Description

Cathedral Park is an expanse of jagged mountain peaks, azure lakes, and flower-dappled alpine meadows.

The core area of the park sits above 2,000m and has more than 30km of hiking trails. The popular Rim Trail follows the ridge above Cathedral Lakes, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Unique geological features, including Stone City, Smokey the Bear, the Giant Cleft and Devil’s Woodpile, are another highlight.

Depending upon party composition there may be an opportunity to scramble on Mt Grimface among others (bring a scrambling partner, helmet, harness, slings a few chocks & light rope – if interested).

 

The high open ridges along the Rim Trail also offer a variety traverses, chances to photo the local mountain goats and capture images of the golden larches as well.

It is about a 5 hour (400km) drive to the basecamp/bridge/parking area at Cathedral Provincial Park.  Carpooling recommended.  There is room for up to 3 passengers in my vehicle.

A one hour Shuttle Bus ride ($168 per person return) provides access to the core area of the Park.  Participants must book their own Shuttle Ride in and out.   The group will target a 4 pm arrival ride into the Core area of Park on Monday October 5th (be @ basecamp by 3:30 pm), and plan for a shuttle out at 9 am Friday Oct 9th).   The Shuttle bus baggage limit is 2 bags per person.

 

Campers booking shuttle transportation:

(a deposit of about $50 per person is charged to your card on registration, the balance on travel into the Park).

(Booking procedure may be neither quick nor straight forward …have patience)

Go to https://www.cathedrallakes.ca/camper-services 

Please go to select room type, scroll down to camper transportation. Choose desired dates on the check in – check out calendar and then select your Number of Guests per Cabin or Room.  Click search, click book now, then click complete booking add your transportation to your cart. You will be able to select your pickup / drop off times once you have completed booking with your payment.

If you have any questions or need help with booking online, please email us at [email protected] we will be happy to help.

 

Cathedral Park reopens – June 2026 update

All trails impacted by the 2024 fire have now been assessed, cleared, and are open. Please be aware that there will likely be significantly more windfall than normal on the trails for a number of years to come, and it will take longer for BC Parks to have them cleared.

Backcountry camping registration is available at Quiniscoe Lake campground only. I have reserved spaces for 4 people

(3 spaces left), additional spaces if needed, can be booked at camping.bcparks.ca.

 

Itinerary

Oct 5           leave Van about 7 am.  Drive to Cathedral Provincial Park,

Assemble at Cathedral Lake Lodge Basecamp 3:30 for Shuttle ride in leaving 4 pm

Oct 6           early 8 am start for those wishing to head for Grimface Scramble

Oct 7           Day Hikes towards & in vicinity of LakeView Mountain

Oct 8           Day Hikes along Rim Trail

Oct 9           Catch 9 am Shuttle bus down basecamp.  Drive home

 

 

 

 

Hazards

Tree (Wind) fall, Rock fall and Ice fall

Risks

Please be aware that there will likely be significantly more windfall than normal on the trails for a number of years to come, and it will take longer for BC Parks to have them cleared.

Rock fall and icefall can be caused by natural forces (like forest fires) or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. scrambling/hiking).  Bring adequate hiking footwear, hiking poles and micro spikes

Communication and Rescue

Risks

Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Bring sat phone, Inreach or similar, FRS radios, adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field

If an Injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow

Terrain

Risks

Cornices | Crevasses | Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps | Cliffs | Creeks | Rocks and Boulders Forest fire damaged roads and adjacent terrain| Variable and unstable road conditions due to forest fire damage |Shuttle bus roads and road ranks | Fences and other man-made structures | Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects | Loss of balance or control | Becoming lost or separated from the group | Slips, trips, and falls|

Animal Encounters

Risks

Mountain Goats, Bears and Cattle   Cathedral Provincial Park and adjacent protected area is home to a number of Mountain Goat herds | Encounters with domestic and wild animals.

General Hazard

Risks

Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor| Equipment failure| Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact| Negligence of other persons, including other guests| Negligent first aid| Negligence of the guide Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities|

Required Items

Tent, Sleeping Bag, meals & snacks cooking paraphernalia (meals & clothing for 3 + 2 x ½ days)

Hiking; Footwear, hiking poles, micro spikes,

Scrambling; (partner, helmet, harness, slings, chocks, small rope)

Recommended Items

No Cell phone reception in the Park

 

Bring Sat phone, Inreach, Zoleo or similar, consider FRS for intergroup communications