Hike: Lindeman Lake

:: Lindeman Lake Trail ::
 :: Chilliwack :: 2ish Hours :: 3.4k :: Elevation Gain 300m ::
May 9, 2015

Lindeman has been a place I've wanted to visit for a long time. Pictures I've previously seen were incredible and I knew I had to experience it for myself. I was glad when the girls agreed that this should be our next trip.
This hike saw the purchase of my new hiking day pack. I was so excited to get it and it even has a camel pack insert. After spending the previous day making protein energy bites, I was needless to say excited. After packing up the dogs and getting the three of us in the car we set our sights for Chilliwack.
After a long trip being serenaded by the beagle I was dog sitting, we finally found the parking lot after making a quick stop to check out the Chilliwack river. There were a few cars there already even though we got there fairly early.
As we unpack our gear and dogs there was a creepy dude by his truck that made a few comments on us girls doing the hike. We chatted back but made sure he knew that we were well equipped. He may have been a nice dude but he kind of gave us a creepy vibe. Maybe we're just paranoid?
We hiked down the lot to the trail markers. One way led to Flora Lake and the other pointed us to the 200m mark where the Lindeman trailhead started. We will probably try Flora Lake sometime in the near future!

The hike up to Lindeman was incredible! I loved every moment of it. Fresh mountain air and to be surrounded by huge cedars was exhilarating.  And this was no gravel path either. These are the kinds of hikes I really enjoy. The varied trail makes it interesting and the view at the top is so rewarding. We had to climb over boulders, across fallen trees, snaking your way up super steep sections. It was awesome! There was even a log bridge that we had to cross as well to get over the creak. I was a little wary of that part with a crazy beagle pulling me but he did well! He actually did very well the whole trail. I only had to carry him over one section of boulders that was too far for him to jump safely.
While the trail itself was all kinds of beautiful, the lake was breathtaking. From crystal blue to emerald green, I've never seen anything like it in person. Mountains reached up above us and we could see a snow capped peak from along the trail. I couldn't take my eyes away and my smile was permanently plastered onto my face.
We continued along the lake to the far point. Cue more boulder climbing and hopping across great big slabs of rock. If you continue up and over the shale rock slide for another hour or so it brings you to Green Drop lake but that will be reserved for a later adventure. Everyone we met on the trail was so nice! How could you be cranky when you are surrounded with beauty like this?  I felt so accomplished, I think we all did.
There was a rock out from shore and I wanted to wade out to it to take a picture but it was a little deeper than expected and I wasn't prepared to hike the rest of the way sopping wet. Oh well, next time with shorts!
We stopped and fueled up, took a bunch of pictures (I'm kicking myself for not bringing the DSLR!) and then made our way back down.
I am really surprised that Bandit didn't drag me face down the very steep sections. He was either very tired or was respectfully waiting for me to slowly make my way down. 
We reached the bottom and threw ourselves back into the car, tired, sweaty and feeling a little gross but amazing none the less.