51. Galatea Lakes

Distance: 17km return
Elevation gain: 575 m

This is a popular hike in Kananaskis and we have done it before but Herm was curious about the flood damage of 2013 to the campground and bridges. So Wednesday, June 22, we set out for another lovely hike together.
     The trail to the swinging bridge was still good but soon we saw gravel, washed out trail and a beautiful new bridge.

Around a bend we came to another bridge; there are about 8 bridges crossing Galatea creek on the way to Lillian Lake.

The trail was often on needles and tree roots but frequently we had to travel over flood damage.

After a few hours, we arrived at the trail to Guinn Pass and recalled what a long wonderful hike that had been. A steep climb and we were at Lillian Lake for lunch.

The backpackers campground behind us was still closed because most sites were covered with gravel. The biffy looked new, was very clean and aerated with a solar powered fan. Each user was requested to add a handful of bulk shavings to aid in the composting process. I hope to see more of this technology in the mountains soon.

There were beautiful wild flowers all along the trail but especially lovely were the glacier lilies.

Lillian Lake looked much more spectacular from above where we could see it surrounded by trees and mountains.

After a good climb through trees, open rock and across snow patches we saw the first Galatea Lake.

What a beautiful sight. The water changed colour with the sky but was usually a dull grayish hue with unspectacular reflections. We looked for the trail around the lake to continue on. It went halfway around the first lake partway up the scree and then we lost it. So we found our own way further and went through the notch at the back to hopefully find the next lake.

Here we are, at our goal and well pleased with the lovely little lake nestled in the surrounding mountains. As we sat and enjoyed the view and ate our cherries, snow broke off the cornice up above across the lake and entertained us with its' noise and fall.

I couldn't stand and pose on a peak so I went to feel the water, too cold for more than that.