Emma Lake - Sept. 13-15, 2007

This is a little late, but better now than never. We did this trip last fall in mid-September and had a blast!
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Heather and I decided to check out the intriguing Emma Lake and South Powell Divide area. We have talked of doing a longer traverse in the area, and figured this would make for a good reconnaissance mission. The plan was to relax after a long summer and enjoy some of the beautiful scenery that this area has to offer.

Day One

We took the second ferry over from Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay and drove up the well maintained Goat Lake Main. This is quite an enjoyable drive, taking in some of the many lakes in the area, many of which make up the Powell River Forest Service Canoe Route (also on our list). We followed along on the map and turned right on to what we felt was the B Branch (not marked), we were correct and passed through the major washout and up to the trail head.


Trail post indicates the start of the trail.

We ate lunch on top of our truck and fought off bugs and took in the mountain views. The trail was easy to follow and crossed a few slides. The trail turned left and headed up a steep incline with creek left. The bugs were thick and the trail steep.


Heather grinding her way to gain the ridge.

About half way up to Maria Lake there are a few spots to step out onto the granite slabs to cool off in the creek, the dogs loved this. We got to Maria Lake with views north towards Mount Alfred and it's icefields. Mount Alfred is the highest mountain on the south Powell Divide.


Views to Mount Alfred from Maria Lake

The trail turned west and popped out onto a rock slide for a moment and back into the bush. Shortly after this you start to get above the tree line and begin to see Canada Ridge, which we gained after about 2.5 hours (with loaded packs). A few shots of the stunning glacier sculpted granite and a short ramble down takes you to the Emma Lake Cabin. This is a well stocked and well maintained cabin and made for a lovely spot.


Looking north on Canada's Ridge.


The Forest Service Recreation Site - Emma Lake Cabin (Classic Gothic Design)

Day Two

As I said the plan was to relax, so we slept in, had breakfast and got hiking by about 10am. The destination was to visit the chilly waters of the Emerald Valley. We crossed a metal bridge and were afforded with beautiful views of Mount Slide and the Beartooth Mountain group west of Powell Lake.



We skirted the SW shore of Emma Lake until we spotted a small mossy line to gain the granite cliffs of Pickles and Puzzles.


A look behind (north) gave us view of Emma Lake and the Thunderdome.

There is a route that goes around Emma Lake, but we had out eyes on the granite cliffs of Pickles and Puzzles and the Emerald Valley.
We rambled around on these massive hunks of rock for awhile, this rambling could be as easy or as hard as you like. The western end of the ridges showed views of Scrub Lake and the Mountains west of Powell Lake.


Heather taking it all in.

We came upon a icy tarn above Emma Lake with the chilly melt water from the Emerald Valley slowly dripping into it. We had an invigorating dip and ate lunch while warming in the sun.


Icy tarn below Snowy Mountain

We continued south across the granite slabs and moved onto a small snowfield and ended by skirting the Emerald Valley with Snowy Mountain to our east and the rest of the South Powell Divide over a small pass to our south. We decided to head back and explore the Emma Creek and Scrub Lake area on the way back as we were feeling a little tired. We took a tonne of lovely pictures, here a just a few...


Quiggs and I checking out one of the many massive granite slabs!


Oliver and Heather enjoying the snowfields.


Beautiful evening shades against the mountains skirting Emma Lake.

Day Three

We headed back the way we came in, after another lazy morning. What a beautiful trip, definitely top 3 to date!