HIKES

I am enjoying the wilderness experience I have craved for so long. Thanks so much for the wonderful inspiration. This really is the way life should be. - Brian Shelley, Cape Town, South Africa.

What You Need to Bring

Over the years, a solid trail network has been developed around Nuk Tessli. Day hikes can now be taken in five main directions. These trails are not graded footpaths; they are often rocky and sometimes boggy. They are marked by blazes on trees and cairns (rock piles.) They allow access to some very pretty alpine country, both on day hikes and overnight backpacking or camping trips.

TRIP DESCRIPTIONS (See Schedule for dates)

DAY HIKES          OVERNIGHT & BACKPACKING TRIPS

DAY HIKES

1. BOUNDARY LAKE

Canoe 5 kms up two lakes with a small, easy portage in between. Then walk 40 minutes to a third lake right against the boundary of the Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. The views of the main spine of the Central Coast Range are different from those seen at Nuk Tessli. There is almost no elevation gain.

2. THE LOOKOUT

A walk up an easy trail to Otter Lake, then a climb and finally a bit of a scramble to a rock bluff with a wonderful view of the lake and many of the surrounding mountains. Return via a small loop that rejoins the trail above Otter Lake, or via a larger loop that comes down Beach Creek and arrives at the lake a kilometre from home. The trail then follows the lake shore. About 150 metres (500 feet) elevation gain.

3. THE NORTH RIDGE

We head toward The Lookout then branch off to the right, reaching the Last Cairn, which is situated on the treeline, about 500 metres (1500 feet) above the cabins. Across the tundra beyond are an easily-reached series of small peaks; Snowshoe Mountain, The Mammaries, and Avalanche Lake Lookout. Avalanche Lake Lookout is the highest point of the North Ridge, about 500 metres (1500 feet) above the Last Cairn, but there are many spectacular views without going so far. The plateau below the North Ridge is home to a glorious meadows of alpine flowers in late July to mid August. The Mammaries sport a fascinating collection of rock alpines through July and early August.

4. NORTH PASS LAKE

Hike past The Lookout and a further kilometre or so with another 65 metres (200 feet) elevation gain. There are some panoramic views of the Central Coast Range en route.

5. THE WATERFALL

Even though the elevation gain is only 500 metres (1500 feet), this is a fairly long day hike. Take the trail to the North Pass Lake then a choice of two routes to to Incompetence Valley. One is more direct but initially steep and the other follows a trail along the lake shore. The steep route goes through flower meadows that are at their best in early August.

Incompetence Valley was named by an outfitter, now retired, who was guiding a group of hunters. They encountered 12 ptarmagin and all blasted off their guns but did not hit one.

The Waterfall tumbles into a shallow alpine lake. It is not a solid drop but a series of very pretty cascades.

Those who wish to spend more time in this area should opt for a camping trip.

6. GENTIAN VALLEY

This is another long day hike. Canoe up the two lakes as if going to Boundary Lake, but park the boats across the river and climb 500 metres (1500 feet) to a small, wild, north-facing valley with a glacier at the upper end. Near the glacier, permanent cornices drip water down rockfaces that host a huge variety of rock alpines, many little-known. However, the rock faces are too far to explore in a day hike; to enjoy these plants it is necessary to pack a camp.

7. WILDERNESS LAKE

The trail to Wilderness Lake is one of the prettiest in its own right, destination apart. It is reached by canoeing across my lake then climbing to a plateau full of shallow lakes that reflect all the surrounding mountains. Then it follows a wild river before climbing to 300 metres (1000 feet) above my cabins, to just below the treeline. Wilderness Lake is the jumping off point for a lot of dramatic alpine hiking but it is necessary to camp to reach the further destinations.

8. LOUISE O'MURPHY

Start on the trail to Wilderness Lake but branch off before Octopus Lake and head towards Fish Lake. If you keep going you will eventually reach Charlotte Lake and the nearest road. But not far above the treeline (600 metres - 1800 feet) above the cabins is a small bump that offers panoramic views of a number of lakes, and a multitude of peaks along the Central Coast Range.

OVERNIGHT CAMPS AND BACKPACKING TRIPS (See Schedule for dates)

The Nuk Tessli Alpine Experience can now offer an extensive array of camping and backpacking trips. For dates, see below.

A. WILDERNESS LAKE

Day 1. Fly directly from Nimpo Lake to Wilderness Lake and set up a base camp. A short hike will be made in the afternoon if there is time.
Days 2 and 3. there are a number of choices of hikes - an easier one goes to a moraine lake backed by a glacier; and others scale various peaks including Wilderness Mountain, the highest in the immediate area (2800 metres; 8500 feet.) Mountain Caribou are often seen in this area.
Day 4. Hike down the Wilderness Lake Trail to Nuk Tessli and spend the night in comfortable cabins. Enjoy a real meal!
Day 5. Fly out to Nimpo Lake or stay longer at Nuk Tessli if you wish.

B. GENTIAN VALLEY

Day 1. Fly from Nimpo Lake to Nuk Tessli, enjoy a short hike in the afternoon and spend the night in a cabin.
Day 2. Canoe up the two lakes and hike 3 hours to a campsite at the treeline.
Days 3 and 4. Explore the peaks surrounding the campsite. Your are close to the boundary of the Tweedsmuir Provincial Park so have spectacular views of the Central Coast Range. Botanists will delight in the amazing variety of rock alpines, many quite rare, that inhabit this valley. Look out also for Mountain Goats.
Day 5. Hike down to Nuk Tessli and spend the night in a cabin. Enjoy a real meal!
Day 6. Fly out to Nimpo Lake or stay longer if you wish.

C. GENTIAN VALLEY / WILDERNESS LAKE COMBINED

This is a more energetic trip as it involves moving camp.

Day 1. Fly from Nimpo Lake to Nuk Tessli, enjoy a short hike in the afternoon and spend the night in a cabin.
Day 2. Canoe up the two lakes then hike 3 hours to a campsite at the treeline in Gentian Valley. There will be time for a hike in the afternoon.
Day 3. Move camp across Flat Top Mountain and descend into the Wilderness Lake Valley.
Day 4. Climb Wilderness Mountain, the highest in the immediate area (2800 metres; 8500 feet.).
Day 5. Hike down the Wilderness Lake trail to Nuk Tessli, and spend the night in a cabin. Enjoy a real meal!
Day 6. Fly out to Nimpo Lake or stay longer at Nuk Tessli if you wish.

D. THE WATERFALL AND ANVIL MOUNTAIN.

Day 1. Fly from Nimpo Lake to Nuk Tessli, enjoy a short hike in the afternoon and spend the night in a cabin.
Day 2. Pack a camp to the base of The Waterfall.
Day 3. Climb Anvil Mountain and beyond to a dramatic view of the Atnarko Trench close to the edge of the destruction caused by the 2004 Lonesome Lake Fire.
Day 4. Return to Nuk Tessli, either by the route you hiked up on or, for the more energetic, a swing towards the North Ridge and any of the peaks along that route.
Day 5. Fly out to Nimpo Lake or stay longer at Nuk Tessli if you wish.

For reservations and further information:

Write - Chris Czajkowski, Nuk Tessli Alpine Experience, Nimpo Lake, BC VOL IRO, Canada
Phone: Summer - 250 742 3222. Winter - 250 476 1171.
E-mail - nuktessli@lincsat.com

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