Lot #3, and the tower, was slightly uphill on our left hand side. We missed it!

Foolishly, we turned to our right and traveled down the road for a few steps before seeing a sign on the opposite side of the road indicating that Trails 12, 8, 7, and 13 were to our left.

We re-entered the forest, and crossed over Trail #8 at the 2.1 Km. mark. We still hadn’t seen any Trail #7 markers on this stretch of trail- only markers for #12. But, a few hundred metres later we spotted a #7 with a little arrow pointing us to the right. We began to head downhill again, and crossed over Trail #8 a second time, and then a third time.

Steep Downhill

This section of downhill was tricky. There were spots that were a bit steep, and with all new snow, it wasn’t always easy to tell what was underfoot. The temperature was also fairly warm, which was making the snow sticky. That meant that with some steps, big chunks of snow would break free and our foot would go with it.

I sent my husband ahead to test out the footing on the steeper sections (this is our normal practice- whoever isn’t carrying the baby tests out the terrain first!). For the most part, I was able to pick my way down the hill very slowly and carefully, using my poles to help me along. In a handful of spots, I simply sat down and scooted along on my bum to traverse the steep sections. I’d rather have a wet bum than a sad baby any day!

By the time we had hiked 3 Km., the downhill section was over! Huzzah! We crossed over a short footbridge on our right hand side, entering a stand of pine. Here, Trail #14 split off to our right, while we continued to follow #7 off to our left.

We crossed over Trail #6, although it was thin and we only noticed it because of a marker in the trees.

Almost Back

Then, the trail sort of popped us out onto Trail #3, where we saw a sign indicating Parking Lot #2 was to our left. Since that was where we needed to go, we headed to our left, stepping gingerly along the edge of the ski track.

After hiking 3.4 Km., we spotted the parking lot through the trees on our right hand side. There were no signs, but there was a path through the trees on our right hand side, and we used it to get back to the parking lot, coming out just behind the outhouse on another cross country ski trail.

Trail Thoughts

By the time we arrived back at the trailhead, we had been hiking for just over two hours. We had hiked almost exactly 3.4 Km., which is what the trail map had indicated. Things take a lot longer in fresh snow!

As we were leaving, we saw a rowdy group headed out without snowshoes, and knew that they were going to have a really hard time slogging through the snow. Live and learn I suppose!

Trail #7 was not an easy hike, although it would be easier in the summer. The eastern and southern sides of the loop were definitely the least difficult, although it was still steep on the way up! If I were to do this hike again in the winter, I would either hike it counter-clockwise, so that I could head UP the steepest section (the western side), or just hike it as an out and back on the eastern side.

I would not recommend descending the western section of this trail alone if you’re carrying a baby, and I DEFINITELY wouldn’t recommend doing it without hiking poles. Unless you want to spend a lot of time on your bum- for safety.

That being said, we really did enjoy the challenge of these trails. Since everybody was busy tubing, we had them all to ourselves, which was great. I adore fresh snow and the feeling of tranquility it provides.

I’m still haunted by the fact that we didn’t get to check out the tower, so we’ll definitely have to head back.

I hope this trip report has enough info to get you there too. Let me know in the comments, or share and tag a friend to start planning your next adventure!

Map and Elevation Gain

Whenever I’m hiking somewhere new, I tend to wonder about who was on, and who took care of that land before me. I’ve enjoyed using this website as a place to start learning more about the indigenous people whose land I’m on: Native-land.ca.

Gear We Brought