Hiking Quarry Lake Fall/Brophys Run Loop In Nova Scotia
The Quarry Lake Fall/Brophys Run Loop is part of an interconnected series of trails to the east of Terence Bay Road in Terence Bay, Nova Scotia. Hikers will experience wetlands, granite rock, and wooded terrains on wider ATV trails and narrower hiking trails. Views of multiple lakes, windmills and distant hills are enjoyable at various points within the route.
Though the hike is not overly strenuous regarding elevation gain, the wetland portions of the trail present some challenges, giving this trail a “moderate” difficulty in our books.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 7.1 km (loop)
Suggested Duration: 2 hours
Signage:Â Little to non
Facilities: Roadside parking
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Key Features Of Quarry Lake Fall and Brophys Run Trail Loop
- Dog-friendly
- Backcountry trails
- Lookouts of Quarry Lake, Round Pond, and Terence Bay River
- Cross two rivers
Facilities And Services
- Roadside Parking
Before You Start Hiking Quarry Lake Fall and Brophys Run Trail Loop
Before you begin hiking Quarry Lake Fall and Brophys Run Trail Loop, there are a few things to help prepare you better.
First, you can begin the hike by either starting clockwise or counterclockwise. We suggest hiking clockwise as the second half of the loop (in our opinion) has much more enjoyable terrain and views (save the best for last)!
As for markers, there are little to none. The area is currently (as of March 2021) being surveyed, and there are a few posts throughout the trail indicating this. The orange trail markers (picture below for reference) could very well be for the surveying areas rather than markers for hikers.
We highly recommend either bringing or downloading a map as it is easy to stray off the main trail once you approach one of the many breaks off-trail points. We want to note that the orange markers do follow the AllTrails map for some periods of the hike and then branch off in a different direction (again, this is why we think the markers were put there by the people surveying, but we could be wrong)!
The trail itself is quite muddy and wet in some areas (especially the first half of the loop). It’s best to wear some form of water-resistant footwear and pack an extra pair of socks and shoes for after the hike.
There are also two rivers hikers will need to cross. The first river (pictured below for reference) has two ways to cross it. At the top, there are a few larger rocks to hop across, or you can hike further down the river, where it gets more shallow and cross there.
The second river is much smaller in width and has large rocks to help you cross. While this is a fascinating (and fun) part of the hike, it can make for some wet shoes!
Whenever you are out on the trails or going through bushy terrain, there is always the chance of ticks. Wearing long socks and covering exposed skin can help reduce your chances of getting a tick on you. We recommend bringing a tick removal tool kit just in case. Make sure always to check yourself and your pets after hiking.
Lastly, the first half of the trail is in the direct sun, while the second half offers some tree shelter towards the end. Sunscreen and insect repellant are a must for this trail!
Our Experience Hiking Quarry Lake Fall and Brophys Run Trail Loop
Our experience of the Quarry Lake Fall and Brophys Run Trail Loop came in the springtime. We parked along River Road and began the trail.
Within the first kilometre or so, we came to multiple crossroads in the trail. We were fortunate to have our All Trails map at hand, which helped us to choose the correct path forward.
There are no markings to point you in the correct direction for this specific loop. However, as we made our way through the trail, we came to assume that most of the cutoffs were “alternative routes” in a series of interconnected trails. That being said, we would spend a significant portion of the hike looking down at the map to ensure we were going in the right direction.
Another reason to be looking down was to avoid the overly boggy nature of the trail, especially at the beginning of ATV-style trails.
Of course, we knew we were heading to the wetlands during springtime. However, many spots throughout the trail would be too deep for easy trekking, even with our waterproof boots.
When the trail wasn’t waterlogged, the terrain was rather easy, featuring lengths of grassy ground and flat granite rock, characteristic of Nova Scotia. The lack of roots made traversing these parts of the trail more straightforward, helping us make up the time taken to maneuver through the puddles carefully.
The first lake we would approach was the Brophys Front Lake. It was too cold for a swim, so we admired its beauty and continued on the trail.
We would have to cross Brophys Run to continue the trek. This shallow run of water was above ankle-deep. Fortunately, some hikers before us had laid down rocks, making it easy to cross without getting our feet soaked.
The terrain between Brophys Front Lake and Quarry Lake was bushy but relatively dry. Thus far in the hike, there was no shade, as we hadn’t reached the wooded area. Bringing sunscreen was a great idea!
Before reaching Quarry Lake, we opted to veer off the loop and catch a glimpse from an elevated lookoff. From a large glacial boulder, we could see the many lakes and settlements in the Terence Bay area.
The trail continued from the lookoff and would eventually connect back to the main loop. Again, there are plenty of interconnected trails in the area. However, after a brief examination from the lookoff, we turned around to get back to the “main loop.”
As we approached Quarry Lake, we had to cross Brophys Run a second time. Again, there were rocks in place to make this easy.
The trail was more suitable for our style, from Quarry Lake back to the parking lot. It was narrower, more technically challenging (with rocks and roots), more shaded, and much dryer! This, to us, was the best stretch of the hike.
But this portion of the hike is relatively short-lived. Before long, we were back at the car with another close-to-home hike under our belts!
Checklists And Recommended Gear
The following is a recommended gear list for Quarry Lake Fall and Brophys Run Trail Loop.
- Water Bottle
- Hiking shoes – Women’s // Men’s
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Camera
- Cascade Hiking Poles (optional)
- Atlantick Tick Removal Tool Kit
