For most of our winters, the Isobel Lake Road can be snowed in, so hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers  have to trek 2.5 km along the road, but there is an alternative.   A trail cut a few decades ago linked McQueen Lake to Isobel Lake.   It was built by the BC Forest Service and was called the Forestry Capital Trail.   There were interpretative posts along the way and students could hike or ski over and back as part of a day trip from the Overnight Center.   The trail is still there, but there are no signs to show the trailhead.  Go 240m east  from the McQueen Lake entrance and find a place to park (or walk over).   The trail leads up the hill on the left.   We recently stomped it in, but a snowmobile had also run over the trail so it may be obvious if it continues to be used.  It is a good 1.8 km hike/ski/snowshoe to the western corner of Isobel Lake.

The trail climbs over an open ridge, then continues through the forest, but the route is easy to follow if a track has been set.

As the trail approaches Isobel Lake, there are new trail signs designed for snowshoers and fat-tire mountain bikes.   Maybe the road will be kept clear this year?   The main trail circles Isobel Lake with lots of viewpoints along the way.

In late Novermber the lake was frozen over but snowshoers should not test the ice until mid-winter.

For novices, the trail around the lake is perfect for introductory hiking or snowshoeing.  A three-year project undertaken by the Kamloops Thompson Trails Alliance working with local clubs and businesses is now complete.   There is a low-mobility trail all the way around the lake with benches, signage, a dock, etc.

Isobel Lake is a great destination to visit if the road can be driven, but if not, the Forestry Capital Trail would add an extra 3.5 km to the outing.

Note:

The mountain bike community has established some fat bike trails in the area (using some of the old skid tracks and seldom-used hiking trails).   The Forestry Capital Trail at that end has been called Beers a’ Waiting and the trail by the lake is called Hairy Backside (Why can’t that community use more polite and area-relevant names?)   There are also some new single track trails through the forest.