Akamina Ridge

Tue 13th Sept. Second of the triple crown hikes today. Firstly we drove to Cameron Lake and picked up the bikes that we left there yesterday. Today's hike started about 1 km back up the road from Cameron Lake. About 2 kms in you come to a "Welcome to British Columbia" sign as the hike is in their territory. And shortly after that you branch of to the left to take the track to Forum Lake. After the lake the track starts zig zagging up, going past some good bushes of Huckleberries. The track then came up to a Pass, where you could see over to Wall Lake. From there it was scrambling/rockclimbing up to the top of the Ridge between the two lakes. The temperature was definitely lower up there, with a cold wind blowing, so it was time for another layer or two. The track then continues along up and down the Ridge for about 5 kms. The views would had been superb especially looking towards Glacier National Park in USA but the haze again made the mountains very indistinct. Coming down the ridge, we missed a turning which was marked by a small cairn, and carried on straight - on a still distinguish path, but about 300m on it didn't feel right, but there was still a track going down so we hesitantly continued, after about another 300 m the track stopped (I think we were illegal immigrants in America now), and decided to backtracked, and eventually found the right track going down by the cairn. On our little side excursion to America we did see fresh sign of bear activity but didn't sight any. So once on the right track, it was downwards to Wall Lake, and then a fairly flattish walk out to the intersection with Forum Lake track, and then back down to the van. Hike stats: 20 km, 5 hr 14, elevation gain 1181 m, highest altitude 2569 m. Steps D 31005 / V 33514.Read more