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6 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 10:18 PM
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Hello,
I will be in Strathcona at the end of July this summer. I have hiking/backpacking and some off-trail experience but the person I am traveling with does not. Any suggestions for a good 1 night overnight backpack or a couple of day hikes with a moderate strenuous level?
Thanks,
Carrie
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Qualicum Beach, BC
Canada
1309 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 11:41 PM
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Bedwell Lakes area, Marble Meadows, Flower Ridge, or the Albert Edward area would be good choices for you. They are all well marked routes, leading to alpine areas and are not too difficult. Google search BC Parks, or better yet Strathcona Wilderness Institute for more info.
Peter |
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salt spring island, bc
Canada
179 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 10:03 AM
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| With only one night, I would recommend a trip to Mt. Albert Edward (camping at either Circlet or Kwai lakes). If you're looking for something less crowded, Mt Myra (camping at Tennant Lake) might be a good alternative. |
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Southern Vancouver Island, BC
Canada
231 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 4:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by prother
Bedwell Lakes area, Marble Meadows, Flower Ridge, or the Albert Edward area would be good choices for you. They are all well marked routes, leading to alpine areas and are not too difficult. Google search BC Parks, or better yet Strathcona Wilderness Institute for more info.
Peter
Maybe not Marble Meadows for a 2 day trip. While this is a lovely area, getting to the trail head involves a boat ride across Buttle Lake and if you don't have a boat you have to arrange a boat ride. Perhaps you meant Phillips Ridge, also a well marked and easy trail. There are camping areas past Arnica Lake that have better views than you'll see from the lake.
Agree with you about Bedwell Lakes, Flower Ridge and Albert Edward. Well marked trails, good camping areas and great scenery.
Carrie, get your hands on a copy of the most recent edition of Hiking Trails 3 : Northern Vancouver Island, published by Vancouver Island Trails Society. Clear descriptions and good maps of Strathcona trails and routes. |
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Brentwood Bay, BC
216 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 8:50 PM
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If one of you is not experienced with hiking/backpacking and you only have 1 night a trip to Circlet Lake with day 2 being a trip up Mt. Albert Edward and out to the parking lot might be a bit much.
I would still head to that part of Strathcona but look at hiking into and camping at Kwai Lake; it's only 6km so a day trip to the canyon lookout and/or to Circlet Lake would be easy and you can take your time to enjoy Battleship and Croteau Lake on your way into Kwai.
But if you can arrange a second night to camp then I would go for the Circlet & Mt. AE trip (unless it's cloudy... if the ridge is in cloud stay down low).
*edited to spell the lakes correct
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Edited by - joker on 03/26/2012 9:29 PM |
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111 Posts |
Posted - 03/26/2012 : 10:04 PM
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| I'll second Bedwell Lakes. That is a nice easy trail and the area is beautiful! |
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It's not a city yet!!, BC
Canada
25 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2012 : 09:29 AM
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I recommend the Circlet lake. Since you are with an less experienced hiker, you have the campsite options of:
Lake Helen McKenzie: Around 2km from trailhead. Mininmal sidetrails.
Kwai Lake: Around 4km further. Lots of sidetrails.
Circlet Lake: Around 4km further. If they can make it here, the options are realy good.
One thing's for sure....The scenery here is astoundingly breathtaking... |
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Qualicum Beach, BC
Canada
1309 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2012 : 8:34 PM
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With this years snowpack, expect to be hiking on snow anywhere in the alpine, in Strathcona Park and maybe even tenting on snow as well, far into the summer.
Peter |
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vancouver island, b.c.
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2012 : 12:25 AM
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| Hello, let's not forget Tennant lake and Mt. Myra. This is an excellent one night trip that's not too strenuous for your less experienced friend. Even if you only get to Sandbag lake the views from there are great. If you make it to the summit of Mt.Myra you will get one of the best views to be had in the park! |
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It's not a city yet!!, BC
Canada
25 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2012 : 10:52 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by prother
With this years snowpack, expect to be hiking on snow anywhere in the alpine, in Strathcona Park and maybe even tenting on snow as well, far into the summer.
Peter
Yeah sorry. Didn't think of that. I've only been there twice. Once was snow free. the other was quite the opposite... |
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6 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2012 : 9:52 PM
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Hello,
THANK YOU Everyone......
I have been remiss at checking this since I posted the question and now just starting to look at the options we have. I have got the Hiking Trails 3 book and will look ahead at all of your suggestions.
As it turns out, we may now only have the option of 1 or 2 dayhikes now instead of a backpack. I need to research both options.
You guys have been great on the backpack options---how about day hikes for the same scenario of hikers--I am in shape and experienced and my friend less experienced and with only minimal to moderate conditioning.
Thanks again,
Carrie
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6 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2012 : 10:19 PM
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Hello,
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. As it gets closer, looks like our plans will be there now for only 2 days at the very end of July.
Got the Hiking Trails III book and am leaning towards Cream Lake via the Bedwell Lake TH. This would be for one night backpack only. Does anyone know the conditions thus far this year? With your snowmelt so far, how likely do you think it will be to have that route melted out by the end of July? It sounds like that route is fairly well marked. Is that true?
Do you think it is best to try to camp at Cream Lake itself? Suggestions for good sites? I understand you need a permit for camping---where does one obtain that?
THanks again for your help in this,
Carrie
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Campbell River, BC
Canada
761 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2012 : 06:05 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by feldychi
Hello, Does anyone know the conditions thus far this year? With your snowmelt so far, how likely do you think it will be to have that route melted out by the end of July? It sounds like that route is fairly well marked. Is that true?
Do you think it is best to try to camp at Cream Lake itself? Suggestions for good sites? I understand you need a permit for camping---where does one obtain that?
The only thing I know is that Cream Lake is not a designated camping site according to BC Parks; which means camping at Bedwell Lake and day hike to Cream Lake.
You pay at the trailhead by filling out the envelope and putting it into the metal post; make sure to have the correct change ($10 per person/night)
Since I've been hiking in Strathcona on a weekly basis, I've noticed that the snow pack isn't as heavy as last year but I'm sure there would be patches of snow around. |
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nanaimo, BC
Canada
84 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2012 : 06:57 AM
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I was at Cream Lake 2 years ago at the beginning of July. At that time you could still walk across the lake and there was about 3 meters of snow. I have the Backroads Mapbook loaded on my GPS and it actually has the Cream Lake trail on it, so there were no issues there. We were on snow from before Bedwell Lake on that trip, although at the end of July, I would think you wouldn't hit snow until Little Jim lake.
As to the payment of camping fees... you only need to pay for the nights that that you camp inside the Fee Collection Zone. Outside of the Zone is considered backcountry camping and is free. In the backcountry areas you can camp anywhere you like. Inside the zone there are bear caches, tent platforms, and outhouses...hence the fees. There is a payment box at the trailhead. |
Edited by - greyhound on 07/02/2012 07:40 AM |
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6 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2012 : 12:28 AM
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Hello,
Thanks for your replies. TIme is coming up for our trip.
Is the road to the Bedwell Lake TH doable in a Prius?
We don't have a GPS---how well is the route from Bedwell to Cream Lake marked?
Thanks,
Carrie
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10 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2012 : 08:35 AM
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Hello
ANybody know what the snow conditions are like lately around Circlet Lake and Kwai Lake? We`re planning a 3 day trip around the 9th of August....
Thanks, JTH |
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Strathcona Suggestions
