Berg Glacier runs down the northern face of Mount Robson — the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres. Robson River framed by the wonderful fall colors. Hargreaves Lake Route (1/2 day): From Marmot campsite near Berg Lake, this route climbs to Hargreaves Lake and Glacier. This is the largest and most popular campground on the Berg Lake Trail, with the historic Hargreaves Shelter available for day use. It begins in a red cedar rain forest, then climbs past a series of lakes and waterfalls, circling around the west side of the mountain to Berg Lake on its north side. I woke up quite late the next morning with a bit of soreness, but the 7 km left to the car didn’t seem all that daunting. Eventually I came to the junction with a trail to Emperor Falls. After a nice 45 minutes of lounging by the lake it was time to leave since I didn’t feel like navigating the chaotic trail detour in the dark. The gentle wind is constantly whispering up the valley. Provided and copyright by: G. Donald Bain, University of California Berkeley Not quite trail running, but I was intent on booking it up to the lake so I could have time to enjoy it without having to return in the dark. Berg Lake is situated 3½ km northwest of Berg Glacier. From the moment I heard about this special mountain Shangri La I knew I had to visit. Waiting for the visitor center to issue permits was like watching glaciers move, so I took some photos of the nice scenery to pass the time. Tag: Berg Glacier The Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada (7-30-13) Mt. If you’re using Google Maps (first, read this post on how to download offline maps and find other helpful road trip planner tools! google_ad_width = 200; The rain started again just after I left the campsite. Would I be able to fit in a day hike on a weekday to beat the crowds without further pissing off my advisor back at UBC? After hiking around the lake (with a bit of seemingly unnecessary uphill) we arrived at the campground and found plenty of open tent sites. Note the drifting snow/ice just left of center. As I passed a group of backpackers near Berg Lake we heard a rumble from the nearby Mount Robson. Unfortunately things aren’t always so easy. The backdrop, should you be lucky enough to see it, as it’s often shrouded in mist or cloud, is Mount Robson,the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockiesrising 3,000 metres above the valley floor. It begins in a red cedar rain forest, then climbs past a series of lakes and waterfalls, circling around the west side of the mountain to Berg Lake on its north side. I don’t remember how many campgrounds I passed, all I know is that it was a lot. The Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park is one of the world's most dramatic alpine routes. Full of beautiful. Make memories that will last a lifetime with the “Berg Lake Drop” heli-tour! First, the weather looked absolutely terrible. Gettysburg, … Several dramatic glaciers pour down its northern sides. Full of beautiful. Known for its glacier, floating icebergs, and bright bluish-green water, the lake is a popular destination for hikers. The trail ahead follows the flow of the Robson River upstream as it flows directly from the west. /* Archives 200x200 */ So I had unwittingly stumbled upon one of this dude’s recommended spots, which I thought was pretty cool. The aftermath of the glacier collapse. Built in the 1920’s, people are not allowed to sleep in the shelter but with a wood fireplace inside, it makes a great place to relax and cook meals. I found Jess back at the shelter; she had enjoyed a relaxing day, including a short hike up the valley. It was time to scarf down a quick lunch and bid Jess adieu for the day – I had a big hike to complete and not a lot of time to do it. Segment from THE WEST IS BIG! The map called it the “Valley of a Thousand Falls,” which sounded familiar for some reason. One of a few crossings over the spectacularly blue Robson River. But I was determined to stick to the plan and make it to Berg so that we could sleep in the next day and have a leisurely hike out. The hike. None had filled up though, which was a bit surprising that late in the day. More lost time that would have to be made up. I had made it to the lake under budget and ahead of schedule in a cool 3 hours of hiking from Kinney. We started up the Berg Lake Trailhead, but didn’t have enough time to reach Berg Glacier. First and foremost, the trail needs to be booked online here. The Berg Lake Trail takes you to the shores of Berg Lake where you get great views of the Berg Glacier. Our first year we saw what happens when you don’t book ahead. Luckily I checked the site again and struck gold a second time - a site had now opened up at Kinney Lake. google_ad_slot = "7812802037"; This treck can be made as a one or multiple day hike. We are at Berg Lake. Maybe I’ll plan another trip there next summer…, A University of British Columbia student club, Racing Glaciers: An Expedited Berg Lake Adventure. Hiking near Berg Lake and Mount Robson. The Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park is one of the world's most dramatic alpine routes. google_ad_client = "pub-1182166660032404"; I sit now at the shore of the lake, directly across from Berg Glacier. Hargreaves Glacier Lookout. If you’re looking for big, bold Rocky Mountain scenery – the kind that takes your breath away then you’ll find it on the Berg Lake trail. On the way back I had a chat with this friendly grouse. Beautiful Berg Lake at sunrise. Iceberg Lake is a popular hiking destination, and the trail that gets you there adds to the experience. Another of the Thousand Falls. Mount Robson is so big that it makes its own micro-climate, a good thing if you’re keen to hike by mid-June as it’… It’s certainly worth the very short side trip: The sun came out right as I arrived at the falls. Mist Glacier is the first glacier that appears at eye-line when backpacking Berg Lake. The hike back was mostly uneventful, save for a bit of fun wildlife on the trail. Sitting on the south edge of Berg Lake and having amazing views of Mt Robson, Mist Glacier and Berg Glacier, this campground is a favorite amongst hikers on the trail. 2-4 days as a multi day Elevation Gain: 800 meters; Difficulty: Difficult because of length; Best Time To Go: July – September Parking: Kinney Lake Road The beginning of the Berg Lake trailhead is only a short drive away from the Mount Robson visitor center and just 87 km away from the town of Jasper. Follow the trail and you’ll soon round a corner that will open up with views of Berg Lake. As I checked my progress on the map I realized another cool thing about this area I was now exploring. Seen here is the Berg Glacier, which calves small icebergs into Berg Lake. (And that’s why it’s called Berg Lake!) Hiking the berg lake trail around Mount Robson Glacier, in British Columbia Canada. Again, this was a good idea in theory but was immediately called into question in practice, as the trail markers led me on a confusing detour around a broken bridge. Download this Mount Robson Provincial Park Berg Lake Glacier British Columbia Canada photo now. The soothing blue waters of the Robson River calmed my worries about running out of daylight on my hike. The trouble was, so did everyone else last summer. I had much to reflect on as the trip came to a close. The hike to Iceberg Lake near Whistler takes you high into the alpine, following the scenic forested trail near 19 Mile Creek before arriving at a beautiful meadow in the foreground of Rainbow Glacier. However, it wasn’t that long until I was past the detour and able to cruise up the very well-built trail. I was dejected at the imminent prospect of driving 6 hours for a solo trip in sketchy weather. Jess could make the easy 7 km to that lake, which would still put me in a great position to get to Berg as a day trip. From the viewpoint, the trail continues and crosses the Toboggan Falls Route on course to the Mumm Basin. Hargreaves Lake Route (1/2 day): From Marmot campsite near Berg Lake, this route climbs to Hargreaves Lake and Glacier.From the viewpoint, the trail continues and crosses the Toboggan Falls Route on course to the Mumm Basin. Enjoy the stunning Mist Glacier as you pass by Marmot Campground (7.7 km from Whitehorn campground), and continue hiking along the lakeshore watching the namesake Berg Glacier cap off into the lake, leaving icebergs floating in the icy blue waters. Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3954m (12,972ft), towers over Berg Lake. Photo about beautiful, person, background, backpack, adventure - 126836817 The photo above showing majestic Mount Robson and Berg Glacier was taken on a hiking trip to Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada. “There’s this place called Valley of a Thousand Falls up in Canada; you should definitely check it out sometime man” or something to that effect. A reminder of my favorite mountaineering quote from Gerry Roach: “Geologic time includes now.”. The Berg Glacier feeds into Berg lake, which is located on the Robson River and within Mount Robson Provincial Park in the Canadian Rockies. ... the Berg Lake Trail is … Berg Lake campsite is 21 km from the trailhead parking lot. The views from the campsite were alright I guess. She had the enviable task of holding the fort back at camp, with plenty of time for drawing and relaxing. I’ve heard of plenty of people doing Berg Lake in a day, but I’m a bit torn on whether I’d really recommend experiencing the area that way. The trail steepened a bit as it went up the valley, but overall the elevation change was barely noticeable thanks to the well-designed trail. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Hiking the berg lake trail around Mount Robson Glacier, in British Columbia Canada. The Berg Glacier is on the shaded north side of Mount Robson, which protects it from the heat of the sun. A backpacking journey on the gorgeous Berg Lake Trail in Canada's Mount Robson Provincial Park. We would definitely recommend you to save up to three days for exploring Berg Lake and it’s surroundings. Second, my partner, Jessica, had severely injured her foot earlier in the summer and it was not healing quickly enough for her to make it the 20+ km to the lake. Mount Robson, highest peak in the Canadian Rockies (3954m/12,972ft) towers above its neighbors. Toboggan Falls Route (2 hours, return): From the trailhead at the Toboggan Creek bridge near Berg Lake campsite, the trail climbs to Toboggan Falls and the … //-->, Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of. Sadly the good lighting didn’t last long as clouds moved in. Don’t know if there are really a thousand falls, but there are quite a few. The Berg Glacier cascades down the side of the mountain into the lake where it breaks off and forms icebergs. We all looked just in time to see a huge chunk of ice fall off of a hanging glacier and crash down the slopes. “Brep” was the reply. I soon remembered a conversation I had had several years ago with this crazy older dude on a backpack in the Grand Canyon: he had spent the previous night hiding from a storm under a rock outcropping (part of which had collapsed right next to him) and was now regaling me with stories of all the amazing places he had visited in his life. ), you’ll want to put in directions to Ptarmigan Tunnel trailhead. The lake and glacier are at the doorstep of the north face of Mount Robson (3,954m/12,972ft) which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. If the situation had been more ideal I would’ve much preferred to spend at least one night there, if not more. We went back and forth like this before I asked the real question troubling my alpine-addled mind: “Is the natural state of the soul quiet or chaos?” “Neither,” said the wise mountain chicken, “it’s transient, shifting like water.” I left it at that, and brepped farewell before continuing on my way. Because of its impressive stature, it intercepts more moisture from passing air masses, resulting in a nearly permanent cloud cap and very high precipitation. Though it’s way nicer to take your time and enjoy the scenery! “Brep?” I said to it. This area offers outstanding views of Berg Lake, named for the icebergs commonly seen floating in the gorgeous blue water after having broken off from the Berg Glacier. Fed by the massive Mist, Berg and Robson glaciers, visitors often see huge sections of ice break off or “calve” into the blue/green, silt-laden waters of Berg Lake. As the final weekend of September approached and the trip grew near, a couple of things caused me to doubt the viability of the whole thing. Robson at 12,972 feet is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies (though not in all of Canada). All told it was less than 6 hours of hiking round trip from there, which was better than I had hoped. Thankfully, I didn’t have to find out – with barely enough signal outside of Jasper I checked the permit site one more time, and to my great surprise I found one single tent spot available at Berg Lake, on a weekend no less. There were still lots of fall colors to take in on the shores of Kinney Lake. The trail then ascends a boulder field to Iceberg Lake next to Rainbow Mountain offering … The slopes of Mount Robson on the final approach to Berg Lake. The crown jewel in Mount Robson Provincial Park is Berg Lake itself, a turquoise-blue glacier lake where you can relax on the large lakeshore in solitude and even hear the Berg Glacier calving into the lake from your nearby tent. This butterfly decided to hang out as we were packing up. A bit of rain started to fall at Kinney Lake. It was hard to go too fast as I had to keep stopping for photos. A young couple thought they would be able to get a walk-on reservation. The trouble was, so did everyone else last summer. Photo about person, female, rock, male, adventure, beautiful, hike - 126836814 Photo by Pamela Roth Located in Mount Robson Provincial Park along the eastern edge of B.C., the Berg Lake Trail is … So I returned to a style of hiking that I hadn’t used in quite some time, which I guess could be described as speed hiking. Would we be potentially waking up to a foot of fresh snow at Berg? So I made the reservation, and a few days later we found ourselves at the Mount Robson Visitor Centre, complete with a somewhat more favorable weather forecast. Iceberg Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel share the same trailhead. A sadly empty tent pad in beautiful environs. Length: 41.5 km Duration: 8-14 hours as a day hike. Photo: Olivier.pilot, Public domain. Located in Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, Berg Lake tends to be filled with icebergs throughout the year. So I snapped that up immediately and knew then that I would be making a return trip to the Rockies in a few weeks. All reviews miles round trip bug repellent long hike surrounding mountains mile hike bear scat amazing hike hiking poles glacier np black beans lake grizzly trail scenery shoes sunscreen snow feet elevation pit incline waterfall. From Marmot campsite near Berg Lake, this route climbs to Hargreaves Lake and Glacier. First world problems I guess. It was only a matter of feet before we caught our first glimpse of the Mist Glacier that clings to the western facing wall of Mount Robson. Summary authors & editors: G. Donald Bain. Berg Lake: a place of blue waters, roaring waterfalls, and glaciers reaching down from jagged peaks all the way to the water’s edge. I wondered briefly if I should join… But Berg Lake was calling and I had to answer. google_ad_height = 200; But I am very glad and very fortunate that I got to see it, one way or another. Berg Lake is a lake on the Robson River just below the river's source located within Mount Robson Provincial Park, at the doorstep of the north face of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The trailhead is behind the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn in the Many You’ll need to know your party size, age category of each member … Crossing the Robson River one last time on a make-shift bridge from BC Parks. The trailhead is located at the end of the street just behind the Berg Lake Visitor Centre. The parks employee at the trail registration desk told them no – with it being the long weekend and blue skies in the forecast – there was no chance and she sent them elsewhere. Marmot Campground is a great home base for many day hikes as it is only roughly 4km from the infamous day trips like Snowbirds Pass , Hargreaves Lake , and Mumm Basin . The weather at Mount Robson … Berg Lake Trail Map. Travel Guides series DVD Blu-ray GLACIER: THE HIKER'S NATIONAL PARK. The Berg Glacier spilling into the lake After a bit of time, we arrived at the Berg Lake site with its renowned Hargreaves Shelter. An impressive first sight onto Berg glacier. Seen here is the Berg Glacier, which calves small icebergs into Berg Lake. I had really struck gold with the campsite reservation. In this segment we hike to Ice Berg Lake. I was happy to have time for a real meal before the sun set, then it was off to a well-deserved rest. The storms would come and go in waves throughout the day. After finally getting our “official” permit (still not sure what the point of that whole check-in process was), we hit the trail a bit later than I would have liked. Finally, the lake appeared in my view and soon I was at the shore. Berg Lake with glacier Mt Robson Provincial Park British Columbia Canada. Nicole S wrote a review Mar 2020. From the moment I heard about this special mountain Shangri La I knew I had to visit. Beyond Kinney Lake, the trail enters the Valley of a Thousand Falls. I had finally returned to Kinney, with some time to spare. Interact: var addthis_pub="usra";Share | Discuss on Facebook | Subscribe,