Elk River Trail (to Landslide lake)

Park: Strathcona Provincial Park, Gold River

11.0 km one way.

Terrain: Intermediate

Elevations (in meters)

Start End Minimum Maximum Gain

320 905 320 905 585

Elk River Trailhead: (340 km from Saanich Hall). Take highway #1 north from Victoria to Nanaimo where it becomes BC#19, continue north to Campbell River where you turn west onto BC#28 (to Gold River). 1 km past the parking area at the Strathcona Park entrance turn west towards Gold River across the bridge at the head of Buttle Lake. The trail is about 24 km past the bridge on the left hand side of the road.

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Campsite (2 sites)
Toilets and/or outhouses

There is a very unofficial campsite at the trailhead, on the other side of the hill (see trail description for the Elk River Trail) are some nicer (still unofficial) spots near the river, about 1/2 hour hike in.

Uses

Backpack	Easy to moderate.	2 days round trip.	Best from mid May thru late October.
Cross-country ski	Advanced.
Dayhike	4 boot (moderate to strenuous).	11 hours round trip.	Best from mid May thru late October.
Mountain climbing	Unrated.

Description

The trail begins by ascending a 100m hill in a series of a dozen or so switchbacks, descending to the river on the other side in about 9 switchbacks and then gradually ascends to a good campsite (6km,490m) between Volcano (5.5km) and Butterworth Creeks (6.5km) (not after Butterworth Creek as indicated on the Parks map). The trial then starts gaining elevation at a greater rate although still not to steeply. After crossing several more streams, including some lovely waterfalls, you come to a second campsite on a gravel bar (9km). Continuing on the trail crosses the river and ascends the washout area (10km, approx 600m) from the 1946 landslide which gave the lake its name. Here the trail is marked with rock cairns, it follows up the washout to the base of the falls and then heads in an easterly direction, and climbs the final 300m in 1km to the lake. Some very minor hand holds are in this portion.

It is possible to get around to Iceberg Lake at the base of Mt Cornel Foster, proceed down to the lake and then make you way around toward the mountain. Look for some flagging in the bushy area just up from the lake. Follow this rough, flagged route, not up to BC Parks standards, around (it goes down to the lake a few times at first and then contours about 25-30m above the shore). A few avalanche slopes are crossed, extreme caution is required in the spring. After about 30-40 minutes you come out to a stream flowing down a series of cascades at the far end of the lake, walk up the stream bed and then onto the scree to the snowfield which is otherwise hidden from view. Note: The distance to the snowfield (about 2km one way) and the time required are not included in the distance/time estimates for this as a hike.

On the return journey the trail can be hard to follow on the road (north) side of Volcano Creek, it remains high to the west of the river. The numerous paths in this area come from people using this area as an unofficial campsite. With the opening of the Butterworth campsite hopefully this situation will improve.

If cross-country skiing beware that there are several severe avalanche slopes north of Butterworth Creek.

Features

This trail features birds (Varied thrush), flowers (Columbine, Fireweed and Indian paintbrush), forests (Arbutuus, Douglas fir and Western red cedar), lakes, mountains, rivers, shrubs (Bunchberry dogwood), views and waterfalls.

Hazards

some waterways must be crossed via rock hops, these can be slippery and caution should be exercised when making such crossings

Numerous rock-hops, early in season may encounter may downed logs which must be scrambled over or around. There are often bears in this area, take appropriate precautions (see our bear information page). Beware of crossing the snow in the avalanche paths, it may be underminded by streams.

Comments

The climb of Mt Colonel Foster is rated as 5.6 (I think).

For trail conditions check the BC Parks information page for Strathcona Park.

Campsites along the trail

Elk River Trailhead	0.0 km	315 meters	Garbage facilities Outhouse	Water is unknown.
Butterworth Creek	Approx6.0 km	485 meters	Bear cache/wire Outhouse	Water is plentiful quality is excellent. Treat all water before use.
Elk River Gravel Bar	Approx9.0 km	680 meters	Bear cache/wire Outhouse	Water is plentiful quality is excellent. Treat all water

Water

Plentiful from the numerous streams which intersect the trail or from the Elk River which the trail follows. Treat all water before drinking.

View trail condition reports for this trail.