Welsh Lake Trails (Radium Hot Springs)

Site Description: Welsh Lake Trail: This is a popular, fairly steep, summer hiking trail to scenic lakes and alpine routes. Elevation gain: 675m Hiking distance: 6km The picturesque turquoise alpine lakes lie below the Irish peaks to the east and the Welsh Peaks to the west. Much of the upper portion of trail travels over rock and scree slopes. Watch for small rock cairns and grubbed route above the western banks of Welsh Creek. Beyond the first lake the trail is indistinct. Welsh Lakes (Ski zone) Advanced touring in alpine lake basins that starts from km 36 on the unploughed Forster Creek Forest Service Road. Trail grooming for snowmobiling along the main road is coordinated by the Windermere Valley Snowmobile Society.

Driving Directions: Driving time: 1.5 hours from Invermere or Radium Hot Springs. Follow the Horsethief Forest Service Road from Radium Hot Springs (take the Forsters Landing Road west of town). At the 9 km mark a 4-corner junction is crossed. South will lead you to Invermere. Stay west along the Horsethief FSR. Turn right at the 14 km mark onto the Forster Creek Forest Service road. Pass the Radium water intake, stay left at the 18.8 km mark. At the 36 km mark turn off the main road and park. From here a 4WD high clearance vehicle can drive to the upper parking area and trailhead 1.5 km further. The trail follows an old logging roadway for the first 2 km.