HIKE TO CRATER LAKE – SMITHERS, BC

A very popular hike in the Smithers area is the hike up to Crater Lake. Take Pacific Road to Prairie Road for about 20 +/- kms. The road is mostly good gravel and wide with a few tight switchbacks – easy driving tho. The starting point of the hike is up at the ski hill.

Once at the ski hill, park at the last (3^rd) parking area which is at the green chairlift. Walk underneath the tow lines on the left up a very (VERY) rough road past a bunch of ‘interesting’ ‘cottages’ mainly used during ski season. Or … you can also go straight up and under the tow line and follow the path – it will eventually intersect with the other path. The beginning of the hike is quite steep … but do-able. After about ½ hour hiking you’ll be at the ‘meadow’ –   not nearly as steep, but still … you’re climbing up a mountain!

Almost at the summit you’ll come across a piano (!) on your right … about 100meters off the path … which was put there by Smithers Street Pianos … a helicopter lift up! Pretty neat photo op!

Further on you’ll cross a few small rivulets and have views to die for!

Once you reach the view of the lake, you can sit and relax and enjoy the view or have lunch/snacks or you can clamber down and around rocks to get to the lake itself … around 10 minutes more hiking.

The alpine flowers will be in bloom in the summer – we were there in the beginning of August and it was spectacular! (Bring bug spray … lots of buzzing/biting insects up there)

There is more hiking further on for the keen hiker, but we didn’t go any further.

It will take you about 1 ½ – 2 hours each way. It’s not super difficult, but not super easy either. There were LOTS of families with small children on the path … LOTS of dogs … and some ‘old’ people like me (but not many!).

 

Definitely a spectacular view and I highly recommend it if you’re even moderately fit. Just take your time!

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