Haig Lake

Elevation: 1790 m
Elevation Gain: 490 m
Haig Lake is a colorful tarn which occupies the cirque below Mount Haig’s sheer northeast face. Both the peak and its namesake lake were named for Captain Robert Wolseley Haig. Haig served as Chief Astronomer and Senior Military Officer for the British North America Boundary Commission between 1858 and 1862. This Commission sought to establish the official boundary between Canada and the United States. The Commission’s efforts included surveying, cutting wide swaths of timber and marking the border along the 49th parallel.
My Ascents:
June 17 2021
Trailhead: Castle Mountain Resort
GPS Track: Haig Lake

With doggone fine summer weather forecast for a Father’s Day camping trip, we ventured down to Castle Wildland PP ahead of our scheduled 4 pm check-in to get a head start the weekend’s hiking. In fact, the weather was so good that we even convinced the, normally somnolent, Grandma and Grandpa to hit the road with us at 8:30 am!

With our camping trailer in tow, parking is a concern at some trailheads (don’t make me back that thing up!). We, therefore, decided to hike in the vicinity of the Castle Mountain Ski Resort. Given the ski hill’s 7+ acre, empty parking lot, I figured that even I could maneuver the trailer as required to get us in and out. Last year, we’d parked in the same spot and hiked to Paradise Lake – only to find the lake strangely absent (doggone it)! This year, we decided to hike to Haig Lake in the hope that a scenic body of water would actually be there…

After unnecessarily hiking 300 m through the expansive parking lot (park at the south end!), we reached “Sundown Lane” and turned west towards the ski hill and its network of hiking trails.

During the course of our parking lot travels, we somehow managed to add a member to our party: “Carlos” the Castle Dog. Carlos was one of several local dogs who appeared to belong to the ski hill’s maintenance staff. Despite our early efforts to convince him otherwise, Carlos decided to “guide” us out-of-towners on our day’s hike. Who knew that the ski hill provided local hiking hosts free of charge? (photo courtesy Gord Hobbs)

Early on, the trail switchbacked its way up ski runs before traversing wooded areas between them. Carlos’ guidance was “helpful” but a GPS track would work equally well if he’s not around (or is actually on leash) when you visit.

LEFT and RIGHT: Thanks to an abundance of summer snow still left on high, waterfalls provided much amusement for old, young and canine alike.

As we left the ski runs behind, a road offered easy hiking up-valley towards Mount Haig.

LEFT: After a kilometer or two, Penny claimed to be tired, suckering a lift out of Mom (who it should be noted is much nicer than Dad). Does that little face look tired or manipulative to you?...
RIGHT: Another waterfall cascades down from verdant slopes above.

LEFT: Glorious glacial lilies!
RIGHT: Mount Haig presides at the head of the valley while our motley hiking crew ambles ever closer to its imposing northeast face.

As the trail neared tree line, open alpine terrain allowed for pleasant panoramic views. Click to see larger.

Grandpa soaks in the sun and the scenery.

LEFT: Carlos had a habit of darting off unpredictably into the brush but, fortunately, was very obedient. Every time that we called his name, he’d dutifully return right away.
RIGHT: Darting off was much less of a concern with old-man Crux who preferred to lay in the snow or shade whenever possible. Ironically, we'd forgotten Crux's leash on this trip but stopped to buy one in Pincher Creek so we wouldn't be forced to hike with an off-leash dog! 🤦‍♂️

A Goat and Grandma and their Girls.

LEFT: At higher elevations, we found more and more snow as Mount Haig continued to impress.
RIGHT: Thanks to Mera’s tendency to only move at 100 miles per hour, she was quickly reminded that snow is still slippery in summertime! 🤣

Crazy Carlos fared similarly… 🤪 (photo courtesy Gord Hobbs)

Near the hike’s end, we crested a small hill and the colorful lake at Mount Haig’s foot was finally revealed. Better still, it was actually a lake/tarn and not just a mud puddle! Click to see larger.

LEFT: Looks like Grandma and Grandpa are glad that they set their alarm this morning!
RIGHT: Down at the lakeshore, a host of vibrant glacier lilies welcomed us (photo courtesy Gord Hobbs).

LEFT: Dad and his hiking buddy!
RIGHT: Beautiful mountain, beautiful lake, beautiful girls!

LEFT: With their similar energy levels and attention spans, Mera and Carlos quickly became BFFs. 💕
RIGHT: Carlos the Castle Dog visits Haig Lake.

LEFT: Grandma, Grandpa and Ms. Mera. It would have been nice to get Ms. Penny in there as well but our 3-year-old no longer allows family photos… 🙄
RIGHT: From the lily-lined lakeshore, Mount Haig is awe-inspiring, towering 820 vertical meters overhead.

Mount Haig/Haig Lake panorama. I was lucky enough to scramble up Haig last year via the righthand skyline ridge. We even saw a host of mountain goats there that day… Click to see larger.

Thanks to a telephoto lens, we were able to confirm that at least 1 goat still frequents the cliffs above the lake (look for the 4-legged white dot in the center of the photo)!

After the dogs swam, the kids ate and everyone enjoyed a scenic respite, we started back down, stopping briefly for a family photo above the lake. Would you look at that?! We actually got Penny to cooperate for a doggone family photo! 🤯 (Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs)

Mellow mountain meadows highlighted the view as we returned down the Haig North trail we’d ascended. It’s possible to descend and make a loop via the Haig South trail but we knew that it would be snowbound still and decided to stick to the North trail’s drier south-facing slopes.

Enjoying the moonrise over Barnaby Ridge.

Brianne and Penny do their best to keep pace with Carlos and Mera. What goes up fast, goes down even faster! 🏃‍♀️

LEFT: Penny tackles a black diamond run near the ski hill’s base.
RIGHT: Caught in the act – Doggone it, Grandpa!

Near the base of the ski hill, we were approached by concerned maintenance staff who asked if we’d seen a missing dog. “Do you mean Carlos?” we answered as the dog-of-the-hour bounded excitedly out of the brush. Surprised and very relieved, we brought Carlos’ owner up to speed RE: his dog's whereabouts while Mera said her tearful goodbyes. (Photo courtesy Gord Hobbs)

As the reunited family drove off, we could hear someone playfully chastising Carlos: “You’re in a lot of trouble…”

Doggone it if Carlos cared though! 🤣 (Photos courtesy Gord Hobbs)