Our destination for the day was Iceberg Lake, a well kept secret even amongst the locals in Campbell River. With a slight vertical climb of 550 meters and a distance of 22 kilometers, it was a day of exercise, clear headedness, and bewilderment that such an incredible journey should invoke such grounded piece of mind. Hidden away in our own back yard, the Elk River Trail is the access to Mt. Colonel Foster, ranked among the highest peaks on Vancouver Island. The rugged earth-shaken terrain of this jewel of Strathcona Park is a journey that I have taken often in the past and know I will embark upon again. In my memory, I see a small cirque not more than 60 meters across, full of icebergs in September. The bergs range in size from chunks the size of pizzas to semi-trailer trucks. Almost directly on the line of the 49th parallel and less than 3,500 feet above sea level, it truly is one of our best-kept secrets. The lake's name is unofficial, given to it by hikers and climbers. The trail to Landslide Lake is well maintained with washroom facilities at strategic locations along the path, designated camping sites and bear caches for our own safety and protection. The short trail between Landslide Lake and Iceberg Lake is really a 'bush bash', and reminds us how rugged and unyielding our coastal wilderness really is. The evidence of a dramatic earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale is witnessed the length of the trail. Thousands of tons of rock came tumbling down the ridge of Mt Colonel Foster polishing in its path the ridge that once stood with old growth timber and high alpine shrubs. Landslide Lake - 500 meters in diameter and filled with crystal clear, baby-blue water, constitutes the basin for this north ridge. When the quake struck, the lake overflowed its shores and sent an enormous tidal wave full of debris down the valley. Everything in its path was devastated. That was over 30 years ago and time and nature have worked their magic to heal the land with new growth. As diverse as it is untamed, the Elk River Valley (named for its resident herds of Roosevelt Elk), has numerous waterfalls, massive stands of old growth timber, streams and rivers galore, wildlife in numbers, fresh seasonal berries, and ever-changing wildflowers - all nestled in the arms of 7,000-foot mountain peaks. Just an hour’s drive from Campbell River, in the heart of Strathcona Park, sits the Elk River Trail on the path to Mt. Colonel Foster - with Iceberg Lake at its bosom and Landslide Lake at its feet I’ll be back.
Catherine Temple is an outdoor enthusiast and owner of Paradise Found
Adventure Tours. |
I sit comfortably with the
most recent pictures from my latest adventure into the wilderness of Strathcona Park. The
excitement quickly brings a smile to my face as I remember the most wonderful day I have
had in some time. A day where troubles and worries melt, replaced with visions of
cascading waterfalls, blooming wildflowers and the energy of old-growth forests.
Strathcona Park
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