Cathedral Lakes Park

Cathedral Lakes Park - Part 1

Will add pictures when I get the printer/scanner working

Our first trip into the Cathedral Park was many years ago when our children were in elementary school. We thought we would walk up to the lodge and get a taste of the alpine scenery. We might have made it to the lodge if we started early enough, but time caused us to turn around before we reached the lodge or alpine scenery.

Lesson learned: if you plan on walking up, start very early in the day and if possible make it a back packing trip of a few days to really enjoy it. The alternative we took many years later with some friends: take the park transport to the lodge and spend a pleasant day or two hiking and generally enjoying the area. Main access is from the base camp about 24 km. up the Ashnola River Road,, different sources quote this trail between 15 km and 29 km. I think it is closer to 15 km.

If you are an avid fisherman, think about packing in a belly-boat. You will likely regret it if you don’t because the lake look so inviting. Also, do not forget your camera and make sure you either have tons of film, or have downloaded your digital before starting the trip.

The lodge and facilities are at Quiniscoe Lake and all trails branch out from here. A few hikes are short enough to enjoy before catching an evening ride back down to the valley floor or before retiring for the night at one of the lodge accommodations or one of the campgrounds. I highly recommend packing in a light backpacking fishing outfit to try one of the many lakes that are in relatively easy walking distance.

The Quiniscoe Lake Trail around the lake is about 2 km, so is easily completed in under an hour and passes a nice waterfall.

Lake of the Woods in a short 1 km walk, and has wilderness camping sites. The trail continues and does a loop, taking you by Pyramid Lake. Elevation change is a slight 30 metres and the trail has been improved with bridges and crowned walkways to stay drier. Allow about 30 minutes to either lake from the lodge or about an hour and a half for the circuit, which is just over 2 km.

The Glacier Lake Trial is roughly 3 km in length and reasonably steep in sections, with an elevation change of about 200 metres. The trail does also continue up onto the rim trail.

I would allow about 3 to 4 hours for a return trip hike to Ladyslipper Lake as it is approx 7 km. The trail winds through mostly spruce with some larch trees, and arriving at the lake you have some spectacular views. A few casts with a fly brought a nice trout rising out of the crystal clear water to strike.

The Diamond Trail, at only 10 km, can easily be hiked in the afternoon before supper. It circles Scout Mountain and the lake with a moderate elevation change of about 240 metres. I remember lots of beautiful flowers in our August trip as I tapered training for my first Ironman event.

The Scout Lake route is fairly short and easily accomplished in less than two hours. It is about 3 kilometres in length over easy terrain just bordering true alpine country. Again as in all the trails I loved the flowers and vegetation.

Goat Lake Trail at 10 km is the furthest lake that one should try for in a day hike. This trail branches off the Ladyslipper Lake Trail and follows the outlet creek from Goat Lake. Total elevation change is not too great, around 150 metres.

More on the Cathedrals and its trails next week.