September 2024
Welsh Lakes Recreation Site located in British Columbia 1-2 hours drive from Invermere. The hike is 5.5km to 4.5 km and about 500m gain from the upper lot. You are rewarded by stunning blue lakes, mountain peaks and many pikas.
How to Get to The Trailhead
Drive to Invermere. From the main street turn right on Panorama Drive. Turn right on Westside Road, signs for Wilmer. Drive though Wilmer staying on Westside Road. Turn left onto Horse Thief Forest Service Road. At the Y turn Right on to Forester Creek Forest Service Road. Turn left at the Welsh Lakes Recreation Site sign.
Most of the road is gravel. At the end of the Forester Creek FSR there are many potholes and ruts. It does get narrow. At the recreation site there is a lower lot, the last 1.5km is extremely ROUGH. There are rocks sticking out, many ruts, potholes. The road is very narrow only allowing 1 car through. It is very steep and on a cliff. There is lots of sand and wash out. You need 4X4. We had a Toyota Tacoma and drove SLOW.
There is also chicken wire provided at the top lot for porcupines that like to chew.
the Hike
From the lower lot the hike is about 5.5km and from the upper lot it is 4km and a 500m gain. The first half of the hike is on an old service road through the forest beside Welsh creek. The last half is exposed on a boulder field with cairns and flagging to guide you. It is HOT on the boulder field, ensure you have adequate hydration.
The Campsite
On the Lower Welsh Lakes the trail association has set up about 10 tent pads. Most of the tent pads are on the water or have a view. However there is one or two right next to the eating area which would not be ideal. There is a grey water disposal, food storage bin, two picnic tables, fire pit and an open air toilet. The picnic tables are large and spacious. The open air toilet is somewhat private. At time of writing the campground is free, however we did make a donation to the the Summit Trail Association. Around the campsite there were many Pikas running around which was very entertaining to watch. The sunsets quickly and does not hit the campsite again until late morning due to the proximity to the surrounding mountain peaks.
Day Hikes from the Campsite
From the campsite there are several day hikes you can do. There are the Upper and Middle Welsh Lakes, which we decided to save for next time. We chose to do Aberystwyth Lake. It took us 2 hours round trip. You follow the sign for the lake and follow the cairns up another rock pile to another beautiful lake. The view of Lower Welsh Lake is stunning. If your into scrambling peaks, it looked like some of the peaks surrounding would also be easy to do.
Side Notes
We did drive from Calgary to Welsh Lakes. We left around 8 AM and got to the lake around 4:30-5PM. We did stay in Invermere post hike as it would be a long drive for 1 night but it is doable.
The lake is very cold, but makes for a great polar dip.
The QR code to pay the trail association is in the register box at the trailhead, don’t forget to sign the register for their numbers.
MadMountainMegan 
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