Trip 292 - August 11, 2023 (Friday)

Flora Lake Trail Hike

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park near Chilliwack, BC

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Directions to Flora Lake Trailhead from Vancouver: 90.5 km via Highway 1 East (Grandview Hwy entrance to Hwy 1) to Exit 119 (Yale Rd / Vedder Rd) in Chilliwack. Then, 5.5 km on Vedder Road to Chilliwack Lake Road. Then, 40 km on Chilliwack Lake Road to the trailhead parking lot.

Liked: Views of Chilliwack Lake and surrounding mountains, Flora Lake, shade in the forest, several fine forest scenes, very few bugs.

Of Note: Moderately difficult trail (to Flora Lake), uneven ground, rocks and roots, hiking poles are recommended. Flora Lake loop (should you choose to hike it) is substantially more difficult due to five boulder fields – hiking poles and boots are essential.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Backroad Mapbook (2019 edition) Trailhead Coordinates: Page 5 (Chilliwack Lake) F5.

103 Hikes in Southwestern British Columbia (2008 edition): hike #75.

Other Trips in or near Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park: Greendrop Lake Trail, Chilliwack Lake Forest Service Road, Radium Lake Trail, Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park.

Other Trips in Chilliwack Area: Williams Ridge Trail, Mount Thom Lookout Loop Trail, Vedder Rotary Loop Trail, Teapot Hill Trail Hike, Chilliwack Dyke Trail, Mount Cheam Peak Trail, Ling Lake Trail Hike (off Chilliwack Foley FSR), Chilliwack Foley FSR, Chilliwack Bench FSR, Elk-Thurston Trail, Slesse Memorial Trail, Downtown Chilliwack BC Visit, Minter Gardens, Town of Agassiz BC, Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park.

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Flora Lake Trail is located near Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park at the end of Chilliwack Lake Road, 40 km from Chilliwack, and shares the parking lot and the trailhead with a much more popular Lindeman Lake / Greendrop Lake Trail. Thus, if you are interested in a less crowded camping experience, head to Flora Lake, and, chances are, you'll get one. There are two tent pads there, a bear cache, and even an open air toilet.

In addition to camping by Flora Lake, the main attraction of this trail are excellent views of Chilliwack Lake and the surrounding mountains. As Flora Lake Trail is substantially more challenging (and longer) than Lindeman/Greendrop hike, it is also much less crowded.

After the initial climb with views of Chilliwack Lake, the trail drops to Flora Lake. To get back you can either retrace your steps, or, if you are ready for more challenging hiking with five rather uncomplicated (but, nonetheless) boulder fields to cross, complete the loop by taking a connector trail to Lindeman/Greendrop Trail, and then take that trail back to the parking lot.

As Flora Lake is hardly "spectacular," unless you want to camp there or simply a fan of hiking (or want to visit Greendrop and Lindeman lakes for one big hike as opposed to two smaller ones), getting to the best Chilliwack Lake views and heading back will save you a lot of time. It is about 4 km to Chilliwack Lake views, then 3 more km to Flora Lake, then either 7 km back to the parking lot the same way you came, or close to 10 km to the parking lot via the loop trail.

* All hiking distances are based on a GPS odometer and are approximate.

36. Flora Lake Trail at 5.86 km.

Flora Lake Trail

37. By 6.07 km, we are back in the woods. It's not very steep, but the elevation loss is substantial.

Flora Lake Hike

38. Interesting trees around here.

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

39-40. Cool windfall at the 6.86 km mark of Flora Lake Trail. Looking from both sides.

Flora Lake Hike in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

41. Finally, Flora Lake arrives 7 kilometers from the trailhead. Coordinates: N 49⁰06.598’ W 121⁰24.881’. Elevation: 1,400 meters.

Flora Lake Tent Pad

42. There are two tent pads, a bear cache, and an open air toilet. The lake is ok, but definitely not a hiking destination, unless you want to camp here, or just like to hike.

Flora Lake Camping near Chilliwack British Columbia

43. Flora Lake.

Flora Lake

Here is our video of the views from this location.

More ihikebc videos are on our YouTube Channel.

44. Beware of boxing bears.

Be Bear Aware Sign

45. We then continued on the connector trail to Greendrop Lake / Lindeman Lake Trail. It's a substantially tougher trail due to the need to cross five boulder fields, which are not terribly complicated, but, nonetheless.

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park Hiking

46. At the 120 meter mark of the connector trail we are hiking along the lake, but away from the shore.

British Columbia Hiking - Flora Lake Trail

47. The first boulder field arrives at the 400 meter mark of the connector trail.

Flora Lake Trail Boulder Field

48. Looking left.

Boulder Field Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

49. Looking back at the 650 meter mark. Flora Lake is about 800 meters long.

Flora Lake British Columbia Canada

50. Back into the forest.

Flora Lake Trail Forest

51. Another boulder field at the 810 meter mark of the connector trail.

Hike in British Columbia - Flora Lake Trail

52. A good view at 1.13 km of the trail.

Boulder Field Trail on Flora Lake Trail in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

53. Boulder field - forest - boulder field - forest.

Flora Lake Trail Hike in British Columbia Canada

54. Guess what. Another boulder field. At 1.50 km here.

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park Flora Lake Trail

55. At 1.80 km, there is a rather long (80 meters) muddy stretch. Could be quite a swamp early in the season of after a heavy rainfall.

Flora Lake Trail Muddy Stretch

56. The fans of boulder fields would feel right at home. One more at 1.95 km.

Boulder field Flora Lake Trail

57. At 2.07 km, we are back in the woods.

Flora Lake Hiking Trail

58. Then, there is a rather steep descent for a while. At 3.50 km of the connector trail here.

Flora Lake Trail British Columbia Canada

59. Cross the dry (today, anyway) creek bed at 4.30 km...

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

60...and Greendrop Lake / Lindeman Lake Trail is right there. Turn right to reach Greendrop Lake in 700 meters, or turn left and get to the parking lot via Lindeman Lake in 5.3 km. It's much easier hiking now, though still with a few mildly challenging spots.

61. A warning from BC Parks.

62. Finally, the wildlife we met during this hike includes: a) a garter snake...

Garter snake

63...and b) a chipmunk.

Chipmunk

Flora Lake Trail features great views of Chilliwack Lake, and is highly recommended up to that point. Beyond that, this trail is good for the fans of camping, hiking, and boulder fields.