Climbing Berg Lake Path BC

When our associates managed to order campsites on BC’s Berg Lake path in Mount Robson Provincial Park, I jumped on the probability to affix them. The trail, on the far side of BC near Jasper Nationwide Park, was a sort of that was on my guidelines nonetheless I certainly not thought I’d persuade Thom to affix me.

I imagine the reality that even Thom (who’s not a wonderful keen hiker) beloved the Berg Lake hike speaks for itself. The trail is filled with spectacular views of snowy mountain peaks, waterfalls, beautiful lakes and glaciers too. In case you want to know additional in regards to the Berg Lake path then study this Berg Lake mountaineering info and hopefully, any questions you should have will doubtless be answered!

2023 Exchange: The Kinney Lake path opens June seventh 2023 to the campground only for day-hikes and in a single day stays. The trail previous Kinney Lake Campground will doubtless be closed for the remainder of the yr. Indicators will doubtless be posted to level path closures – attempt these choices to Berg Lake

Berg Lake mountaineering info

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Below you’ll uncover all of the issues you can discover out about backpacking the Berg Lake path along with Berg Lake reservations, tenting, get there and further in regards to the path itself.

Regarding the Berg Lake path

The Berg Lake Path is in Mount Robson Provincial Park and takes you from the Mount Robson buyer centre as a lot as Berg Lake on the foot of the mountain.  Mount Robson is the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954m tall and it’s moreover a World Heritage Web page! If you gained’t actually be mountaineering Mount Robson, you’ll get some unbelievable views of the mountain.

The trail to Berg Lake is about an hour west of Jasper, and about 8 hour’s drive from Vancouver. It’s renowned for being one of many essential spectacular trails in BC and, for that goal, it’s a popular one too.

Id’ advocate staying the night someplace close to the trailhead sooner than beginning your hike. The closest cities to the Berg Lake trailhead are Valemount (30 minute’s drive) and Jasper in Alberta (1 hour).

There are moreover just a few reservable campsites at Mount Robson Provincial Park: Robson Meadows and Robson River campgrounds which have every tent spots and serviced campervan web sites accessible.

We spent the night at Valemount Trip Inn which had enormous cozy beds and spacious rooms.

Berg Lake path statistics

• Distance: 20.8 km a way (41.6km return)
• Berg Lake path problem: Common (few steeper sections nonetheless manageable)
• Size: 2+ days
• Elevation obtain: 1,161 metres 
• Trailhead: 2km up from Mount Robson Provincial Park buyer centre. Ought to stop on the company’ centre to check-in.
• Biggest time to go: July – early September

Reservations for Berg Lake

Given its recognition, it’s necessary to get a reservation sooner than you intend on mountaineering the trail. In precise truth, all campsites are 100% reservable between June 14th and September thirtieth.

Berg Lake path reservations open October 1st for the following season. The campsites e e book up shortly, so that you simply’ll should plan prematurely and keep your fingers crossed for good local weather on the Berg Lake path.

The Berg Lake path campsites are booked by way of Tenting.BCParks.ca It costs $6 (plus tax) per tent pad, per night as a lot as a most of $18 and plus $10 per particular person, per night for the backcountry tenting expenses.

Within the occasion you e e book over the phone there’s an additional $5 title centre value per reservation. You’ll be emailed a enable which you must carry with you to the shopper centre at Mount Robson and in addition you’ll be given a laminated enable tag to carry in your tent.

It’s important to note that groups cannot be bigger than 6 of us, and each tent pad solely comfortably fits one tent. Subsequently, you’re going to want 2 or 3 tent pads for a gaggle of 6 of us.

All hikers, whether or not or not day or multi-day hikers, ought to get a enable from the company’ centre and this can doubtless be checked sooner than you probably can drive the 2km up the freeway to the Berg Lake trailhead.

Within the occasion you’re passing by way of the realm and want to hike the trail nonetheless don’t have a enable or Berg Lake campground reservations, it’s worth stopping in on the shopper centre to see within the occasion that they’ve had any cancellations.

People cancel usually or don’t current up, and so you can be in luck (notably if the local weather isn’t good!). We had been able to get additional tent pads after we checked in for the hike.

Berg Lake path map

The Mount Robson Berg Lake path is successfully maintained, easy to adjust to path. There’s a great deal of signage and it’s onerous to go incorrect. The trail is successfully maintained with just some sections that include some clambering over roots/stones.

You gained’t desire a path map, however it’s a very good suggestion to have the route downloaded on AllTrails and maps of the alternative shut by hikes from Berg Lake do you have to plan on doing these, merely in case.

Berg Lake local weather

Regarding the local weather…Our group of six had been constantly checking the local weather forecast sooner than we started mountaineering. Some days it confirmed sunshine nonetheless principally it forecast rain and quite a few it.

There was moreover that time the place Google was forecasting 18 ranges C and snow?! In the long term, we realised it’s nearly inconceivable for any web page to predict the Berg Lake path local weather.

Mount Robson nearly has its private native climate and in addition you’ll uncover that the local weather modifications very shortly.

For that motive, you’ll want to be certain you pack warmth layers and waterproofs. The local weather in the midst of the primary week of July typically involved a few hours of rain throughout the morning whereas we had been having breakfast on the camp, adopted by clouds and sunshine for the rest of the day.

Given the faces of people we handed coming down the trail as we headed up, there had been quite a few rain solely a day or two sooner than.

Biggest time for Berg Lake, BC?

Top-of-the-line time to hike Berg Lake path is from July – late September. That’s when the trail is snow-free, you’ll get a great deal of daylight and the local weather is often greater.

July and August are most likely essentially the most reliable months weather-wise, and plenty of would argue they’re the perfect time to go to Berg Lake; they’re moreover the busiest though!

Moreover, it’s commonplace to get snow in early July, or in September.

Within the occasion you’re hoping to hike the Snowbird Cross path then keep in mind that it is closed until July 1st. We hiked the transfer merely after it had opened and whereas it was principally snow-free, it did have patches of snow the nearer we acquired to the very best.

How prolonged for Berg Lake path, Mount Robson?

Whereas some of us run the Berg Lake path or bike the Kinney Lake path then hike up and once more in sometime, most people will spend not lower than two days mountaineering Berg Lake.

We spent 3 nights on the Berg Lake path, starting mid-afternoon on a Thursday and ending late Sunday afternoon.

We stayed at Kinney, Berg Lake after which Marmot campsites. All of it’s dependent upon what you’re hoping to get out of it (and what variety of night’s tenting you’ve been able to e e book!).

Spending three nights on the trail meant we didn’t should rush and it gave us a full day to find a lot of the totally different trails throughout the area with 4 of us doing Snowbird Cross and the others mountaineering as a lot as Toboggan Falls.

I would advocate not lower than 2 days, and three if you happen to want to uncover totally different Mount Robson hikes.

Water on the Berg Lake path

Water is pretty ample on the Berg Lake path and in addition you’re certainly not too distant from a stream, river or lake.

There’s one half at kilometre 11 as you begin the climb to Emperor Falls the place it’s advisable you prime up your water as there’s about 4km the place you gained’t be succesful to replenish in some other case.

There are indicators to remind you of this as you hike.

Whereas the water appears to be super clear, you’re advisable to filter, boil or cope with your water sooner than consuming it. We bought Sawyer squeeze filters (one per couple) they often labored good for what we wished.

They’re pretty quick to filter the water and lightweight so didn’t take up loads space in our packs.

Berg Lake wildlife

There are numerous utterly totally different animals alongside the Berg Lake, Mount Robson path. Listed below are these we observed (along with a few birds too!).

Bears: Berg Lake is in bear nation so it’s important to carry bear spray and ideally to hike in a gaggle. Regardless of whether or not or not you’re in a gaggle or not, make some noise as you hike (dialog, banging just a few small rocks) notably in areas the place your odor or noise is maybe masked by the river or waterfalls.

We didn’t see any Berg Lake path bears and there hadn’t been any tales of any on the trail, nonetheless there are a few throughout the company’ centre. Refresh your bear safety information proper right here.

Porcupines: We observed a porcupine up by the Berg Lake shelter that seems to spend its time there. Don’t get too shut and gives it some space!

Mountain goats: Throughout the meadows on the Snowbird Cross path we observed pretty a few mountain goats and infants! This seems to be a popular spot to see them.

Hoary Marmot: There have been a substantial amount of marmots alongside the Snowbird Cross path and as well as a few between Marmot and Berg Lake campgrounds.

What to know sooner than mountaineering the Berg Lake Path, Mt Robson

There are a few tips and legal guidelines in place to protect the wonderful thing about the Berg Lake area. It’s important to respect these so of us can proceed to get pleasure from it for years to come back again.

• On a regular basis comply with Depart No Trace. Uncertain what that is? Right here’s a reminder.
• Canines are allowed on the trail on a leash nonetheless not in a single day. Chances are you’ll solely do a day hike if bringing your canine.
• Chances are you’ll bike the first 7km of the trail to Kinney Lake the place there is a bike rack (merely handed the campsite).
• Hammocks often should not permitted wherever on the trail.
• Fires often should not permitted wherever on the trail (moreover Whitehorn or Berg Lake shelters in emergency circumstances – firewood is equipped). You’ll desire a camp vary to organize dinner on.
• Chances are you’ll get an considered the Berg Lake path circumstances and Berg Lake path report sooner than you go. Or by finding out opinions on Alltrails.

Mt Robson Berg Lake path overview

Now for the perfect half! What Mt Robson mountaineering, the Berg Lake path, is unquestionably like. Proper right here’s a breakdown of our backpacking journey to Berg Lake.

The trailhead to Kinney Lake campground

The trailhead for Berg Lake is 2km up the freeway from the Mount Robson buyer centre the place you resolve up your yellow enable tag. There are just a few pit bogs proper right here with lavatory paper (the ultimate place that has lavatory paper on the trail!).

There’s just a bit placard on the far end of the car parking zone which has an introduction to the trail and in addition you’ll cross a bridge over the Robson River to begin the hike!

The first part of the trail as a lot as Kinney Lake (7km) is pretty easy. There are a few fast, manageable uphill sections nonetheless nothing too strenuous.

Within the occasion you’ve acquired a mountain bike you probably can actually cycle this part of the trail and depart your bike locked up on the bike racks near Kinney Lake campground. It’ll truly velocity points up on the return journey!

If you’ve crossed Kinney Lake Bridge, correct the place the lake meets the river you’ve acquired the selection to veer left and stroll alongside the shores of the lake which is good for scenic views. However, in the beginning of the season, or following quite a few rain, you is maybe strolling by way of puddles and/or mud as we had been! Alternatively, you probably can adjust to the trail straight on from the bridge for a additional direct, drier, route.

A pair additional kilometres from the bridge and in addition you’ll attain the campground. There’s an open-air shelter proper right here with some picnic benches, and 14 tent pads, most with superior views of the lake.

That’s the place we spent our first evening on the Berg Lake path.

Kinney Lake to Whitehorn Campground

To proceed on the trail adjust to the path out of Kinney Lake campground and take a bridge over a stream. The trail begins off good and flat and in addition you get the choice to each stroll by way of the flats or adjust to the first path by way of the forest.

I extraordinarily advocate strolling by way of the flats after the Kinney Lake hike as you’ll be strolling out throughout the open with very good mountain views.

There’s just a bit little little bit of a climb for 2km to face up above the flats and onto Whitehorn hill. In case you attain the very best there’s an enormous suspension bridge you can cross to get to the Whitehorn campsite which is just on the alternative side.

Whitehorn campground would make an unimaginable place to spend your first night as a result of it’s 11km in and is just sooner than the huge climb!

It’s a peaceful-looking campsite on the river banks and the tent pads are pretty hidden throughout the forest. There’s moreover a shelter with a fire for emergencies and a ranger cabin merely all through the river from the campground.

Whitehorn to Emperor Falls, Mount Robson

Are you ready?! That’s the huge climbing a part of the Berg Lake path. From Whitehorn campsite, you should have practically a kilometre of flat terrain and one different bridge to navigate then it’s time to sweat!

After the first few switchbacks, you’ll come to a viewpoint of White Falls which makes an unimaginable stopping place to catch your breath. You then positively’ll come all through the Falls of the Pool viewpoint and at last come out to a junction with a sign pointing barely downhill to your correct to the Emperor Falls viewpoint.

Undoubtedly go attempt the angle, it’s successfully worth seeing the roaring Emperor Falls from a bit nearer! Take your waterproofs as you’ll get moist from all the spray from the falls.

Returning to the first path, proceed on for about half a kilometre and in addition you’ll come to the Emperor Falls campground.

We stopped proper right here for lunch on the riverside after mountaineering from Kinney Lake that morning and the clouds even parted giving us a view of Mount Robson.

Emperor Falls campground to Marmot Campground

Rejoice since reaching Emperor Falls campground means you’ve carried out principally all the climbing!

Now you may get pleasure from a relatively flat path all the way in which by which to Berg Lake campsite. This doesn’t indicate the views are any a lot much less spectacular; if one thing they’re even greater!

You’ll cross a rockslide that’s very easy to walk on and doesn’t require any scrambling. Look as a lot as spot Mist glacier and take throughout the views of the river flats in your correct too.

As you not distant you’ll see Berg Lake with its beautiful blue coloration and as you attain the beginning of Berg Lake you’ll get to Marmot campground in your left which is an outstanding Mount Robson tenting spot.

There’s moreover a unbelievable view of Berg Glacier as a result of it drops down into the lake.

Marmot to Berg Lake Campground

From Marmot to Berg Lake it’s a simple 2km the place you’ll adjust to a path principally throughout the timber and some metres up from the lakeshore. There are some viewpoints every from time to time of the lake, Mist glacier and Berg Lake.

Sooner than you acknowledge it, you’ll attain Berg Lake campground! There are a few spots in your left in amongst the timber nonetheless carry on the first path do you have to’re headed further on, or want to attempt the alternative tent pads.

Berg Lake is an important campsite on the trail and there are tent pads sooner than the shelter, then a pair additional after the shelter once you’ve crossed over a bridge.

There are two additional campsites after Berg Lake campground; Rearguard campground and Robson Cross campground. Within the occasion you’re in quest of one factor quieter, nonetheless nonetheless want to be near Berg Lake, I’d advocate Marmot or Rearguard as good totally different selections to the Berg Lake campsite.

Further hikes from Berg Lake

Within the occasion you’ve booked an additional night on the Berg Lake path, you probably can each spend it gratifying lakeside with e e book (throughout which case attempt my favourite journey reads!). Or, you probably can go on a Berg Lake day hike which I’d extraordinarily advocate doing!

There are a few selections, nonetheless the one we did was the Snowbird Cross path. I’ve included some elementary particulars about each of the utterly totally different Mt Robson provincial park hikes beneath and there’s a full breakdown of mountaineering Snowbird Cross proper right here.

Hike to the foot of Robson Glacier

Within the occasion you didn’t see any ‘bergs in Berg Lake, it’s successfully worth mountaineering out to the foot (or toe) or Robson Glacier. There’s a Mount Robson lake proper right here which regularly has just a few icebergs floating in it, plus Robson glacier is way more spectacular than Berg Glacier. In precise truth, it’s an important glacier on Mount Robson!

The hike is usually flat and takes you to the far side of Berg Lake campground, earlier Rearguard campsite and over to the glacier following the beginning of the Snowbird Cross path. If you would like a view of the Robson glacier from bigger up, you are able to do the first part of the climb to Snowbird Cross.

• Distance: 6km
• Elevation obtain: 50m
• Size: 1.5 -2 hours
• Problem: easy

Snowbird Cross

Snowbird Cross is a full-day hike with quite a few elevation and exquisite environment and among the many best alongside the Berg Lake path Mount Robson.

Within the occasion you’ve acquired a day to spare it’s successfully worth doing for the views of the Robson glacier, the hike by way of some meadows and the final word climb as a lot because the transfer the place you’ll be wanting down into Alberta!

It’s not a simple hike and in addition you’ll should be successfully prepared for altering conditions. We even acquired snowed on on the prime of the Cross after we visited in early July!

Study all about mountaineering Snowbird Cross proper right here.

Observe: Snowbird Cross is closed until July 1st yearly.

• Distance: 24km loop
• Elevation obtain: 824m
• Size: 7-9 hours
• Problem: Strenuous

Mumm Basin

The Mumm Basin path at Berg Lake goes up from the Robson Cross campground and gives good views of Berg Lake and Rearguard and Robson mountains. Within the occasion you go to on the correct time you’ll endure an alpine meadow stuffed with wildflowers.

In the mean time you’ll have to try this as an out and once more path as part of the route is closed due to landslide train. There are a lot of indicators throughout the area to tell you at which degree you have to flip spherical.

• Distance: 7km loop
• Elevation obtain: 450m
• Size: 3.5-5 hours
• Problem: moderate-strenuous

Toboggan Falls and Hargreaves Lake

Toboggan Falls are a group of gorgeous falls that feed down into Berg Lake. This cheap hike gives you views of the falls, Berg Lake and there’s the selection to hike on further to attain Hargreaves Lake too.

• Distance: 7km loop or 10km as an out and once more
• Elevation obtain: 450m
• Size: 3.5-5 hours
• Problem: moderate-strenuous

Tenting on the Berg Lake path

Whereas Berg Lake campground would most probably nonetheless be my first resolve of campsites had been I to do the trail as soon as extra, I beloved our night at Marmot and Rearguard campsite regarded like an unimaginable spot too.

Campground facilities

Questioning what Berg Lake tenting is like? Proper right here’s a bit additional information on what to anticipate. Keep in mind, you’ll should make Berg Lake tenting reservations successfully prematurely.

Washrooms

Tenting on the Berg Lake path doesn’t embrace luxuries. Each of the campgrounds has a pit lavatory (with the larger campgrounds having a few), nonetheless you is perhaps required to hold your private lavatory paper.

Shelters and/or picnic tables

Among the many additional frequent campsites (Kinney, Whitehorn and Berg Lake) have shelters which will be utilized to shelter from the rain. At Kinney and Whitehorn these shelters and open-air; they’ve a roof, nonetheless no partitions.

At Berg Lake Mount Robson, the shelter is additional like a elementary cabin and has some card video video games leftover from totally different hikers.

We had been suggested the Berg Lake path shelters had been closed in 2020 nonetheless found this to not be the case.

Washing & wastewater

It’s important to solely do your washing on the washing stations equipped. These usually embody a sink area, with a bucket which you can replenish from certainly one of many shut by water sources.

The wastewater ought to then be poured onto the underside by the wastewater sign (usually close to the place you’ve washed up). At Berg Lake, the washing station has a pipe so that you simply don’t should empty the water individually.

If everyone put their wastewater into the lake it can shortly grow to be ruined, so please adjust to the ideas regarding this to keep up the realm beautiful.

Tent pads

Each Mount Robson provincial park tenting area has tent pads.

In some cases these are merely patches of grime with a picket border spherical them, in others, they’re raised picket platforms.

The tent pads are about 10ft x 10ft. Nevertheless, we noticed some seemed to be barely bigger or smaller than this in comply with.

When reserving your campsite, discover that while you may have 6 of us per group, each tent pad is simply meant for one tent.

So, if there are 6 of you, you’ll wish to order 2-3 tent pads. Chances are you’ll match 2 small two-person tents on one tent pad at a push however it’s a extremely tight match!

Bear lockers

Whereas on the Berg Lake path you’re mountaineering in bear territory. We didn’t see any nonetheless you is perhaps required to position all meals, cooking instruments and toiletries in a storage locker. The lockers are equipped at each campsite.

The perfect means to try this is to keep up your whole meals in a dry bag which you can merely put throughout the locker and take away as wished.

Within the occasion you’re leaving your campground for a day hike, have in mind to position your meals throughout the locker and don’t depart it in your tent.

What to pack for Berg Lake Canada

I’ve acquired a full packing guidelines for Berg Lake BC proper right here. The devices listed beneath are necessary backpacking devices for this journey.

• Tenting instruments: Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mats, meals & snacks, water, camp vary and gasoline
• Water filter/tablets: All of us used Sawyer water air air purifier, one per couple
• Bug spray: There are pretty a few bugs about on the campsites in summer season!
• Bear spray
• Toilet paper: Since not one of many outhouses might have it
• Hand sanitiser and masks (in case of rescue) are required

FAQs in regards to the Berg Lake path

Remaining Updated on March 9, 2023 by Hannah