Diana Lake - August 23, 2024

17.91 km - 934 elevation gain - 7.43 km. - 7.75 hours 

We began the trip by using Google to get to the trailhead, getting lost, and leaving Conrad and Theresa waiting for an hour at the trailhead. That said, they quickly forgave us. The trail begins along the Pinnacle Creek and then climbs steadily through a Douglas Fir and Cedar forest above the creek only to meet it again at the bottom of an avalanche slope. Pippa floated in a pool while we all stopped for a drink and rest and admired the neon glow of the fireweed with the Purcells in the background. 

After an approximate 700 metre elevation gain, we emerged in an alpine meadow scattered with scraggly larch that look amazing in the fall. The memory makes me this travelling across the world to walk through mountains may not be so necessary when we have these amazing vistas right on a doorstep. (With a little effort obviously.) 

We stopped for lunch at a bench in memory of someone next to Diana Lake with the majestic Mount Norman as a backdrop. The ridge from the mountain runs all the way to the Judge, a mountain that was to our backs as we sat on the bench creating a kind of box canyon of the valley. After lunch and a stop at the tea house, we would climb the ridge for a view of the valley beyond. (Spectacular)

At the tea house, Nicola and I had a pitcher of ice tea and split a ginger cookie and Teresa and Conrad shared a pitcher of lemonade while enjoying the views of the mountains that surrounded us. The lodge lady strongly suggested that we climb the ridge that provided very worthwhile because, as I said, the views of the valley beyond were spectacular.