Thursday 15 January 2009

Hiking Trails - Wall Lake Trail

The distance to Wall Lake is a moderately easy 12 km with an elevation gain of 165 metres (512 feet). The trailhead is in Waterton National Park in Alberta, although Wall Lake itself is in the Akamina-Kashinena Provincial Park in B.C.

The trailhead is one kilometre past the sign for Cameron Lake where there is a parking area.

[1]

Following an old logging road the first kilometre is a steady climb then levels off.



[2 -Trail Sign Junction]



Just before the Wall Lake junction at the 2nd km mark where the trail turns off the road, there will be a sign for Forum Falls, Forum Lake and Akamina Ridge. A short diversion of 5 or so minutes for 200 metres will take you to Forum Falls.


[3- Forum Falls]




[4]



The trail to Wall Lake from the junction is another 3 km of gently rolling forest.








[5-Bear Grass]







The trail crosses Wall Lake Creek twice and narrows just before reaching the lake.



[6- Wall Lake Creek]




[7]



Care is necessary here as this is an avalanche hazard area.




Just before reaching the lake is a trail sign indicating a trail fork for hikers and horseback riders.

[8]




[9]




Wall Lake sits at the bottom of a huge wall of rock, along the top of which runs Akamina Ridge. Taking the trail around the lake to your right, there are several nice spots to have your lunch.



[10]















Photo Credits: [1][2][4][6][7][8][9]-Rick McCharles CC=flickr; [3][5][10]-Dave Kuehn CC=flickr.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

the photos annonce a taste of spring.
Good day to you Barbara
François

Charles Gramlich said...

Very Beautiful.

Unknown said...

It looks like a beautiful trail, your narration is crisp and clear and the images help walk the trail.

Barbara : You might want to consider adding some images of wildlife (birds, small animals) that's found along the places you describe. It will add more magic to them...Thomas

Eleanor said...

Oh, Barbara, I am coming, I am coming! To sit at that waterfall, to gaze at the last snow melting into that clear lake and to read what adventures Dupuis has under the lofty pines. I want to feel scared and comforted all at once!

Just been posting about Narnia. Do you like CS Lewis?

Rune Eide said...

Is it glacier, or just a remnant from the previous winter? Highly varied terrain - looks fun.

Barbara Martin said...

François, I'm looking forward to warmer temperatures which brings better walking weather.

Charles, it seems every place in the country whether mountains or fields provide yearnings to get away.

Barbara Martin said...

Thomas, thank you for the tips.

Eleanor, you could have two summers by visiting Canada during July. How lucky is that?

I will be certain to inform you when that book is published for you to find out what other adventures Dupuis gets himself into.

Narnia? I love CS Lewis stories, even the adult science fiction ones he wrote.

Barbara Martin said...

RuneE, the snow is from the previous winter.

I post about the trails I have been on and ones I would be able to navigate. During my research I found a trail that looked promising, the Crypt Lake Trail in Waterton, but when I learned there was a high ledge to navigate after passing through a tunnel...nope, not for me. Even with help from others.

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Barbara,
You make me want to put on my tramping boots, grab my poles and pack and head on over. Just lovely.
Are there camp sites there? I know the hut system we have here in New Zealand is fairly unique, and very suitable, to our little country, but there certainly looks like some lovely camping spots there. Cheers, Barbara, I love your photos and prose and seeing all this beautiful Nature. Have a lovely day!
Rangimarie,
Robb

Barbara Martin said...

Robb, there is a backcountry campsite. For future reference I have a list of weblinks under "Conservation and Nature" on my sidebar of Parks Canada (national parks) and different provincial parks in Canada.

For this post a link to BC Parks:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/akamina/
will provide you with further information about the area.

I forgot to put a link into the post.

Steve Malley said...

Every time I see or hear Kia Ora, my heart grows three sizes... :)

BernardL said...

Breathtaking falls.

Anonymous said...

What an intruiging place to visit, and yes, I would very much like to have my lunch at Wall Lake gazing at such beautiful scenery.

pattinase (abbott) said...

thanks for a breath of spring.

Anonymous said...

Wow looks really beautiful there - hope to make it some time. Great photos

bindu said...

Nice hike ... wish I lived up north, where the same hike is a different experience in different seasons. I liked the last picture a lot.

Barbara Martin said...

Steve, seeing as you are from New Zealand and these two nice words are now considered part of the New Zealand language, you should start using them. I like to be addresed "Be well" better than "hello".

Bernard, you must like waterfalls as much as I do.

Barbara Martin said...

Pam, by the end of your summer you will be fit and when July rolls around you can take a trip to Waterton to see the sights.

Patti, you too? The osteo-arthritis in my hands is particularly bad in the cold, damp weather. The photos provide temporary relief.

L. Clarke said...

G,day they are beautiful pictures. It is a wonderful world. I have travelled Australia a bit living out of the car at beaches and through the Daintree and its deserts. I ended up doing forest blockades with Greemies to stop logging and to promote indigenous rights. Nature and ideals togeather.
I write a bit of sci-fi myself and have written a book called Doom Of The Shem.Doom Of The Shem is a science fiction novel that incorporates the horror of military action with the unavoidable hostilities that occur when an alien species invade a planet in search of food. The barbarity of war is brought to light by the work achieved by the nurses and medical personnel of the planets inhabitants. While a full blown military action story emerges from an ensuing war that involves the whole planet. It is especially centered on a squad of the planets army forces, who fight the alien invaders.
doomoftheshem.blogspot.com

Barbara Martin said...

Craig, welcome, enjoy your visit.

L. Clarke, welcome. It's good to hear from other writers.

L.A. Mitchell said...

Wow, Barbara. Stunning. Even though there is snow on the ground in some of the photos, I imagine it warm.