Top Of The World Provincial Park, BC

Fish lake and cabin

Fly fishing off the dock

Ridge above Fish Lake looking East

These images are from Top of the World Provincial Park in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia. [49 50 47 N x 115 26 31 W] The elevation of the lake is about 5,700ft and the ridge above it is about 8,000 ft. The picture on the dock is a fellow from the East Coast of the US. He walked in because the name of the lake is Fish lake, but there are few fish there. It is shaped like a fish, and that is where it got its name. The ridge would be directly above that shot. The image of the lake was taken from the trail that leads to the top of the ridge. It looks like a difficult climb, but actually there is a good trail all the way to the top. It is well worth the walk, but take water as there is no water once you leave the lake. The trail in from the trail head at the road to Fish lake takes about an hour or so to get in and it is an easy trail that is passable with a mountain bike, but there are a few places that you will have to dismount to keep going. The cabin is open for all to use, but there are mice and you have to share it with them. 

There is a great campground and several day hikes from the lake so it makes a great place to spend a week. Don't drink the water from the lake without boiling it, but there is fresh water at the other end of the lake that is about a 10 minute walk that is very good. You wont need more than a good pair of runners and a small pack with water and lunch to get to the lake and back for a day hike. Hiking boots and high mountain clothes are recommended if you go up from the lake. Bear (my dog) and I got stuck in a wicked electrical storm up at Sparkle Lake . We had snow, hail and the lightning & thunder where right on top of us. We had to dig in for about two hours to let it pass. If you go high, be prepared for sudden and significant storms even on a beautiful cloud free day. They come in fast, in the high country. From the first sound of thunder, we had only a few minutes to get off the ridge and find safety. This is one of my favorite hikes.