Cathedral Park - Part 2
So far we’ve just handled the easy trails in the Cathedral Parks core area. The more challenging Rim Trail uses the Ladyslipper Trail and then heads up the scree to the rim that circles the lakes before dropping down at the western end to link up with the Diamond Trail and back to the lodge.
One can also cut the circuit short by dropping steeply down the Glacier Trail past Glacier Lake, or taking the trail down to Quiniscoe Lake. We took the Glacier Trail down and the ladies were very glad to get back to the cabin, some good wine and a great dinner.
Much of this terrain is over broken ground and boulders, particularly, it seemed, on the north-western end near Red Mountain and the Quiniscoe Trails. Good boots and hiking poles are highly recommended, especially for less experience hikers.
Turning left at the top of the Ladyslipper Trail takes one to Smokey The Bear, Giant Cleft, Grimface Mountain and Macabre Mountain, all good spots for mountain or rock climbing.
The Lakeview Mountain Trail is 12 km with a 600 metre elevation change to the top of Lakeview Mountain at 2628 metres. Past this point the hiking is more difficult and unmarked, but it is possible to hike past Boxcar Mountain and Haystack Mountain to the Haystack Lakes, where there is a wilderness walk in camp. How I long to do that one! I imagine the fishing would be fantastic.
Permits must be obtained in order to ride horses into the park, but it just might be the ticket in getting to spots like the Haystack Lakes. There is no charge, just written permission required(unless I‘m mistaken).
Check with the lodge for accommodation rates and fees and schedules for jeep rides up to the lodge. If you are planning on wilderness camping the fee for 2009 is $5.00 per day per person. You are also advised to take along a camp-stove as fire pits are not always available.
Serious backpackers might want to hike up from the valley bottom. The Ewart Creek trail is reached by crossing a bridge about 6 km up the Ashnola Forest Service road onto the Ewart Creek Road. There are a few private residences here, but carry on to the trail head about 3 km further along, where the Ewart Creek joins the Ashnola River. The trail to the lodge is 28 km and the elevation change is 1730 metres. The first part of this trail is used by those taking horses into the Snowy Mountain Protected area. While the trip could be completed to the lodge in a day, there is a wilderness campground at the Twin Buttes area.
The shortest route is up the Lakeview Trail at only 16 km and an elevation change of 1300 metres. The trailhead is 13 km up the Ashnola Forest Service Road and crosses the jeep road into the park.
Further up the Ashnola at km 38 on the Ashnola Forest Service road, is where the Wall Creek Trail to the park core can be found as a footbridge crosses the river near the camping area. I have not taken this route -- it is apparently over 40 km of scenic hiking, recommended time two days for a round trip.
Take your camera along as there is lots of wildlife to view, from ptarmigan to mountain goat, deer and bighorn sheep. Ptarmigan can be spotted particularly on Lakeview Mountain and the mountain sheep on the Rim Trail.
Hunting and discharge of guns in not permitted in the core area of the park, so check the hunting regulations closely if you are hunting the Ashnola area.
Happy hiking.
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