Cailloux Trail

Approach

From Ste-Anne-des-Monts take route 299 for 40km until you reach route 160 (near route 16). Take 160 east for 7-8km until you reach the Mont Richardson parking lot. One can stop at the park Information Center at the heart of the park for directions if you get a little lost.

Route Description

The trail is well marked and is a steady climb... even steeepin places, over loose rock and ganrled tree roots. The first section is relatively steep and remains that way until the Cailloux Trail intersects with the Mt. Joseph Fortin trail. From then on the trail climbs steadily with a few steep and even exposed sections until you reach the summit.
The Cailloux Trail is 14.1km in length and rises approximately 700m up to the summit of Mont Richardson. You will cross 4 vegetation zones along the way, from deciduous to mixed forests, to coniferous and then up into the sub alpine zone.
It would take a lot of work to get lost, though a compass would be very useful to remain on the safe side of things.

Essential Gear

It is important to dress for whatever season you will be visitng the Chic Chos in. In summer rain gear and cold weather gear are still a necessity as the temps still drop below freezing in the summer months. A sturdy pair of hiking boots is also necesary as there is plenty of patches of scree along the trail and the summit plateau.
In the winter come prepared for serious weather conditions. It is very cold through the winter as temps are known to drop down to -35 degrees celsius or colder with windchills in the -50's. The snow also falls by the meter so the only real way to access the interior of the park is one snow shoes or cross country skis.

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.