CR2014: Arnica Lake, Mount Engadine Lodge

July 28th was a transit day; we drove from Yoho National Park in British Columbia to Mount Engadine Lodge, in the Spray Valley Provincial Park, Alberta. On the way we took a detour on Highway 93, south to the parking area for the hike to Arnica Lake. This snapshot from Google Maps shows the parking area in the upper left, and Arnica in lower right.

Unfortunately, the trail first descends to the level of Vista Lake before commencing a relentless climb up the flanks of Storm Mountain. This early view of the trail doesn't yet reveal Vista Lake.

Along this stretch there were several towering concretions/agglomerations, looking like wanna-be hoodoos. We were also buzzed by a hummingbird near this location.

The trail bent to the left, continuously descending, and Vista Lake grew closer.

This shot was taken from the lake's outlet. As the Copelands' book Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies notes,

It's an odd name for a lake at the bottom of a viewless fold.

After forty minutes of steady climbing we had gained enough altitude to look back at the parking area. The trees are young, regrowth after the 1968 Vermilion Pass fire. Our bodies were throwing off copious amounts of heat from the uphill slog, so being in the sun wasn't as pleasant as it ought to have been.

Towards the top of the climb we left the burn area, and the trees became much larger and taller, a wonderful development. Our pigs were relieved when we arrived at the shores of Arnica Lake.

It was a beautiful spot to take lunch. A light breeze helped keep the bugs away, mostly, and dry out our sweat-soaked shirts.

This was the turnaround point of our day hike. Overnight backpackers continue on to Twin Lakes and a popular campground. We didn't encounter any other hikers on this trail, however, until after starting our return.

When we broke out into the burn area I took another panoramic photo. The horizontal white streak is the cut for Highway 93.

Vista Lake was still a long way down.

This panoramic shot of Vista Lake was taken after beginning the ascent to the parking area.

Joan and I arrived back at the rental car tired and hot, but pleased with our first visit to Arnica Lake, overlooked until this twelfth visit to the Canadian Rockies. It's well situated for a travel day from Yoho to Mount Engadine Lodge.

At the lodge we met Riley and Mallory, the new innkeepers, and settled in. After dinner the sun slid behind the mountains, shadowing the meadow behind the lodge,

and half an hour after that, the famous Engadine moose began to show up at the mud hole. They slurp up the muddy water for its mineral content.

I also captured a photo of this year-old male moose; check out the knobbly little antlers he's growing.

Tomorrow, Joan and I will tackle a truly aggressive hike.