The Cirque of Tarns route is a challenging route up to a hidden spot on the north side of Raft Mountain.   The final destination is perfect.   We wanted to set up our tent right then and there, and camp at the side of the high tarn across from the glacier, beneath the summit of Raft Mountain.

But the way up to the cirque is difficult.   The trailhead is on the road that goes between the Trophy Range and Raft Mountain.   Take the Trophy Mountain Road for 4.3km, but instead of going left, continue on to the right following the valley to the 13.6km point.     Watch for a BC Parks sign on the right.   The trail starts at the sign, above the creek.   This is Caligata Lake Provincial Park, a small backcountry lake with surrounding meadows, forests, and slopes.   The first challenge is route-finding and wet feet.   The “trail” crosses a wet meadow, with some flagging tape and some boards which can be followed as you approach Caligata Lake.   Cotton grass was in bloom through this section.   To pick up the trail at the edge of the forest, stay to the west above the lake and veer upward southwest watching for blue spots on balsam trees.  Flagging tape can be seen now and then, but the next kilometer is overgrown and deadfall forces hikers into detours.   It is easy to get off track and be forced to fight your way through the bush.   Flowers and mosquitoes were abundant.   Progress is slow, but with some perseverance, the route emerges into a semi-open creek valley.    From this point on, there is no trail.    Follow the valley to its height, climbing first a steep green headwall, then an alpine pass westward to the top of the pass.    From this divide, Crystal Lake can be seen in the drainage below to the west.

Crystal Lake	Caligata Lake from the East Trophies

The route to the Cirque of Tarns is up the steep slope and gully to the south, a route on heather, rock and snow.   At the top of this climb is a small tarn at the foot of a snowfield.   Two more tarns can be found on the shelf to the east.   The Trophy Mountains dominate the north skyline behind Spahats Hill.  

One more climb is needed, following a narrow gully south.   At the top is the largest tarn within a cirque on the north side of Raft 2.    A glacier lines the north slope of the cirque.   A small rocky meadow sits on the north side of the tarn.   This is a high and barren spot.   A few stunted trees sit above the tarn, heather grows where it can find a foothold, and the hardiest wildflowers emerge for a short period in the summer.

The route is only 3.5 km  from the trailhead to the top, but the trail is difficult to follow.   The route was overgrown and criss-crossed with deadfall for the first half.   The second half is steep and trackless.    We found the whole north slope environment wet and buggy until we reached the alpine.    

Would we return to this hike?  We would, but we would wait for the first frost to lessen the mosquitoes.   We would also scramble to the top of Spahats Hill for an added side hike.    We might even bring out tent next time.