Tundra Lake Backpacking Adventure: A Journey into Wilderness (August 2-5, 2024)

Day 0: August 2 (Friday) – The Journey Began

Our adventure kicked off on a Friday afternoon as we left home, eager to escape into the wilderness. Our destination for the night was Driftwood Bay of Lillooet Lake, where we set up camp. The drive was smooth, and the anticipation of the journey ahead made the evening feel serene and full of promise. Lillooet Lake provided a peaceful backdrop, the perfect place to rest before the demanding hike ahead.

Day 1: August 3 – Lizzie Creek Cabin (15KM, 1470M Elevation Gain)

We started our hike at 8:30 am from the trailhead, ready to tackle the first leg of our journey. The trail led us through varied terrain, a mix of dry and firm ground with stretches of head-high alders that tested our perseverance. Despite the challenges, the trail was incredibly rewarding, offering breathtaking views at every turn.

By midday, we reached Lizzie Lake, a stunning spot with several campsites equipped with tables, benches, and fire rings. While the amenities were a welcome sight, the outhouse left much to be desired—its lack of a roof or door and a faulty toilet lid added an element of urgency to our pit stop!

From Lizzie Lake, the trail took us up a rooty sidehill climb towards Lizzie Creek Cabin. As we passed through the aptly named “gates of Shangri-La,” the scenery became nothing short of spectacular. The descent through the boulder field was challenging, but the views made it worthwhile. The final stretch to the cabin meandered alongside a creek through wet meadows, a tranquil end to a demanding day.

Day 2: August 4 – Tundra Lake Expedition (20KM, 1400M Elevation Gain)

We set out early at 8 am, with Tundra Lake as our goal for the day. The hike was arduous, pushing us to our limits, but the pristine beauty of the alpine landscape fueled our spirits. The trail beyond Lizzie Creek Cabin was more rugged, with sub-alpine marshy areas and steep boulder climbs that tested our resolve.

After a long ascent, we reached Arrowhead Lake, a stunning but exposed area that, while beautiful, was not ideal for camping. Instead, we pushed on towards Heart Lake, which offered a better camping spot with a more sheltered environment. From Heart Lake, passing Iceberg Lake and Caltha Lake, we finally embarked on a side hike to Tundra Lake, traversing more challenging terrain with increasingly difficult trail markers.

Upon reaching Tundra Lake, the cobalt, dark-blue metallic-like color of the water  and the surrounding peaks were nothing short of awe-inspiring. It was a moment of pure wilderness bliss, a reward for the hard miles we had put in. After soaking in the beauty of Tundra Lake, we began our descent back to Lizzie Creek Cabin, arriving just before nightfall, exhausted but exhilarated.

Day 3: August 5 – The Return Journey (15KM, 1470M Elevation Loss)

We left Lizzie Creek Cabin at 8:30 am, ready to make our way back to the trailhead and home. The return hike, though long, felt easier as the trail gradually became less challenging. The scenery was just as breathtaking on the way out, offering a final chance to soak in the beauty of the area.

Despite the bugs, overgrown sections, and occasional muddy patches, the hike out was enjoyable. The sense of accomplishment from completing such a challenging and remote trek made every step lighter.

Final Thoughts:

The Tundra Lake area is a hidden gem, offering spectacular scenery, solitude, and a true wilderness experience. While the hike is demanding, it’s incredibly rewarding, providing a sense of adventure that is hard to find elsewhere. This trip is perfect for experienced hikers looking for a challenge and the chance to explore a less-traveled path. Just be sure to bring plenty of bug spray and be prepared for some tough terrain. This area, with its alternative objectives and breathtaking vistas, easily rivals the Rockies—without the crowds.

紫湖背包旅行冒险：荒野之旅（2024 年 8 月 2 日至 5 日）

第 0 天：8 月 2 日（星期五）——旅程开始

我们的冒险之旅始于星期五下午，我们离开家，渴望逃入荒野。我们当晚的目的地是利卢埃特湖的漂流木湾，我们在那里扎营。一路上行车很顺利，对前方旅程的期待让夜晚显得宁静而充满希望。利卢埃特湖提供了宁静的背景，是开始艰难徒步旅行之前休息的完美场所。

第 1 天：8 月 3 日（星期六）——Lizzie Creek 小屋（15 公里，海拔 1470 米）

我们从早上 8:30 开始徒步旅行，从步道出发，准备开始旅程的第一段。这条小路带领我们穿越各种地形，既有干燥的地面，也有坚实的地面，还有一头高的桤木，考验着我们的毅力。 尽管充满挑战，但这条小径还是非常值得一游，每个转弯处都有令人惊叹的美景。

中午时分，我们到达了丽齐湖，这是一个令人惊叹的地方，有几处配备桌子、长凳和篝火圈的露营地。虽然设施令人欣喜，但户外厕所却有很多不足之处——没有屋顶或门，马桶盖也有问题，这让我们的休息时间显得有些紧迫！

从丽齐湖出发，沿着小径爬上一条布满树根的山坡，前往丽齐溪小屋。当我们穿过名副其实的香格里拉之门时，景色变得无比壮观。穿过巨石场的下山路很有挑战性，但景色让这一切都值得。通往小屋的最后一段路蜿蜒穿过湿草地，沿着一条小溪蜿蜒而行，为紧张的一天画上了一个宁静的句号。

第 2 天：8 月 4 日 （星期天）紫湖探险（20 公里，海拔 1400 米）

我们早上 8 点出发，紫湖是我们当天的目标。徒步非常艰苦，逼迫我们到达极限，但高山景观的原始美景激发了我们的精神。Lizzie Creek Cabin 后面的路径更加崎岖，有亚高山沼泽地区和陡峭的巨石攀登，考验着我们的决心。

经过长时间的攀登，我们到达了箭头湖，这是一个美丽但暴露的区域，虽然美丽，但并不适合露营。相反，我们继续向心湖前进，那里提供了一个更好的露营地点，环境也更加隐蔽。从心湖出发，经过冰山湖和卡萨湖，我们终于开始了前往紫湖的侧行徒步，穿越更具挑战性的地形，路标也越来越难找。

到达紫湖后，钴蓝色、深蓝色的金属色水和周围的山峰令人惊叹不已。这是纯粹的荒野幸福时刻，是对我们辛苦跋涉的回报。在欣赏完紫湖的美景后，我们开始下山返回 Lizzie Creek Cabin，在夜幕降临前到达，虽然筋疲力尽，但兴奋不已。

第三天：8 月 5 日 （星期一） 返程（15 公里，海拔下降 1470 米）

我们于上午 8:30 离开 Lizzie Creek Cabin，准备返回步道起点和家。回程虽然很长，但感觉更轻松，因为步道逐渐变得不那么具有挑战性。出去的路上风景同样令人叹为观止，让我们最后一次有机会沉浸在该地区的美景中。

尽管有虫子、杂草丛生的路段和偶尔的泥泞地带，但这次徒步旅行还是很愉快的。 完成如此具有挑战性和偏远的徒步旅行所带来的成就感使每一步都变得轻松。

最后的想法：

紫湖地区是一颗隐藏的宝石，提供壮观的风景、孤独和真正的荒野体验。虽然徒步旅行很费力，但它却非常值得，提供了一种在其他地方很难找到的冒险感。这次旅行非常适合寻求挑战和探索人迹罕至的道路的经验丰富的徒步旅行者。一定要带上足够的杀虫剂，并为一些艰难的地形做好准备。这个地区有其他目标和令人惊叹的景色，很容易与落基山脉相媲美——而且没有那么多人。

(紫湖， 英文名为Tundra Lake, 位于温哥华北部Pemberton 镇的郊外。紫湖湖面宽阔绵长，在阳光的照耀下如同一幅紫色的锦缎，显得神秘而高贵。Tundra 在地质上的意思是苔原地貌，在冬天被冰雪覆盖，而夏天，苔原被沼泽，湖泊和溪流所覆盖。由于含有特殊的矿物质，Tundra lake 在太阳下呈现出紫色的湖水，非常独特。所以，Tundra Lake的意思是苔原湖)