Finally got the opportunity to make the hike to very hidden Elsay lake over the back of Seymour Mountain. A 6 to 7 hour round trip  (16km) it feels a little like a reverse-hike where the first period is spent descending from the summit of Seymour and then skirting around the peak of Mount Elsay to get to the lake tucked away about 8 km from the original starting point.

Descending the back of Seymour Mountain

Not the trail, but a perfectly straight dried up river bed.

You arrive on the south of the lake, looking north, with the hut located another 0.5km and the other end. Almost there.

The arrival point and first glance is on the south side of Elsay Lake, looking north.

When finally arriving at Elsay lake, it’s surrounded by the magnificent tree-line Seymour range, which also means that by 4pm the lake is in the shadows. All the more of a reason to head off early in the morning and get there for midday.

Looking west over Elsay Lake as the sun begins to go down

The somewhat muddy best point of entry for a dip in Elsay Lake…

A view from the deck of the cabin overlooking Elsay Lake. Time for a spot of fishing.

The cabin at Elsay lake is one of the huts in lower BC that is in better condition. Not particularly big, but with a good space at the front for additional tents. Time to take the boots off, let the feet breathe and enjoy a spot of fishing. In fact, Chad caught a rainbow trout!

The stunning Elsay Lake from the Mountain Hut

Elsay lake from the trail that follows the shoreline

A lost lake mid way along the trail to Elsay Lake – it has no name

The route back home is etched into the side of the cliff below Mount Seymour