Date: August 12, 2023
Location: Fernie, British Columbia, Canada
Total Trip Distance: 5.52 mi / 8.88 km Total Elevation Gain: 2,092 ft / 638 m
Trip Duration: 2 hours 48 min
Team: With Alex Catalfamo
Field Notes: A straightforward loop from Island Lake Lodge with beautiful views of the Lizard Range and the northern Ranges. Makes for a great training hike or short day hike.
Rating: Class 1
Mount Baldy Loop
Alex and I decided to take it easier on Saturday as we wanted to save Sunday for an ascent of the true Mount Fernie. Being that we had never been to Island Lake Lodge, we figured it was a good day to go check it out. We made the twenty or so minute drive from our house in Fernie to the end of the road where the lodge sits. Once at the parking lot, there are hiking trails in all directions.
Our route started directly from the parking lot. It was another gorgeous day for hiking, weather in the mid seventies and some clouds to add context to the skies. We set a casual pace and were on the summit in about eighty minutes or so. I thought the views would be blocked by trees, but as you can see from the photos, the views were actually stunning.
There are two view points on the trail. The first is when you reach the ridge there is a picnic table. You can see the actual summit from here, just another hundred feet higher. We walked up to the summit to check it out, but found the views better from the bench. Either way, not a major difference. I will admit, part of the reason I wanted to head up Baldy was to scope out our potential scramble route up True Mount Fernie for tomorrow...
This was a super enjoyable day and the views were better than I had originally thought. Definitely a worthwhile short day hike or a good training day for some vert.
Happy days...
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