Description

Google Maps Name: Hinkley Glen Road
Local Usage: Hinkley Glen Road
Direction: Northwest to Southeast
Start Point: 46°50.824′N 60°46.004′W, at, but on the south side of, the bridge over the Red River in Red River
End Point: 46°49.825′N 60°43.700′W, at a rock quarry at the driveable end of the road
Length: 3.8 km (2.4 mi)
Classification: Local Road
Surface: Gravel
Condition: Fair to good in the fall of 2014, with a half dozen bad spots requiring a bit of care
Route Description: The road is an interesting and very pretty drive through a beautiful, narrow valley between Icy Mountain on the north and Andrews Mountain on the south; it follows the Red River and ends where the mountains close off the glen (the Red River descends there from the Cape Breton Highlands Plateau). At the 775 m (½ mi) mark, one arrives at a large open area, likely a gravel pit at one point, with fine views of Icy Mountain along the north side of the glen. At the 1.9 km (1⅙ mi) mark, the road crosses the Red River, which has heretofore been on the west (right) side of the road and often out of sight; the views of the river from the bridge are definitely worth a stop. From there to the driveable end of the road, the river usually remains in view; however, Icy Mountain from this point is often hidden behind trees which overarch the road, but, at the 2.9 km (1⅘ mi) mark (at GPS 46°50.037′N 60°44.336′W), keep a close eye out for an interesting rock formation on Icy Mountain, visible only briefly. The road continues to its driveable end at a turnaround at the base of an old rock quarry. An ATV trail continues past the turn-around, but is not suitable for a car—in any case, the lay of the highlands means it can’t continue far unless it goes up onto the plateau. The return trip offers good views of Andrews Mountain.
Vic’s Scenic Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Comments: The day I was there, I did not know about the Red River Falls, which are only 250 m (⅙ mi) further down this trail; I now rather wish I had explored a bit further on foot! This web page, which I found later, describes them thusly:

Turn at the Red River Bridge and drive as far as you can along Hinkley Glen Road to the black rock quarry at the end. […] From the quarry, hike just a little farther along the same (SW) side of Red River to the big pool. Cross in front of the pool to the NE side to see the falls. Good swimming hole, but cool water. Best to visit mid-afternoon when sun hits the pool.

Photo Catalogue

Click on any thumbnail to be taken to the photo essay page for that photo.

Date	GPS	Locality	Where	Caption
2014 October 8	46°50.792′N 60°45.557′W	Red River	585 m (⅜ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The slopes of Icy Mountain
2014 October 8	46°50.702′N 60°45.478′W	Red River	760 m (½ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The slopes of Icy Mountain
2014 October 8	46°50.701′N 60°45.471′W	Red River	760 m (½ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The slopes of Icy Mountain, part 2 of the panorama
2014 October 8	46°50.701′N 60°45.470′W	Red River	760 m (½ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The slopes of Icy Mountain, part 1 of the panorama
2014 October 8	46°50.701′N 60°45.467′W	Red River	760 m (½ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The slopes of Icy Mountain
2014 October 8	46°50.699′N 60°45.473′W	Red River	760 m (½ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The slopes of Icy Mountain, part 5 of the panorama
2014 October 8	46°50.699′N 60°45.472′W	Red River	760 m (½ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The slopes of Icy Mountain, part 3 of the panorama
2014 October 8	46°50.699′N 60°45.472′W	Red River	760 m (½ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The slopes of Icy Mountain, part 4 of the panorama
2014 October 8	46°50.591′N 60°45.185′W	Red River	1.3 km (⅘ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	A red tree on the Hinkley Glen Road
2014 October 8	46°50.584′N 60°45.186′W	Red River	1.3 km (⅘ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The Red River below Andrews Mountain
2014 October 8	46°50.330′N 60°44.932′W	Red River	1.9 km (1⅙ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	Looking upstream from the bridge over the Red River
2014 October 8	46°50.329′N 60°44.935′W	Red River	1.9 km (1⅙ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	Looking downstream from the bridge over the Red River
2014 October 8	46°50.037′N 60°44.336′W	Red River	2.9 km (1⅘ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	Close-up of the rock formation along the summit of Icy Mountain
2014 October 8	46°50.036′N 60°44.336′W	Red River	2.9 km (1⅘ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	Looking across the Red River at Icy Mountain
2014 October 8	46°50.031′N 60°44.340′W	Red River	2.9 km (1⅘ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The Red River
2014 October 8	46°50.030′N 60°44.339′W	Red River	2.9 km (1⅘ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The Hinkley Glen Road above the Red River
2014 October 8	46°50.018′N 60°44.227′W	Red River	3 km (1⅞ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The Hinkley Glen Road below the slopes of Andrews Mountain
2014 October 8	46°49.828′N 60°43.699′W	Red River	3.8 km (2⅜ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The upper slopes of Andrews Mountain at the end of the Hinkley Glen Road
2014 October 8	46°49.825′N 60°43.700′W	Red River	3.8 km (2⅜ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The rock quarry at the end of the Hinkley Glen Road
2014 October 8	46°49.832′N 60°43.692′W	Red River	3.8 km (2⅜ mi) from its junction with the Red River Road	The end of the Hinkley Glen Road and the ATV trail which begins there