By Keith and Heather Nicol
This summer our main hiking has taken place in the lower elevations of the Comox Valley and at Whistler Blackcomb (see http://keithnicol.blogspot.com/2024/07/checking-out-whistler-blackcomb.html). But on Sunday, July 28 we decided to check out the trail to Croteau Lake which is in Strathcona Provincial Park which is conveniently on our door step. We hadn’t done this trail for a couple of years so we thought it was time to explore it again. I was joined by my xc ski and biking buddy Steve and we started from an informal trail along the access road to Raven Lodge (park in the large pullout at 49.7372 N 125.3104 W and walk along the road for 100 steps or so to access this informal trail). This reduced our distance to the Croteau Lake by about 1 km. Via this route the distance was about 5.4 km 1 way and this took us about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get in which included stopping for pictures in several places.
Having lunch at Croteau Lake
Along the way the trail passes by Battleship Lake other scenic lakes like Kooso and Lady Lake before climbing to Croteau lake. The trail is in good shape with some roots and rocks to contend with in places. Croteau Lake is home to a large group camp site and we ate lunch in the 2 yellow chairs that face the lake. Surprisingly there were no campers at any of the tent platforms while we were there. The lake faces Mt Albert Edward but on this day the view was obscured by cloud. The trail continues to Kwai Lake and beyond but with a forecast of mid afternoon rain we decided to return via the same route we hiked in on. On this day there were still some wildflowers out and we saw some alpine lupins and even some bog orchids along the trail. We were amazed at the wide range of hikers doing this trail from families with children to small groups of seniors out for a hike on a nice summer day. For more information see: http://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/strath/
Steve walking along the trail next to Battleship Lake
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