Hike Allstones Lake

Ref: ROSS, J., KYBA, D., "The David Thompson Highway Hiking Guide, 2nd Ed.", Rocky Mountain Books, 2016.

This was the second hike my husband and I decided to try in the David Thompson Highway (DTH) area.  We consider ourselves to be fairly familiar with many of the backcountry areas in the National and Provincial Parks spanning the Rockies, but had not taken advantage of many of the Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ) backpacking opportunities until this year.

So, before I dive into the details of this particular hike, I want to highlight some of the advantages and differences you may notice when backpacking in the DTH PLUZ.  

Advantage #1: You can overnight with your dog in the backcountry.  

Advantage #2: You can random camp.  Find a flat piece of land that fits your tent and set up your camp if you so chose.

Advantage #3:  You can have a fire.  This is something pretty rare in the National/Provincial park backcountry.  Here, you can have a fire.

Advantage #4: Did I mention it's free?

And now the differences.

Difference #1: Don't expect the trails to be signed, you'll be disappointed.  Buy a topo map for the area (Cline River, 83 C-2) and you'll be set.

Difference #2: No toilets... bring a trowel.  There are some pit toilets, but you shouldn't count on them.

Difference #3: Increased do-gooder anxiety.  If you are anything like me, it irks you when you see litter in a National/Provincial park (which have enforcement, at least)... seeing thoughtless littering in a PLUZ is nothing short of enraging.

Park on the south side of hwy 11 (near Abraham Lake) across from the trailhead. As the referenced guide indicates, the climb from the hwy is indicative of what to expect for the remainder of the hike in to the lake.  I'll be honest, it is a bit of a slog uphill to the lake.  I should caveat that with the fact that we were packing extra gear in for my step-children who, at under 12yo, are not quite self-sufficient.  As an unweighted day hike, perhaps it wouldn't be labelled a "slog". For the first 2.5km you are on hard-packed, heavily rooted dirt under tree-cover.  Around the 3km mark the trail becomes a bit more rocky, and you begin to break out of the trees to stunning views of the valley and Abraham Lake.  Eventually the trail levels out, and you begin the undulating trek toward a fork near Allstones Lake.  Here I will disagree slightly with the reference guide, which indicates that the intersection - "marked by a blazed tree" is between the trail to the lake and the hike up Allstones Ridge.  In fact, the fork, marked by the blazed tree, marks two different routes around Allstones Lake.  For the Ridge hike, trek past the fork toward the highway approximately 15m and turn left for the uphill hike to the Ridge and the commanding views of both Abraham Lake and Allstones.  In any case, at the fork, if you take the left route, you will descend to the lake.  The trek out is the same route you came.  

Some miscellaneous notes:

1. Bring your fishing pole.  Fish were jumping frequently and the lake is known to be an excellent fishing destination.

2. Expect company.  Although the hike in will be quiet, don't expect to be the only outdoor enthusiasts enjoying Allstones Lake.  It's a great spot that you should expect to share.

3. Hike the Ridge.  It's a short climb, and well worth the views.