AZURE LAKE
TRAIL REPORTS
MAPS
PHOTOS
AZURE LAKE
TRAIL DESCRIPTION
The trail is 6.5 km one way and has an elevation gain of 683 metres.
Follow the trail from the trailhead sign a short distance to the first creek crossing where there is a log and cable bridge across Francis Creek. At 2.2 kms the trail reaches the second creek crossing, the outflow creek from Azure Lake where there is a log and cable bridge. At approximately 4 km you leave the forest to cross a scree slope, then pass a small pond to reach a steep headwall. Follow the switchback trail up the headwall.After the headwall the trail climbs consistently up through meadows to reach the upper lake at about the 6 km point. Follow the path around the edge of the lake for about 1/2 km to a lunch spot. From here you can follow the outflow creek from the upper lake to the lower lake. There is no trail for this last part and it is not included in the distances but it is only a couple hundred metres.
TRAIL MAP
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Follow West Side Road north to the 41.5 km marker. Green RSTBC sign for Maclean Lake Trail.
Turn west onto the the Lead Queen Mine road. Follow this road to a Y junction.
Take the left branch at the junction, this is the Francis Creek FSR. Follow this road to the trailhead at any Y junctions always take the left hand fork. Follow signage for Maclean Lake Trail.
After 15 km driving distance from West Side road you reach the shared trailhead for Maclean Lake and Azure Lake trails. The Azure lake parking area is to the left. There is a green sign on a post that says Azure Lake Trail.
Total driving time from Invermere is about 1.5 hours maybe a little less, the road is in good shape.
TRAIL REPORTS
Azure Lake August 2023
The road has been closed since July 6, 2022 by the Rocky Mountain District Office, so no maintenance has been done on the trail since that date. As well there has been no road maintenance since the flood, so we advise drivers to use caution when driving the FSR road to Azure Lake. The last year unofficial reports mention lots of trees across the trail and 3 wasp nests. This year’s trail maintenance has been delayed by the extreme fire situation that BC has been experiencing this summer.
TRAIL PHOTOS
