Numa Creek Campground to Floe Lake Trailhead trail information. 3. Floe Lake campground is wonderful and is located on the north side of Floe Lake; a warden campground lies just to the west of the campground. Access to the Rockwall backpacking route from Numa Falls is expected to be restored in summer 2021. Snow can remain on some trails well into the summer. This trail leads to the Numa Creek backcountry campground and is a middle access point for the popular Rockwall multiday backpacking route. Floe Lake looked majestic with its blue waters, icebergs and cliffs all around. We left for Numa Pass from the north end of the campground. Backpacking Great! To book or learn more, call 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783), or reserve online. Parks Canada does not book sites at Floe Lake campground until July 10. Floe Lake, East Kootenay G, BC, Canada . Length: 30 km (round-trip) Hike 10.7 kms up a steep and unrelenting trail from the parking lot through burned forest. The lake is only accessible by a 10.7 km hiking trail that leaves from a marked trailhead on highway 93. If backpacking, the first two campsites you encounter are by far the best. Suitable for those with little or no trail experience. Tell a reliable person where you are going, when you will be back, and who to call if you do not return: Parks Canada Dispatch – 403-762-1470. Finally, when the trail arrived at the Floe Lake Campground, I found a spur trail that led me down to a picnic area by the lakeshore. Start early and bring plenty of water, this hike can get very hot as you are going through a burn area with little to no shade. Trailhead: Paint Pots parking lot, 84 east of Radium Hot Springs. Amazing trail with amazing views. The initial portion of the trail is shared with the Helmet / Ochre Junction trail. Steep slopes that are snow covered have the potential to avalanche. There is a backcountry campground at the lake as well as a Warden's cabin staffed by Parks Canada. The Rockwall Trail in British Columbia’s Kootenay National Park is widely considered to be one of the premier multiday treks found anywhere. Floe Lake – Numa Creek Parking Lot, July 16, 2011. This trail takes in three backcountry campgrounds on the northern portion of the popular Rockwall Trail, multi-day backpacking route. The trail to Floe Lake in Kootenay National Park is a 21-km roundtrip hike to a stunning alpine lake with massive mountain views. There are four access points to the Rockwall Trail along Highway 93 South: Recommended time of year to hike this trail: Mid-July to early October. Tim Knapp. Alternatively, a 4 hour day hike. The Rockwall trail is a multi-day hike along the limestone cliff eastern escarpment of the Vermilion Range that continues into the Yoho National Park. Suitable only for those with trail experience. Your fees support the ongoing maintenance of campgrounds, trails and other backcountry facilities. Once the Numa Creek Bridge is open, you could camp at Numa Creek Campground for a 2nd night, and make a weekend circuit on this route. Tumbling Creek Campground . Hiking time: 3-4 days Leave what you find —it is the law. Numa Creek trail remains closed for trail and bridge repair work. The Floe Lake Trail is 19.3 kilometer (12 mi) long, with 959 m (3,146 ft) of elevation gain. Pack light but bring something dry to change into when you reach camp. Description: One of the finest backpacking routes in the Canadian Rockies, featuring high passes and the famous “Rockwall”. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is best used from June until October. Description: An abridged loop version of the Rockwall Trail with its famous high meadows. 51.1955, -116.30503. Well worth the time and effort! The Floe Lake fishing map contains information about some of the best fishing spots this lake has to offer as well as the nearby cottages, campgrounds, and bait and tackle shops. Numa Pass itself is broad and treeless and there are many small peaks/bumps nearby that are worth exploring and ascending. Trailhead: Paint Pots parking lot, 84 km east of Radium Hot Springs. December 29, 2020. Five campsites are found along the way, each deserving a night to visit, and there are rangers cabins at Helmet Falls, Floe Lake, and near the junction towards Wolverine Pass. 58 likes. Simply the most beautiful trail in the fall when the larches turn. Flat to gently rolling with no obstacles. Demand is highest in July and August, book early to avoid disappointment. Reservations for the 2021 summer season begin on April 16, 2021 at 8 am Mountain Time. Trailhead: Vermilion Crossing parking lot 64 km east of Radium Hot Springs. Cooking area at Floe Lake – separate from where you pitch tents Surface water may be contaminated and unsafe for drinking. Good backpacking destination for beginners. Beautiful Floe Lake itself is located at the bottom of a massive 1000m sheer rock face. You'll start on a flat stretch, crossing two rivers (w/ bridges) before switchbacking up through burnt stands of timber. Hiking time: 2 days Bring your own water. Hiking time: 2-3 days (round-trip) Hiking and camping in the backcountry allows you to explore further, and appreciate the beauty and wilderness of the park. Reservations for overnight stays in the backcountry that are not entirely at designated campgrounds must still be made by contacting a Parks Canada Visitor Centre. It is one of the northernmost access points to the popular Rockwall multiday backpacking route. This was our first backcountry camping trip in the Canadian Rockies. You can camp right at Icefloe Lake, a primitive camping area with no pit toilets, fire rings or anything. Dispose of human waste at least 100 m from any water source. We chose to use the Tumbling Creek site as a base camp to explore further afield, rather than lugging our gear along the entire time. September 25, 2020. Backcountry campgrounds in the Shadow and Egypt Lake areas of Banff National Park are also accessible from Kootenay National Park via the Verdant Creek trail. Making a reservation in advance, as opposed to same day permits, are recommended to avoid disappointment. This is a list of items common to many backcountry packing lists. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and be well-prepared for their visit. Mountain weather changes quickly and it can snow any month of the year. After crossing Floe Creek (bridged) and ascending moderately the trail turns to the southwest, contouring around the southern side of Numa Mountain and gently ascending alongside Floe Creek. Even short trips can have serious consequences. This day hike leads to the Helmet / Ochre Junction backcountry campground. Habitat: Forested trail with lush ground cover leading to a river. Floe Lake. Habitat: A forested, creekside trail opening into prominent avalanche paths. Five are located along the Rockwall Trail, while the sixth is on the Verdant Creek Trail. Initially, the Floe Lake trail heads southwest, crosses the bridged Kootenay River, then curves to the northwest. Elevation: 50 m Daylight. No matter how many photographs I take, I know I won't be able to capture the essence of being there. The trail to Floe Lake starts at – where else – the Floe Lake trailhead, just off highway 93S. However, if you want to see larches, almost all the larches lie just north of the campground, on the path that goes to Numa Pass. Minimize your risk by planning ahead. We could not have picked a better destination than Floe Lake and doing a loop is always fun. 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