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Just wondering if there is a gate anywhere along the road down into Achray Campground during the off season? Planning our trip in a few weeks and am hoping to hike part of the Easter Pines Trail but it starts from the campground. Just trying to figure out how far down the road we can drive into Achray?
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Achray is gated. Maybe 2km from the water. But you wouldn't hike Eastern Pines from Achray. You hike it from the Eastern Pines parking lot. First left after the Brigham Lake access parking lot.
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The gate across the road to Achray is about 1 km from Achray. The Eastern Pines trail starts (and ends) at the parking lot to the left as you enter Achray.
The first left that Martin mentions after the Brigham parking lot is the start of the High Falls cheater trail. It's about 3.5 km to where it joins the Eastern Pines trail. If visiting High Falls is the objective, it's a good way to go. However, the trail crosses Forbes Creek, and it is possible (not sure about this) that the bridge may be removed in the off season.
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Thanks guys! We'll probably explore that entire area and do the High Falls hike one day and hike around Achray another (try a bit of the Jack Pine trail and Eastern Pines from there).
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The official starting point for Eastern Pines is at Achray. I'm sure they would allow you to park at the cheater trail parking lot and backpack at this time of year though. It actually shows the entire trail as closed on the resvation system, whereas Highland and WUT are open and still reservable.