By Jasper Moedt (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: May 22, 2013
Spring is in full swing, the weather is warming, sunny skies are (hopefully) on the horizon and British Columbians everywhere are shedding their umbrellas and ponchos to take advantage of our beautiful wilderness playground.
For my first outdoor experience this year I made the trek up to Lindeman Lake in the Chilliwack River Valley.
After a little over an hour’s drive from UFV’s Abbotsford campus I found myself on the edge of an old logging-turned-recreational-use road. The trailhead is marked with a worn down sign that says “Post Creek, Lindeman, Greendrop, and Flora Lakes.” The entrance to the trail will also have other hikers cars parked alongside the entrance, so don’t worry about missing the markings!
As I began my hike I quickly realized that my runners were in for a wet and slippery hike as there was still a significant amount of snow on the ground (my expedition took place in early April, so the snow has since melted).
Initially the trail is a wide gravel path that takes a fairly level route, but after a few minutes of walking on this more luxurious pathway, the trail turns and becomes a narrower, steeper route.
After roughly 45 minutes of following this narrow pathway across boulder fields, along the sides of steep slopes and over log bridges, I found myself in the entranceway to a beautiful mountainside campground alongside a snow-covered lake. This campground is beautifully situated on the side of a gradual mountain slope, with tent pads built out of plywood for a potential camper’s convenience.
Any hiker that has been to Lindeman knows that the main draw of this hike is the beautiful aqua-blue hue of the lake alongside the sandy beach area.
Unfortunately for me I had come too early. The annual spring thaw had not yet taken place and the lake was still frozen and covered in snow. Even the well-advertised beach area was coated with winter’s blessing. Not missing an opportunity to expose my disappointment, my hiking partner pointed out that the lake is truly beautiful when it isn’t covered in snow! Despite the wintery covering, the raw natural beauty of the area was clear to see.
Needless to say I will be making a return hike to Lindeman Lake sometime this summer to see the complete, snow-and-ice-free spectacle with my own eyes.
This trail is a great day trip that takes about two hours of intermediate-level hiking up and down. During the summer months a day at the beach at the top of the trail would make a great day trip, or if you were feeling really up for an adventure Lindeman Lake would serve as a great overnight campsite!
