Although we wanted to head out on higher trails, a heavy snowfall made us reconsider vehicle access and parking.   We thought about trailheads that were easy to drive to, that still led to an area of trails and backroads with enough snow and we decided on the Outer Inks Lake Trails.

In the past two years, these trails are low enough that winter hiking was preferable to snowshoeing, but in a good snow year, these trails are also fine for on-the-snow outings.   We were disappointed that a truck had driven down some of the lower roads, but other route options were better.   We started on the Spade Lake route, but turned up to Dam Lake, where we stopped for our break.   We mainly followed backroads (there is a maze of roads and junctions in the area), but we also shoed on motorcycle tracks through the forest.

Vehicle Access:

• drive the Coquihalla Highway south and turn onto the Inks Lake Road exit
• park near the gate at the end of the exit road, just past the gravel pit/yard
• the unplowed backroads start at the gate and head west for 1km

Routes:

• we set snowshoe tracks so others can follow, but the backroads and trails are extensive; pick your own route
• the best routes all go south, but loops can be followed (see the map below)
• we chose to carry our snowshoes for the first section which had been driven on, but the snowshoe start area will vary according to snowfall and competing users