Philippa

The route into Philippa is not a maintained trail. It can be overgrown and hard to follow. Even experienced off trail hikers can have difficulties finding their way up this old boot tread if they can find it at all. Stong navigation skills and the proper equipment to navigate, map compass and altimeter, are strongly recommended. Once the boot tread is found from the end of the road (see driving directions) the path heads up the valley for approx 2 miles. It terminates briefly in a rockslide down to Philippa Creek. There may be cairns or flagging here. Traverse the rockslide down and to the right aiming for a large tree at the base of a small water fall and cross the creek here to pick up the old tread. After crossing the creek the way trail becomes steep and sometimes muddy, climbing root ladders and steep sections of huckleberry. Gain approx 500 vertical to the top of the timber and traverse the rockslide area up and to the left underneath the large buttress. This area is choked with slide alder and can be difficult to navigate. You want to top out on the left side of the rockslide near Philippa Creek to find the tread again. Once across the going is very steep for 200 vertical before the terrain levels out again towrd the lake. Multiple blow downs and debris often cover the path - stay to the right of the creek. Once you reach the lake you'll find fishing opportunities from the outlet end of the lake. A raft could be handy. The lake was last stocked with Rainbow Trout and Coastal Cutthroat Trout and the fishing can be excellent.