Although it is possible to snowshoe in any higher elevation area in perfect conditions, the reality is that we need good road access, a place to park, a route that can be followed without getting lost, and a stomped in or packed route, if possible.   Finding a scenic location is a bonus, but there are not many routes available that do it all.   Quite often, we are just looking for a trek in the woods away from any kind of motorized traffic.   The Melba Lake area is one of those areas.

It is a heavily logged area, but many of the cutblocks have been cleaned up and replanted with young pines.   Some of the cutblocks are newer so traversing across them is not as advisable since fallen trees have not yet been collected for controlled burns.   If you see a cutblock that has young trees poking up, it will be a good area to cross.

The Melba Lake area is accessed from the Logan Lake Road, 1.1 km from the junction with the Coquihalla.   The signed Melba Forest Service Road (at N50 29.127 W120 33.549) is on the north (right) side of the road.   Turn here and either park, or go 0.35 km up the road and park at the junction of two roads (at N50 29.232 W120 38.732).

Cutblocks, snow, and forest

The trek is up the right fork.  Continue on snowshoes up the double track for 1.25 km to a junction of roads (at N50 39.821 W120 33.324) in a cutblock at 4600 feet.  This spot is only 0.35 km south of Melba Lake.   We set a track across the lake, wading through thigh-deep snow.   Most snowshoers, though, will follow the left fork up the hill for another 3.5 km (one way), or the more level right fork for 2km (one way).   It is also possible to continue on the right fork up the Walloper Creek drainage to Lodgepole Lake, but there will be some route-finding to  complete this.   It is relatively simple to take either fork for a total of 6.5 to 9 km, all on backroad double tracks.  Follow your own tracks back to the vehicle.

The Melba Lake area is another snowshoe option, but the scenery is unremarkable, mostly forest and a lot of cutblocks.   On the other hand, you will be unlikely to see anyone on a day of snowshoeing in the high country.

A brief stop on Melba Lake