Mt. Lindeman Summit

Aug. 18, 2023 - Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

Stats: 17.56 km / 1708m gain / 2268m high / 7:40 hours MT

We filed out of the forest at the end of the day, weary and worn, a bit bloody from scrapes and a bit blue from bruises but feeling a keen sense of accomplishment. The reward was well worth the effort. What a beauty! This hike has so much to offer, from serene meadows, to pretty wildflowers along a bubbling brook, to three deep blue lakes and unending views of umpteen peaks.

We had a one-day window, between weeks of sweltering hot temperatures and hazey skies filled with forest fire smog. This day the conditions couldn't have been better. Although we saw the smoke of four forest fires from the summit, the air was clear.

This hike is very special to our club, because about 700 hours of volunteered labour by about 40 people, were put into creating the trail. A big thanks goes to Harry Waldron who spearheaded the project. After the government told us to "make it so that it looks like it never exsisted", I was happy to see the path is still well trod and well marked with flagging tape & cairns. In fact the hike is now listed in the All Trails app.

After about a one hour drive to the east end of Chilliwack River Valley, we parked here by Rexford (2130m) & Illulsion (1950m) peaks. A 4x4 is recommended, as there's several deep water-bars in the FSR.

The first 3 km were fairly flat with an elevation gain of only 227m, on an FSR where alders had taken over and parts of the trail were very eroded, looking more like a creek. There were two washout sections.

At the end of the 3km FSR, we turned a sharp left and did a very steep 20-minute grunt alongside a creek, before crossing a second even more overgrown FSR.

David lending a helping hand. Now the grade of the slope mellowed out somewhat.

Tim from our arborist crew felled these trees and another one of our landscape crews did some brush clearing in this area.

Charlotte H, Sonia J, Joan S, Heather F + Owen W

It took us 2 hours (with a few short breaks) to get to the meadow.

This is where the boulders started and didn't stop. So half of the route was on boulders.

Body-hoisting, balancing, dodging those unforgiving boulders.

Soon we started the steep climb through the gully carved out by the creek and lined with wildflowers.

Alpine Fireweed.

The Cheam Range to the northwest.

The col between the rock walls was where we agreed to regroup.

1) Rocky Mountain Grass-of-Parnassus 2) Seep Monkey Flower

Arrived at the col where we all had our "Wow!" moment. It took us 1:30 hours to get from the meadow to the col where we regrouped and had a decision to make: go down to the lake or up to the summit. Charlotte decided to do the 20-minute hike down to the lake and go for a swim.

Uppering Hanging Lake.

I apologize for forgetting to take a group shot here. To the left is Redoubt Mt (2438m).

We climbed up along the left side of this boulder slope and then crossed over to the right on the upper ledge. This how we'd summited seven years ago so as to avoid the snow. But now there was no snow on the route so going down we stayed more on the right side and angling towards the large flat black rock on the col. This is the more doable route that showed up on the app and is marked with cairns.

The Cheam Range -- northwest.

Tough stuff.

Crossing over on the ledge.

This is where Sonia & Joan decided to turn back and go down to the lake.

Mt. Baker -- south.

Narrow wall at the west side of the top of the boulder slope. This is what we were looking at from the meadow.

We stuck to a narrow dirt path until we got to the black boulders. From there it wasn't far to the summit.

At this point we had to help eachother a bit by handing over our poles so we could use all fours to hoist ourselves up.

Made it!!! Owen W, Heather F, me, Jim A + Sheri K

It took us one hour to get from the col to the summit.

The next 7 photos are a 360-degree view of our surroundings. Notice the billows of smoke to the north.

2) Chilliwack Lake with two forest fires on the go -- east.

3) And yet a fourth forest fire -- southeast.

4) Mt. Redoubt to the left -- southeast.

5) Mt. Baker -- south.

6) Upper Hanging Lake + Slesse Mt (2070m) to the right -- southwest.

7) Slesse + Rexford (2130m).

Cassie took our group shot. When she heard we were from the Chilliwack Outdoor Club, she told us she used to work with Terry Bergen at BCAA. I told her that Terry was a dear friend that we've shared many adventures with.

One the way down I walked a bit off course onto this large flat rock to get this shot of the Lower Hanging Lake. Its right beside the upper lake.

Leaving our lofty perch.

The ledge that we avoided taking during the descent.

And this is why; hiking on dirt is much easier than climbing on boulders.

About 1/3 way down this slope above the lake, Heather & Sheri decided to drop down about another 100m to the lake and join the other 3 ladies.

Charlotte & David were waiting at the col. The five of us decided to keep going. The other four fasties would catch up when we regrouped at the meadow. Owen was trying to get away with a smoother descent but the snow was too soft to glissade on.

Looking back at the col.

At this point we dropped down into the narrow gully with the creek.

We heaved a sign of relief at the meadow, glad to have the boulders behind our backs. By 6:30pm we were all back at the vehicles, having our typical tailgate party. Even though it was late, no one was in a rush to get up and go home. Later in Chilliwack when we were at the parking lot and transferring our gear, we had to laugh at how ridiculous we looked when walking. Rigor mortis.

So along for this day were: Jim A, Heather F, David G, Charlotte H, Sonia J, Sheri K, Joan S, Owen W + Joce T (me)