Monday 8/10/2018 Chester Lake
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Alberta, CANADA
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Beth Davies
This out and back forested trail leads to an alpine meadow and lake (Chester Lake) below Mount Chester. Wildlife encounters can include bears, birds and rabbits. This is a year round maintained trail which would be a pleasant cross country ski during the colder months. In sections the trail is segregated for skiers. It is accessed via the trailhead on the Smith Dorrien / Spray Lakes road.
Max elevation: 1765 m
Total climbing: 770 m
Total descent: -770 m
Average speed: 4.49 km/h
Total time: 03:48:32
We started out on the snow covered trail with light snow flurries falling. The maintained track was hard packed but a little slippery in places. Snow hung heavily from the branches of the pine trees which contrasted with the fall orange foliage of the larch trees. It was perfect weather for walking as we made our way up the forested trail. A ground dwelling bird greeted us and luckily we saw none of the bears who frequent this area. We had our bear spray handy just in case!
Heading towards Chester lake
We soon reached an open meadow surrounded by towering peaks. Here, we met some skiers coming in the opposite direction who indicated it would be easier walking further ahead. We stopped for a short lunch at Chester Lake which was partially frozen. Our return downhill journey was faster than our ascent.
This is a relatively easy walk, with the lake accessed in about one hour.
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