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.
At Parking Lot where you begin your hike
Once at the ski hill, park at the last (3rd) 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!
Hiking above the trees at Crater Lake, Smithers, BC
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!
A Piano on the hike to Crater Lake
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)
Amazing wildflowers on the way to Crater Lake
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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