View of Madge Lake on a hazy day, with green reeds in the foreground and forested shoreline.

Madge Moments Part 2: Trails Worth the Bug Spray

ELLA-VATED TRAILS

Tracing prairie trails through memory, discovery, and home.

By Ella Gidluck, SaskTrails Storyteller

Madge Moments Part 2: Trails Worth the Bug Spray

In Part 1 of this Madge Moments series, we met April and Jordan from Duck Mountain Lodge and explored why this place has such a strong pull for locals and travellers alike. But let’s be honest, the trails are what keep people coming back season after season. Whether you’re chasing butterflies, biking with your family, or just trying to dodge mosquitos and your emails, the forest paths around Madge Lake have something for everyone.

Fen Trail

The Fen Trail is a little out of the way, tucked near the ski hill on the edge of the park. It’s a bit of a drive to get there, but I wasn’t complaining. Call me Miss Daisy. I was in full passenger princess mode while my mom chauffeured me down winding roads with no cell service and vibes only.

By the time we reached the trailhead, the signal had vanished entirely, which made the journey feel like a portal into a different world. No texts, no emails, no directions. Just moss, trees, and the distant sound of birds plotting.

This trail is gentle, with a stunning raised boardwalk through the wetland. It’s cool and quiet, with ferns and filtered light that make it feel like you’ve stepped into a moss-covered secret.

Wooden boardwalk winding through mossy forest on the Fen Trail.

Ferns, fairylike lighting, and the boardwalk of dreams.

My mom, MVP of the day, carried the bag with all the essentials. Water, bug spray, sunscreen, bear spray, snacks, sweaters, and for reasons I will never question, a sudoku book. Because nothing says “prepared hiker” like the option to sit on a bench mid-trail and do a logic puzzle in the shade.

Ella-vated Trail Rating: 5/5 moss patches. Magical with minimal effort.

Madge TCT

This segment of the Trans Canada Trail starts near the tennis courts at Ministik Beach and winds its way into the Pickerel Point Campground. The beginning is bright and open, with trees that make just enough shade to keep things cool. As the trail continues, it passes cabins and starts to feel more enclosed, with thicker forest and a narrower path that pulls you deeper into the trees.

Ella walks down a gravel trail at the edge of Ministik Beach, with tennis courts visible in the background and tall trees lining the path.

Starting the TCT loop like a local, tennis courts to trees in under five minutes.

I didn’t see many people, just the occasional squirrel and birdsong. If you’re looking for a trail that offers a bit more distance without feeling overwhelming, this one’s a good pick.

If you’re into geocaching, this stretch is even more fun. One of the STA board members recently replaced a hidden container near the bridge along this trail (GC4F0Y7 for the real ones). Nature walk meets treasure hunt? Sign me up.

Trans Canada Trail signpost with arrows pointing left and right through the woods.

Choose your own forest adventure. Left or right, it’s all trees.

Ella-vated Trail Rating: 4/5 quiet forest vibes. Best enjoyed without a destination.

Damselfly Trail

I cannot confirm whether I saw an actual damselfly on the Damselfly Trail. What I can confirm is that a mysterious bug landed on a stick I was holding. Did I freak out before we could identify it? Yes, and my mom caught it on camera.

Trailhead sign for the Damselfly Nature Trail with park map and info about biodiversity.

Welcome to the Damselfly Trail: bugs, beauty, and bear warnings included.

This trail is a nice middle ground: not too long, not too short, with enough changes in scenery to keep it interesting. It’s the kind of hike where you start pointing things out to no one in particular, just to keep the conversation going.

Ella-vated Trail Rating: 3.5/5 mysterious bugs. Great scenery, minor emotional damage.

Batka Lake Lookout

Batka Lake Lookout is not a fancy lookout. It’s a dirt pull-off with a couple of picnic tables, a woodpile, and a view of the lake if you walk around a bit and stand in the right spot. There’s no sign announcing you’ve arrived, just a “No Motor Vehicles” gate and enough shade to make you stay longer than you planned.

I wandered around while my mom scouted ahead and casually carried every possible hiking essential on her back like it was no big deal. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t feel like much, until you realize how peaceful it is. No crowds, little to no cell service, just trees, birds, and the occasional frog judging your footwear.

Picnic table and shelter at Batka Lake Lookout with lake in the background and a quiet dirt path in front.

Not a fancy lookout, just a picnic table and peace.

If you want to keep going, the trail to Moose Lake starts nearby, and there’s a geocache tucked somewhere along it (GC9X4QX) if you’re the type who enjoys finding things hidden in the woods by strangers on the internet.

Ella-vated Trail Rating: 4/5 picnic tables. Not much going on, in the best way.

Trail Sampler: Quick Picks You Might Like

There are a few more trails that deserve a mention, even if we didn’t do a deep dive this time:

  • Green Lake Trail – An easy loop through the trees. In the winter, the warm-up shelter is a cozy place to stop while snowmobiling. It smells like woodsmoke and good memories.
Trailhead sign for Green Lake Trail showing map, distance, and trail uses.

Green Lake Trail, where snowmobilers and hikers alike find their forest fix.

  • Pelly Point Nature Trail – My family loves to bike this one. It’s gentle, open, and is a good opportunity to get the heart rate up (depending how seriously you take it).
Ella walks along a narrow wooded path surrounded by thick green trees on both sides, heading deeper into the Pelly Point Trail.

Green tunnel vibes: Pelly Point Trail bringing the forest immersion.

  • Fire Tower Trail – A short, easy path that loops near the back of the golf course. No towers to climb, just a good walk and a cool name.
Trailhead sign for Fire Tower Trail showing route options and etiquette tips.

No fire tower to climb, but still worth the loop.

  • Tamarack Ski Shelter – You can reach it with a short walk off the ski hill road. If you’re into geocaching, there’s a container hidden nearby (GC4D03P). Not a full hike, but still a little adventure.

And for the truly committed, there’s even a cache hidden on an island in the middle of Madge Lake (GC2CHKR). Bring a canoe, or a very brave friend.

Bonus Ella-vation Tip: Green Lake in winter hits different. Bring mitts and a thermos.

Coming Up Next…

In the next Madge Moments blog, we’re hitting the road, literally. I’ll be sharing highlights from the scenic route to Madge from Regina, with some trail stops and prairie towns you won’t want to skip along the way.

Until then, grab your bug spray, charge your phone, and let me know which Madge trail is your favourite. And hey, if you spot a damselfly, send me a pic. I need closure.

 

 

This article is part of the SaskTrails Storyteller Series. Thank you to the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association and Trans Canada Trail for supporting this initiative.

Ella Gidluck is the Saskatchewan Trails Association’s 2025 Summer Storyteller. She’s a university student with a love for quiet places, trail snacks, and telling the stories behind the paths we walk.

Blue and white "Welcome to Duck Mountain Provincial Park" sign with a stone pillar base, surrounded by green grass and yellow autumn trees.

Madge Moments: My Trail Start at Duck Mountain

ELLA-VATED TRAILS

Tracing prairie trails through memory, discovery, and home.

By Ella Gidluck, SaskTrails Storyteller

 

Duck Mountain isn’t new to me.

I’ve spent summers at Madge Lake for as long as I can remember. It’s where my family has a cabin, where we roast marshmallows, take the dogs for long walks, and jump into the lake even when the water feels ridiculously cold. I even worked at Friends of Madge Lake for a summer when I was 16, at the Treats & Treasures store by Ministick Beach. I know this place and its community. It’s part of who I am.

But this summer, I came back with a different purpose, and suddenly, everything looked a little different.

Instead of just visiting, I was here to see. To listen. To learn. I started my trip with a stop at Duck Mountain Lodge: a cozy, red-trimmed building tucked into the trees, with a bright blue sign that makes it impossible to miss. It ended up being one of the best decisions I could have made.

Front of Duck Mountain Lodge featuring large blue and brown wooden sign under a bright blue sky.

The iconic turquoise sign that welcomes visitors to Duck Mountain Lodge.

Duck Mountain Lodge, the perfect starting point for my trail storytelling trip.

A Lodge with Heart

The lodge sits right in the woods, tucked away but easy to find if you know where to look. I met April, one of the co-owners, who reopened the space with her partner Jordan in May 2023. From the moment we started talking, I could feel how much she loves this place, not just the lodge, but the park, the trails, and the people who show up year after year.

“Life is so hectic,” she said. “And when you’re out here, it’s just, *she takes a deep breath*… You can breathe.”

I knew exactly what she meant. Just stepping out of the car that morning felt like hitting reset.

April moved from Regina to Kamsack years ago, but Duck Mountain has always been her escape. She talked about frog hunting in creeks as a kid, the kind of childhood joy that sticks with you. Now, she’s building that kind of joy for other people through good food, warm beds, and real conversations.

We chatted in the new café space, where fresh-baked treats sat behind glass and a chalkboard menu hung above the espresso machine. It’s modern and welcoming, with plants tucked between pastries and signs that say things like “Good Vibes Only.” A soft launch now, but it’s clearly becoming something special.

Café counter at Duck Mountain Lodge with drink fridge, dessert case, and welcome signs under hanging lights.

Duck Mountain Lodge’s cozy café offers coffee, baking, and good vibes only.

The lodge café serves up smoothies, cinnamon buns, and good vibes.

Most of their visitors are from Manitoba, though more people from Saskatchewan are starting to catch on. She laughed about the number of folks who just stumble across the lodge while walking to the beach. This year feels like their first real summer. People are finally discovering them, and they are ready to welcome them with open arms.

April and I snapped a quick photo in front of the lodge before she darted back to the kitchen. It’s rare to meet someone who’s as passionate about people as she is about good food.

April, co-owner of Duck Mountain Lodge, sitting with Ella inside the lodge dining area with ketchup, salt and pepper on the table in front.

April and I after a great chat about trails, food, and finding peace in the woods.

Trail Wisdom

When I asked April about her favourite hikes, she lit up. Her go-to is a loop that starts from the Batka Lake parking lot and winds past Moose Lake, Jackrabbit Shelter, and the ski hill. It’s a solid workout with birdsong for background music and plenty of spots to stop, rest, and breathe.

“It’s like meditation,” she told me. “You just close your eyes and listen.”

That phrase stuck with me. Later in the week, I walked part of that route and thought about what she’d said. The trails I’ve known forever felt unfamiliar in the best way. Like I was being introduced to them for the first time, not by a map, but by someone who truly knows them.

One trail was lined with ferns – waist-high, bright green, and practically glowing in the sun. I’d never noticed them before, not like that. Maybe I just hadn’t slowed down long enough to look.

Dense green fern field surrounded by trees under midday light near Madge Lake.

A lush carpet of ferns just off the trail at Madge Lake.

More Than Just a Meal

Back at the lodge, April’s menu reflects her background as a certified health coach. She does it all: burgers, salads, vegan meals, gluten-free everything, even custom dishes for guests with dietary needs. She’s not just making food. She’s fuelling people, especially those who want to stay active while they’re here.

“I don’t penny-pinch,” she said. “I’m using the real good cheese. It’s not about making money. It’s about people leaving here saying, ‘This is the best plate I ever had.’ That means more to me.”

She also shared her own story of going gluten-free during her training and how it completely changed how she felt, even though she didn’t realize gluten had been affecting her in the first place. That kind of lived experience shows in the way she talks to guests. She’s not just handing out menus. She’s giving people options they didn’t know they needed.

I took my sister, Finlee, to the Lodge for lunch, we ordered pasta… and judging by her double thumbs-up, it was a hit. There’s something lovely about a place that feels this good and feeds you well.

Smiling young woman giving thumbs up behind a plate of cheesy spaghetti with a breadstick at Duck Mountain Lodge.

Finlee gives the spaghetti at Duck Mountain Lodge two thumbs up.

Finlee approved: hearty pasta and happy hikers welcome.

Coming Soon: Coffee and Cinnamon Buns

As if the lodge wasn’t already full of personality, April is now opening a specialty café with homemade donuts, smoothies, cinnamon buns, and milkshakes. I got a sneak peek of the milkshake cookbook. Yes, it includes a Fruity Pebbles one. Yes, I will be back.

She’s easing into it slowly, with more homemade items rolling out as she gains strength and rhythm. Her goal is to offer something good. Not just good enough. Good enough to remember.

Lasting Impressions

Before I left, I asked April how she’d finish this sentence:
“You haven’t truly experienced Duck Mountain until…”

“Until you’ve been here,” she said. “Like really been here. You can’t explain it. You have to feel it.”

I think she’s right.

On one of our last nights, I wandered down to the dock. The clouds were thick, but the sun still found its way through. The lake was still. It felt like the park was quietly saying, “You’re right where you need to be.”

Sun shining through clouds over a calm lake surrounded by trees and tall reeds.

Sun reflections over the water near the dock at Madge Lake.

End of day at Madge, where the trails wind down and the reflections start.

This first part of my Madge Lake journey reminded me that familiarity doesn’t mean you’ve seen it all. There’s always another story tucked between the trees, another voice to listen to, another trail waiting to surprise you.

Woman reading a brochure while sitting in a model boat at the Duck Mountain Provincial Park visitor center with educational displays behind her.

Getting to know the local trails at the Duck Mountain park office.

Next up, I take on the Fen Trail, visit Batka Lake Lookout, and learn what happens when you accidentally step off the boardwalk in the name of curiosity. Spoiler: it’s spongy.

 

This article is part of the SaskTrails Storyteller Series. Thank you to the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association and Trans Canada Trail for supporting this initiative.

Ella Gidluck is the Saskatchewan Trails Association’s 2025 Summer Storyteller. She’s a university student with a love for quiet places, trail snacks, and telling the stories behind the paths we walk.