Elk River Trail to Landslide Lake

The Elk River Trail to Landslide Lake at the base of Mount Colonel Foster, Elkhorn Mountain, and Rambler Peak is a challenging day hike. After crossing a small ridge, the trail climbs gently for about 6 km in a 400-500 m elevation corridor, sometimes more or less away from the river, over hill and dale. Trees fallen by storms have been cleared away, or the tree trunks have been sawn through to create a passage. The trail appears to be well-traveled; even at this time of year, there are a few hikers along the trail. Most spend the night at one of the two campsites, Butterwort Flats Campsite (500 m) and Upper Gravel Bar Campsite (700 m). Several streams flow into the Elk River from the west; we cross them on logs, boardwalks, or wade through the streambed on foot, always trying not to get our shoes wet. Some streams cascade down as nameless waterfalls. After crossing the Elk River on a bridge at approximately 700 m, the valley opens with an expansive rocky slab. Enormous masses of water rush down a rocky gully into the valley below the impressive Landslide Falls. Cairns mark the path, which winds up to Landslide Lake (900 m). The lake lies before us, with patches of ice still covered in it, and the mountain peaks tower in the background. (May 14, 2025)
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