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Welcome to Islandhikes Hiking Page. Below is a " Topo/Image Map", along with a GPS route of the route.

Colbalt Lake Route in Winter


5hrs return

     Date: April 23 2006

Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter Colbalt Lake Route in Winter 5040 Peak standard route Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation Trailhead Colbalt Lake Colbalt Winter Steeper Variation 5040 Peak, Marion Mainline 5040 Peak, Marion Mainline 5040 Peak, Marion Mainline 5040 Peak, Marion Mainline 5040 Peak, Marion Mainline 5040 Peak, Marion Mainline 5040 Peak, Marion Mainline

Weather: Sunny, Mild
Wind:Calm
Difficulties: Easy/Moderate

   Many years ago I had ventured up the steeper route towards Cobalt Lake which followed the creek draw south of the new route. The route is do-able summer and winter but has a few scary sections when climbing through the cliff bands, making this route not so enjoyable for the average hiker. During winter and spring of 2005/2006 the local hiking club AVOC flagged a new route up the main creek which drains from Cobalt Lake. The trail is now well flagged and a worn path has started to form so finding the route up to the lake can be done by keeping a sharp eye out for the next pink flag or small rock cairn. Once at the Lake head left (North) and follow up a gentle ridge which leads to the big open bowl just below the main peak. There are a number of ways on reaching the summit. The one I choose ended up being the best with the least amount of expose and loose rock. This was to veer up and across to the left side of the main summit before hiking up the steep vegetative gully to the top. The views from this summit offer some of the best vista on the island, well worth the trip

   How to get To 5040/Colbolt Lake Trail Head"     Drive Out of Port Alberni travel West on Hwy 4 for 46kms turn left of onto Marion Main Line. Stay on mainline and drive up to the end of the Marion Ck watershed to a Pass which then heads down the Effingham watershed roughly 9kms. Drive another 300m down keep a look out for a small pull off just past a wooden bridge. If you pass km10 you have gone too far. There was some pink ribbon marking the trailhead which first starts off heading up into the slash towards the Old Growth.

Trail head GPS UTM Zone 10 Easting 332164.0 Northing 5450327.7

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Cheers: Quagger

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