Travelling to this cache involves a 32km roundtrip with an elevation gain of approximately 900m from the Elk Pass parking lot in Alberta. Mountain bikes are permitted on the forest road to Elk Pass, shortening the hiking portion of the trip to 22km. If approaching from the Elk Lakes parking lot on the BC side, the hike is around 19km roundtrip with approximately 600m of elevation gain.
A map of the trail network in Elk Lakes Provincial Park can be found here: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/elk_lk/upper_lower_elk_lakes.pdf
This is a long and demanding hike in a very remote area. Make sure to bring enough food and water, warm clothing and especially bear spray. I recommend taking this trip from August on to avoid high water levels. All of the hike is along well established trails, but the 2013 flood has damaged the following sections:
- A washed out slope 200 m before Upper Elk Lake. The trail has slid into the river below. Previous hikers have stomped an alternate trail into the scree above the slide. Use caution.
- The bridge across the river flowing from the Upper Elk Lake is missing. The water is fast and deeper than it looks - when fording on this dry August day, it came up to my hips. Use poles and your best judgment. Don't attempt this in early summer or during periods of high water.
- BC Parks website states that the trail between Lower and Upper Elk Lake is damaged as well. There are washed out trail sections and possibly another ford. I didn't use that trail and can't comment on its condition. This only affects you if you are approaching the cache from the Elk Lakes parking lot on the BC side.
- A 1km trail section behind Upper Elk Lake (West end) is affected by seasonal flooding. This section may require route finding or be impassable during high water. This did not affect me at the beginning of August.
- A short section of the trail at the West end of the flood plain has been washed out. The route has been marked with pink flagging and shouldn't be too hard to find.
- The river has rerouted itself and a collection of small streams is now running through the campground. The trail through that section has turned into a stream as well. There is some flagging and I took waypoints as well to help you stay on the route.
- Once the trail heads north away from the river and up to the falls, everything is still in place.
The reward for your efforts is an amazing location that not many have visited - and you will remember forever! Enjoy!