Mount Robson Adventure Part 4
We are leaving Whitehorn campground and have 11 kilometres to go before we reach the trailhead.
Saturday August 26, 2017
We had a long way to go today; not only 11 km off the mountain to the trail head, but all the way home to Calgary on the highway. So we got up at 6 AM, Calgary time, 5 AM, local time, broke camp, and had breakfast while most in the campground were still asleep in their tents. Then we were off across the big suspension bridge across the Robson River and down the trail.
The trail was well-maintained, which made for easy walking. Initially it led us through a forest where the ground was carpeted with moss and other low green plants. After several kilometres, we had our first view of Kinney Lake. The Robson River once again formed a huge alluvial gravel fan before it reached the lake.
Just before we reached the lake, we crossed the Robson on a “one man” bridge, one of many Robson River crossings we made on the Berg Lake trail. Then we followed the lake shore, although often at some distance from it, to the Kinney Lake campground.
We took a break on a nice lakeside bench at the Kinney Lake campground. Then we moved on to the end of the lake where there was a picnic table and a small day use area. Here we took another well-deserved break. Along the way, there were some beautiful reflections of the mountains in the calm lake.
We went on, and soon crossed the Robson River again. We descended for quite some time on river right, and for part of this time were in a luxuriant forest of large cedar and hemlock trees. This growth was unusual for this part of British Columbia, and apparently due to a microclimate created here by the huge bulk of Mount Robson.
As we descended down the trail, we met more and more day hikers. They seemed to be from all parts of the world. Mount Robson Provincial Park appeared to be an international destination.
Eventually the majestic cedar and hemlock forest gave way to a less impressive non-descript forest, and then we were over the Robson River for the last time on a bridge wide enough for cars. In the very congested parking lot, we found a spot for lunch at some picnic tables. Then it was down the road to a nearby gas station for a fill-up. While there, I looked up and there was Mount Robson towering over us, almost free of clouds. Sometimes the best views are from the highway.
Thus ended our trip to Mount Robson. Soon we were on the highway back to Calgary.
Kinney Lake was a wonderful turquoise colour due to glacial silt.
Another Robson River crossing, this time just below Kinney Lake.
