Lake McArthur hike

Starting at the Le Relais Day Shelter, head into the forest uphill coming to a junction where you can choose to go straight and pass the ACC Elizabeth Parker Hut or go left into the Big Larch Trail. We prefer to head past the ACC Hut, which sits in a beautiful meadow. The hut is wonderful, but access inside is only granted to ACC members with reservations.

From here take the well-maintained trail, eventually reaching Schaffer Lake. Walk around the lake and make sure you don’t take the All Souls Route (off to the left). Continue on the right side of the fork and travel through a wonderful boulder field and into alpine meadows. There will also be a path veering off for Odaray Highline trail to the right.

Continue uphill to McArthur Pass, where the trail forks. Both trails go to Lake McArthur, and we typically go up on the Low Level Trail and back down via the McArthur Highline Trail to create a circuit. As you come down to the water, savor the incredible blue of Lake McArthur below you. Continue down to the lake and explore the region for yourself. On a nice day, this is a wonderful break spot.

Continue on your path forming a circuit back to the trail junction. From here, travel back to Schaffer Lake, where you can retrace your route up or else go down via the Big Larch Trail. The Big Larch Trail isn’t as scenic as the route you ascended, but is wonderful in autumn as the colors change. You reconnect with the main trail just above Le Relais.