As someone who did not grow up in the outdoors I jump at every occassion to hike or backcountry camp. Whether it’s a solo adventure, car camping, or striking up a conversation with others on the trail, it’s my preferred way to spend time. But it had been a while since I hiked something big and I only had a couple of days to explore. So it was off to discover the iconic Floe Lake in Kootenay region with Basia. I’d never hiked this part of Rockies before and I would highly recommend to plan your trip for late July. The wildflowers were nothing short of spectacular.
spend your hours being love
breathing it in and out
sitting beside the trees and animals and good people…
v.erickson
location
The Kootenay region, also known as Kootenays or KOOT-nee, is located in southeastern British Columbia. It is named after the Kootenay River, which in turn was named after the Kutenai First Nations people. Situated in the Rocky Mountains, this National Park spans 1,406 square kilometers (543 sq mi) and offers a diverse landscape with towering summits, hanging glaciers, narrow chasms, forested valleys, and vibrant mineral pools. To explore the park, the 106-kilometer long Banff-Windermere Highway (Hwy 93 south) provides a picturesque route from north to south, connecting the park to Banff National Park and revealing captivating sights at every turn.
If you’re traveling from Calgary, Kootenay National Park is 166km to the west, passing through Banff National Park on the way. Coming from Vancouver to the east entrance of the National Park, it’s an 823km drive passing through Glacier National Park (Canadian), Yoho National Park, and the western part of Banff National Park. Another option is the town of Radium, BC, which is situated on the western border of the National Park and offers all the amenities you might need, including the Radium Hot Springs.
explore
- floe lake
The trail to Floe Lake is well-known for its stunning natural beauty. The endpoint of the Rockwall Trail, Floe Lake offers a challenging yet rewarding journey. The trail takes you through an old fire zone before ascending rapidly to reach the alpine lake. The lake, fed by glacial waters, shines in an array of captivating blue and green hues under the radiant sun. Staying overnight at the campsite nestled along the shoreline can make the experience even more memorable. If you’re short on time, a day trip to Floe Lake is also a great option.
The trail begins with a gradual incline, allowing you to ease into the journey before encountering a series of challenging switchbacks leading up to the lake. Although the trail is not particularly technical, you should be ready to cover long distances with limited access to protection, water, or shade. However, the breathtaking scenery along the way makes the effort worthwhile!
Early on in the hike, you’ll come across the first significant landmark: a sturdy bridge that spans the picturesque Kootenay River. Approximately 1.8 kilometers into the hike, you’ll encounter a second bridge crossing a creek. While the creek runs alongside the trail, providing a soothing backdrop for much of the journey, there are only limited opportunities for water access along the way.
The trail continues with a gentle traverse along the southern face of the mountain, passing through a meadow scattered with charred timber, remnants of a wildfire that swept through the valley many years ago. On hot days, there is little shade, and without protection, you may be at risk of getting a heat stroke in the open, previously burned area. As the trail nears the mountain wall and the rushing Floe Creek, it gradually becomes steeper.
After passing Floe Creek, the real adventure begins with a series of steady dirt switchbacks for the final 2 km, accounting for about half of the hike’s total elevation gain. Despite the steepness, this ascent offers some advantages: more shaded areas and captivating views of the surrounding mountains and the valley behind. It also offers mosquitos and horse flies!!
As the trail finally levels out into a cozy pine forest, you’ll know that you’re almost there. Just after the campground sign, you’ll see a fork in the trail that guides you toward the lakeshore, and voila!
- Distance: 21.5 km
- Elevation Gain: 1042 m
- Moving Time: 6:16:44
- Difficulty: Hard
- numa pass from floe lake
Consider adding the 5.4 km roundtrip extension to Numa Pass to your Floe Lake trip; from there, you can enjoy an impressive vantage point showcasing the full majesty of Floe Peak and the surrounding mountains.
To access the pass, keep going past the campground. Follow a marked trail through pine forests and a valley of larches for approximately 2.7km. Beyond the tree line, the trail traverses an alpine ridge to reach the saddle between Numa Mountain and Forest Peak.
The awe-inspiring 360-degree vistas that welcome those who reach this point provide a glimpse of the landscapes found along the Rockwall Trail. During the middle of July, we were welcomed by a beautiful display of wildflowers, each boasting vibrant colors. However, in early fall, the valley of larches will be aglow with a golden hue stretching from Numa Pass to Floe Peak.
If you choose to continue to Numa Pass from Floe Lake, you’ll be adding about 350m of elevation gain, resulting in a total round-trip hike of over 26km. Staying overnight at Floe Lake can give you the advantage of starting the hike to Numa Pass with fresh legs in the morning.
- Distance: 5.4 km
- Elevation Gain: 350 m
- Average Time: 2:00:00
- Difficulty: Moderate
hiking with polish people
I don’t know why we do certain things but they sure make us distinctly Polish:
- NIE means NO, NO means YES and TAK means YES
- We are less loud than Americans, except when we’re drunk or worked up over something
- If you ask how we are, be ready to hear how we REALLY are
- We can absorb more vodka than you
- Two Poles together will have three point of views, or four
- We love pickles
- We are stubborn, blunt and straight forward
Camping and backpacking in Kootenay NP can be booked here.
happy trails!!
