Total Distance: 6 km
Return Time: 2.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 133 m
Difficulty: Easy
Region: Tombstone
Traditional Territory: THFN
A trip to Grizzly and Divide lake is not complete without making it to Talus Lake as well. At Talus Lake you will finally get to admire the view of the iconic Tombstone Mountain as well as another side of Mount Monolith. The route described here starts from the Divide Lake campground with a gradual ascent over Tombstone Pass with stunning views of the Cloudy and Tombstone ranges on opposite sides of the valley. This hike can be completed as a day hike from Divide Lake if you're tired of carrying a heavy pack.
This hike starts from the Divide Lake campground.
Note: The distances and times noted here are one way.
From the campground, head west following the trail to the end of the tent pads. The trail continues above the lake and up to a small pass (Tombstone Pass elevation 1,542 m).
There is a relatively well-marked trail with cairns most of the way, but it does disappear occasionally. Keep to the left of the small lake after the pass and continue along the left edge of the valley. Yellow flagging markers appear when you get closer to the Talus Lake campground.
There are many beautiful alpine cirques with picturesque lakes along the way which you can explore. As you get closer and closer to Talus Lake, the view of Tombstone Mountain gets better and better.
After 6.2 km you will reach Talus Lake. The campground has the same facilities as Grizzly and Divide lakes, with ten tent pads, an outhouse, a cooking shelter, grey water barrel and bear proof lockers for food. There are many options for exploring once settled at the campground. All campers are required to register and pick up a permit from the Tombstone Park Interpretive Centre. Registration can be done online through the parks website or in person at the centre.
The trail heads west out of the Divide Lake campground.
The view of Mount Frank Rae, part of the Cloudy Range, is the highest peak in Tombstone Territorial Park.
After reaching Tombstone Pass, the views begin to open up and Tombstone Mountain comes into view.
Talus Lake is an easy day hike from Divide Lake. It feels great to leave the heavy packs behind and enjoy the trail and the views.
Picking up the hiking trail close to the Talus Lake campground, with Mount Monolith in the background.
Arriving at the Talus Lake campground.
Soak up the views of Talus Lake and the beautiful granite walls around Mount Monolith.
Take a side trip to one of the alpine cirques along the east side of the valley.
Andreas Lazda August 15, 2015
Did this as a day hike from Divide Lake on July 27, 2015. It started as a very rainy day (having had a thunder&hail storm the night before!) and didn't really clear up until after we were already on oru way back to Divide - but still got some partial views of the section of Mt Monolith around Talus Lake and the adjacent valley (bought a copy of the poster on display at the Information Centre as a compromise :)
On the way back to Divide Lake, rather than descending to the Divide campsite right away, instead climbed up to the ridge of visible across from it. Got some great views of the surroundings, before heading back to camp. Very easy, with minimal bushwacking through a slightly wet section in the valley bottom. Managed to get back just as the next rain shower started!