Capturing the Art of Nature
Return to Lindeman
It has been years since I last hiked into Lindeman Lake, What a change!
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
2016
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I am always surprised at how long it is between visits, my last time to the lake was over 6 years ago! There is so much back country to explore that it seems to take a long time to get back to some old favourite sites. Well even though the lake itself was essentially the same as last trip except for the water level being a bit higher due to the spring melt, the new parking lot and swarms of visitors was very different. It seems that the lake has become well known and people by the dozens are now hiking in to enjoy a few minutes at the lake. The far end still gets fewer but even there it was busy with bodies.
Now today’s hike had special significance to me in that my wife Carolyn was able to go with me. This was the first time in over 20 years that she has been well enough to do a hike like this. This is the start of what I hope will be many more adventures in the hills. I am looking forward to her seeing some of the amazing sites I have enjoyed over the years.
As is typical of most trips, todays began with a first stop for coffee followed by one for fuel. Today we were able to drive Carolyn’s Buick as we were on pavement the entire way. That added some comfort to the trip but I did miss the truck, it just seems so much a part of the back country experience. We made good time to Chilliwack and then up the Chilliwack Lake road. On arriving at Post Creek we saw the large parking area and drove through it looking for a parking spot – none were open so back to the road and the traditional location alongside of the pavement. We got our gear ready and set off for the trail.
The parking are area now boasts an outhouse but the line-up for it was more than either of us wanted to wait for. So off we went along the old roadway that I remembered from previous trips. The trail was well worn and easily followed as it made its way along the creek gaining ground for the close end of the lake. I had forgotten about the constant work needed to get across rocks and roots as one ascended the steep section to the lake. It really is more of a workout than one expects. As we made our way up, we were constantly being passed by groups of young people in the late teens through mid-thirties. They just kept coming and in both directions. The number of dogs was also quite large, it seemed that every second group had a dog with them. Some so small that I am sure the hike was harmful to them, virtually none had owners with water for them and many lacked any for themselves.
Once through the steepest section we enjoyed our first view of the lake. An amazing range of colour from aquamarine through cerulean as the angle of the sun varied in the distance. Carolyn was up for more so we continued past the main camping area and started along the western shore for the far end of the lake. Soon we reached the first talus field. This one is short but the boulders are quite large so it makes for a good scramble. Once past we continued up the lake and soon reached the far talus field. This one is much longer but somewhat easier to traverse. Here we caught up with a large group of youth who were here as a group from a church. They were having a good time clambering over the rocks with a few taking a dip in the cold lake. One of the leaders had a Phantom 3 drone that he was flying to gather some photos. I’d love to see how they turned out.
The wooden bridge at the far end of the lake was still in good shape and helped one cross the steepest area of the slope. We walked a log bridge across the upper Post creek and then settled down on a log for lunch while enjoying the north end of the lake. The sun was out but the wind provided a lovely cooling breeze making it an ideal setting for lunch. After eating and enjoying the sights we started back along the way we came. It always seems longer on the return but we continued forward finally reaching the difficult steep section. Carolyn found this particularly tiring as her short legs made the constant drop more challenging. Well we finally made back to the car and a well needed rest in a comfortable seat. It was a very successful adventure and we both enjoyed our time out on the lake.