In mid-November we hiked from the McQueen Lake area to Isobel Lake, then around the lake, and back on the same trail, a 5.5 km hike on the snow.   My usual route for this hike was along the former Forestry Capital Trail (now called Beers-a-Waiting by mountain bikers) but with recent snowfall there was not much parking for a group of hikers so we went farther along the Isobel Lake Road to a spot with several parking spaces for the Grasslands Community Trail.   We followed the Down Draught Trail which had no tracks on it, but it was a well-established trail that we could follow all the way to the junction with the main trail to the west end of Isobel Lake.

The trails around Isobel Lake were covered in snow but easy to hike.   We stopped at the shelter for tea and enjoyed the lakeside views.

There are a number of viewpoints, benches, and fishing spots on the shores of the lake thanks to BC Rec Sites and Trails, the Kamloops Thompson Trails Alliance, and various supporters.   the lakeshore is marshy and mostly unspoiled.

We hike with grandchildren in the summer and we snowshoe the trails in winter.   In spring we paddle the lake to watch the waterfowl and new growth.

We hiked the route on a mild day and stopped at all the viewpoints on the lake loop.

In November the ice is thin and where there is no snow cover, the sky is reflected back on the thin ice crust.

We completed the hike then returned the way we came, along the Down Draught Trail to the Isobel Lake Road near Griffin Lake.

More Information:

• Isobel Lake Trails