Wild Hazel Cultus Loop

April 15, 2023 in Cultus Lake Provincial Park

Stats: 14.7 km / 748m gain / 627m high point / 4 hours MT

This hike is so close to home and yet all but one of the 14 of us had never done the first half of it before. The forecast of showers held off till the last hour and then it was just a few sprinkles.

Instead of turning right onto the Horse Trail by Edmonston Rd, we crossed the road, walked a little ways back towards the Columbia Valley Hwy that skirts Cultus Lake, and then started climbing up the Wild Hazel trail (we marked it with a red tape). At the junction we turned right, thus doing a mini loop.

After a short section on the Liumchen Creek FSR, we turned left onto the TCT that follows alongside the FSR for over 2 km.

Dirtbike tracks marked the trail.

Then we turned right at a 4-way FSR junction, turning onto the F350 logging road. That's when the slope became steeper.

Working up a sweat.

At the last switchback before International Ridge, we parked ourselves for lunch at 600m. We didn't linger too long as the temperatures were rather chilly. This view is of Vedder Mt. & Cultus Lake valley.

Group shot, back row left to right: Charlotte H, Kim & John B, Ingrid F, Joan A, Elizabeth B, Cathy U, Paul L, Bote M

Front row left to right: Anne O'L, me, Michelle K, Rewa M (newbie), Owen W (newbie)

At the fork, both trails were International Ridge. This one led to the higher ridge and the right one that we took skirted the slope until turning into the Horse trail that led down and back to the vehicles.

Cautious steps on a narrow path etched out of a steep landslide slope.

At this bend we could see Cultus Lake & valley through the trees.

Up & over or down & under.

Rewa was so impressed with the moss.

A fairly new washout. Kim did more than lend a helping hand. She pretty well pulled us up.

Back on familiar ground on the Horse trail.

Anne was visiting from Victoria. I promised I'd organize a hike for this Saturday. It turned out to be a good choice. Seven of us went to the Waves for hot drinks afterwards.

Cultus Lake and our loop hike (turquoise).