Bedwell Lake Trail

Bedwell Lake Trail
2001

The Bedwell Lake Trail is located at the south end of Buttle Lake.
As you round the end of the lake heading to Westmin Mines follow the logging road that would take you to Jim Mitchell Lake. There is an information kiosk with a map by the road just past the cut off so if you get there just check the map and back track a bit. The trail head is about 7km up the logging road. There is an information shelter and parking on the right hand side of the road. The trail itself is on the left about 100 meters further along the road. (These are the little anomolies the books don't tell you about. We spent about 15 minutes exploring the area around the kiosk and the outhouse looking for the trail.)

The trail is 6km long and gains 600 metres in elevation. It is well marked. You will not get lost. There is board walk. There are metal stairs up some of the rock bluffs. (Purists will hate these. ) They may not be aesthetically pleasing but they were a relief to those of us who do not do the piton and crampon thing.

With breaks it took us three hours to reach Baby Bedwell Lake. Bedwell Lake is about an hour's hike further on. The book said average hiking time was 3 hours. We thought that meant the whole hike...ie. there and back. We were mortified because we thought we had taken over twice as long as the average hiker. Have since looked at the map and measured with strings. They were talking one way! We didn't do too badly then.

This mountain dominates that alpine landscape from Baby Bedwell on.
I think it is Mount Tom Taylor.

This was our first glimpse of Bedwell Lake.
We proceeded along to the camp site at the south end of the lake.

This was a good day hike....about 7 hours round trip for us. Younger, fitter hikers could probably do it in 5. There is designated camping at both Baby Bedwell and Bedwell. Only one tent was in evidence the day we were there but I understand that many people camp here and then to the round trip to Cream Lake as a day trip. That will be our project for next year.