This aquamarine alpine lake is the largest in the park. The trail offers one of the few non-mountaineering adventures in Bugaboo PP. It can be a long day hike or better yet, the first day of a 3-4 day backpacking trip.
Location: Bugaboo Provincial Park, north side.
Difficulty: C2
Elevation gain: 3000’ to ridge then descend 500’ to lake
Key elevations: TH 5100’; Ridge 2469m (8100’); Cobalt Lake 2317m (7600’)
Distance: 6km one-way to lake
Time: 3-4 hours one-way
Access: Any vehicle
Season: mid-July to mid-September.
Maps: 82K/10 Howser Creek and 82K/15 Bugaboo Creek
Drive: From Radium, drive 26km northwest on Hwy 95 to Brisco. Turn left (west).
0.0 Start of signed road to Bugaboo Provincial Park. Follow the main road across the Columbia River.
4.7km Up a steep bumpy section
6.8km 4-way intersection with Westside road: Continue straight.
17.5km Turn right. (left goes to Cartwright Lakes)
22.3km Go straight. (right goes to Driftwood River)
38.2km Bugaboo Falls FS Recreation Site. Camping and hike to waterfalls.
45km Turn right for Bugaboo PP and trails. (left goes to Chalice Creek). Don’t park at the CMH Lodge. Park 1.5km further along the service road.
46.5 Parking for hikes. Porcupines!
Trail/Route: From the parking area, backtrack down the road 1km to the TH. Turn left (NW) up start up the switchbacks gaining 2700’ (823m) on a good trail through forest and burned area.
After about 3 hours, arrive at a pass and alpine ridge (called Grizzly Ridge) with views down and west to Cobalt Lake. Choose between a steep side hill cross-country descent to the outlet of the lake or a hike on the trail.
The trail continues on the ridge for 1.5 km to Vowell-Cobalt Pass and the route to the lake.
What to do?
1. Climb Northpost Spire 2910m 9550’. A good scramble up the east ridge and face. Brenta Spire is a rock climb.
2. Camp here for several days and just hang out.
3. Continue around the lake and go over Brenta Spire Pass.
