Caligata Lake
Caligata Lake Provincial Park is a remote area in the upper Spahats Creek Valley. The lake lies in a small cirque basin at the foot of one of the outlier peaks of Raft Mountain.
To get to this park, drive up the Trophy Mountain Road for 4.2 km then stay right and follow the Spahats Creek Road for another 9.3km. Watch for a BC Parks sign on the right.
The Cirque of Tarns trail goes high up into the alpine into a cirque just below the summits of Raft Mountain.
The trail gets into a wet meadow quickly but it is the easiest way into Caligata Lake. Follow the trail into an open meadow, then bear left over to the lake. In the fall, I was able to keep my feet somewhat dry, but hikers will have wet feet in spring and much of the summer.
Wildflowers bloom in the meadows in late spring and early summer, but the mosquitoes start early in June too. Fall colors help with a nice photo and the feet will stay drier too. Alternately, wear waterproof boots for the short hike in.
This is not a destination hike, but combined with a hike into Silvertip Falls back down the road offers a nice day of exploration in a remote valley.
- Caligata Lake Provincial Park
- trailhead – N51 44.913 W119 50.342