Lodgepole Lake lies in a basin on the eastern slopes of Chuwhels Mountain.   We can access it by turning off the Lac le Jeune Road at Stake Lake and proceeding up the Chuwhels Mountain Road for 2.7 km.   The small  Rec Site at the east end of the lake is for day use only, perfect for launching a canoe or kayak.   At the west end of the lake is the Lodgepole Lac Recreation Site.with 9 camping spots, also suitable for launching a canoe or kayak.  Lodgepole Lake is a smaller lake (38 ha) at 1424m elevation (4672 ft) and a paddle around the shoreline is only 1.2 km.

The east end of the lake is shallow, but fine for launching a kayak

In a summer of smoky conditions, we drove to Chuwhels Mountain to get above some of the smoke.

At this altitude, lodgepole pines stand tall and straight on the shores of the lake.   It is an area where we go to snowshoe in winter since the road is plowed to the Rec Site and the altitude provides enough snow for snowshoeing.   A volunteer has been setting and marking trails for years.   In summer it is a spot for fishermen, and for campers to explore the tracks on Chuwhels Mountain.

More information:

• BC Recreation Site – Lodgepole Lake
• Lodgepole Lake Snowshoeing