Finally! A post that happened reasonably close to the time the hike took place!

Last weekend we were planning to head to Brew Hut and Brew Lake for a summer trip, but the weather turned poor. At the last minute, I identified Lindeman & Greendrop Lakes near Chilliwhack as an alternative.

As always, the links:

• BC Parks page (for Chilliwhack Lake Area)
• Vancouver Trails on Lindeman Lake section
• ClubTread page – and source of my waypoints
• The map I made (thanks CalTopo! KML, GPX and PDF downloads available)

The trail starts out level as you enter the forest but then hits you with 300m elevation gain, then you realize it’s coastal rain forest and start to sweat. One thing watch out for deceptive trail markers. We were following them and went in the wrong direction a few times, do not assume you should pass beside it in the same direction, look for the next marker and the one after it.

After about 30 minutes of climbing we reached Lindeman Lake. There are campsites and bear caches here, and it’s more popular with day hikers. You can proceed round the Northern side of the lake (your left) and cross your first boulder field. Then it’s a walkway and some creek scrambling.

You have some more boulder fields ahead. Watch your footing. There are forest sections too and some undulation, but most of the uphill is done. We headed through the forest (again keep an eye on your trail markers) until eventually the sign for Flora Lake comes up. Head past it in the North-Easterly direction (Greendrop is not on the signpost) for another 500m (perhaps 1km). Eventually you’ll see the forest clear and the bear cache/toilet sign to your right. You’ve made it.

There are 2 campsites at Greendrop. The first has two pads and a lot of space (good for larger groups) but not a lake view. If you head round on the Southern side of the lake (to your right) you’ll find a second one, this time just one pad but there is easily room for two tents, perhaps more, and a better lake view. We set up there.

That evening we chilled out and caught up (been a while since I’ve done an overnighter with our usual group) and I discovered I had forgotten a fork in my hurry. My new Kelty Cosmic Down 41 was just right! Well worth the $150 for a summer bag.

The next morning we headed up the Southern side of the lake for a bit. It looks like a path but it becomes clear it’s overgrown and involves a lot of climbing. We turned back as we didn’t think it was passable.

On the way past the first campsite we had to do some cleaning up as the group before us had left, among other things, glass jars of died Krill! Annoying we had to carry it out for them honestly. Clean up after yourselves!

Then it was back to the cars and I had to go off and do a few Chilliwhack jobs.

Well worth it and a great random find!