Chester Lake, Elephant Rocks and the 3 Lakes Valley
Chester Lake, Elephant Rocks and the 3 Lakes Valley Distance: 5.5 km to Lake, add ~3 km to 3 Lakes Valley Elevation: 300 m to Lake, add ~300 m to Upper 3 Lakes Valley Directions: Starting form the Chester Lake Parking lot on the Smith-Dorrien Road, |
Hiking: The walk to the lake is 5.5 km. and approximately 300 m gain in altitude. This trail starts as an old wagon road, after almost immediately crossing the recently flood ravaged creek after leaving the parking lot, pick up the road slightly upstream. Chester Lake is a great destination either for a picnic, taking pictures, and it is also a popular fishing hole. Just keep a good luck out for bears and make lots of noise, this area is known to be very popular with the local Grizzly Bear Population!
If you are feeling adventurous and wish to continue on with the hike to the 3 Lakes Valley, at the lake follow the path around the left side to reach an obvious path ascending between trees to the amazing Elephant Rocks. Follow the obvious trail out of the meadow and head up to the first of the three lakes. The trail now ascends steeply on the left side of the lake across slopes littered with fossils. Once you are finished the fossil hunt a short walk through amazing rocks leads to a few mountain lakes, small waterfalls and beautiful streams. Other Hikes Nearby: Burstall Pass, Buller Pass, Warspite Lake |