With all the problems accessing Glory Basin from the Lemon Creek side, this has become the main trail access to Sapphire Lakes and Glory Basin. Ascends west from Kokanee Glacier Cabin and Kaslo Lake.
From Gibson Lake, it is a long day with a 700m elevation gain. Accessing Sapphire Lakes is much more pleasant if done over two or three days.
There are scrambling routes to the basin up Outlet Creek (one descent route) and a route up Commission Creek from the south end of Kokanee Lake to climb Mt John Carter.
Another is to park at km 14.7 on the Gibson Lake road, near a spot where several small streams cross, and ascend just downhill from the lowest stream. Bushy and Class 4 by the southwest face after passing through a notch at 908-055, west-southwest of the summit. (III,4,s).
FRA Paul and Scott Allen, Kim Kratky, 18/06/2009.
Refer to the post on the Gibson Lake and Kokanee Glacier Trail for driving details.
Lower Sapphire Lake
Rating: ♦♦♦◊◊
Location: Ascends west from Kokanee Glacier Cabin and Kaslo Lake.
Difficulty: C2 from Gibson Lake, B1 from Kaslo Lake
Elevation gain: From Gibson Lake 823m (2700′). From Kaslo Lake 353m (1158′)
Key elevations: Gibson Lake 1536m (5040′); Kokanee Glacier Cabin/Kaslo Lake 1954m / 6411feet; Lemon Pass 2254m / 7395’, Upper Sapphire Lake 2262m / 7421’; Lower Sapphire Lake 2245m / 7365’; Top Glory Basin (2397m / 7864’); Sunset Mt (2607m / 8553’), Outlook Mt (2591m / 8501’).
Distance: 12km from Gibson Lake, 8.9kms round trip from Gibson Lake
Time: 10-hour day hike or 2+-day backpack
Season: Mid-July through mid-October
Access: 2WD, high clearance best for Gibson Lake Road.
Map: 82F/11 Kokanee Peak, 82F/14 Slocan
Drive: Refer to the driving instructions to Gibson Lake and the Kokanee Glacier trail.
Route/Trail:
Starting at the cabin, follow signs for Sapphire Lakes or Tanal Lakes/Enterprise Pass. From Kaslo Lake, ascend switchbacks past the junction for Enterprise Pass. Views appear back down to the cabin and lake with Kokanee Glacier and Sawtooth Ridge in the distance.
Cross Griffin Creek on large stones and pass Griffin Lakes at the base of Mount Giegerich. The trail climbs up to Lemon Pass and a field of boulders and streams. The Sapphire Lakes at the base of Glory Basin finally appear. The upper lake drains into the lower lake over a series of small waterfalls.
What to Do.
1. Climb Mt Giegerich (2440m / 8005’)– a 180m scramble from Lemon Pass.
2. Glory Basin is a wonder of tiny tarns and streams. Two kilometres above Upper Sapphire Lake, the basin tops out at the pass (2397m / 7864’) between Sunset Mt and Outlook. Mt John Carter forms the east boundary of Glory Basin.
3. Climb any or all of Sunset Mt (2607m / 8553’), Outlook Mt (2591m / 8501’), or
Mt John Carter (2610m / 8563’).
4. Descend to Lemon Creek via Nilsek Creek accessed from the pass at the top of Glory Basin. The top of the rudimentary trail down Nilsik Creek is found high on the north side of the pass between Sunset and Outlook. It is important to find the trail as the bushwhack otherwise is distinctly unpleasant (I once broke my ankle doing it). The advantage of coming out this way is avoiding the Lemon Creek headwall and the washed-out bridge.
If a shuttle were arranged, this would be a long loop as a day hike or more pleasantly a multiple-day backpack camping at Kaslo Lake and Sapphire Lakes or upper Glory Basin.
Trail: 0.0 From Gibson Lake, start on the old mining road leaving from the NE corner of the parking area.
3.3km Keyhole Trail
4.5km South end Kokanee Lake 1975m (6480′). 1.5 hours. There is an outhouse here. This is the traditional departure point to climb Mt John Carter and Outlook Mt. Trail contours above the lake crossing some rockslides.
Kokanee Pass 2015m (6675′). After Kokanee Lake, traverse these meadows. For a shortcut to Glory Basin, depart the trail here, contour to beside Outlook Creek and ascend.
5.8km Keen Lake 1721m (6540′).
Garland Lake. Outlook Creek descends to this lake. Instead of from Kokanee Pass, ascend directly up the creek to Sapphire Lakes.
7.5km Kaslo Lake 1973m (6470′). Larger, this has the main campground with 10 sites. Walk to the NE corner of Kaslo Lake. Go left for a 10-minute ascent to Enterprise Pass. Right goes 1.4km to Slocan Chief Cabin.
8.2km Enterprise Pass 2017m (6650′). Turn left following the sign for Sapphire Lakes via Griffin Lake. Descend right to go NW down Enterprise Creek and Tanal Lake.
9km Griffin Lake 2165m (7100′). The trail goes south and descends to broad subalpine Lemon Pass. Proceed straight across the open expanse toward a stand of subalpine fir, once the Sapphire Lakes campground with room for 2 tents, a cooking stand, metal food cache, wastewater drain and a green plastic toilet. Now all but the toilet are gone.
10km Lower Sapphire Lake 2238m (7340′). Upper Sapphire Lake is a couple minutes southeast of the campground.
Descent: Outlook Creek. Starting at the campground area, descend NE through the open, grassy lower areas of Lemon Pass. Follow a beaten path and a few cairns to the north side of Outlook Creek. Simply follow the creek to reach Garland Lake and the main trail. Turn right for Gibson Lake trailhead via Kokanee Lake.