#10 - Numa Peak and Floe Lake Loop
Kootenay National ParkLength: 15.4 mi • Est. 10 h 11 m
Starting from the Floe Lake trailhead to the stone bench intersection, make the north turn to go up the rock avalanche chute. Although it’s an unrelenting grind fest on rock scree that never lets up for the next 1,000m elevation gain, there are two or three really fun scramble sections you can choose to do, or you can simply avoid those and swing to either side. If possible - and to avoid slipping on scree as you ascend - try to find a rock wall to grip onto to make your life easier. Highly recommendable wearing gloves on the sharp slate rocks.
Once up the avalanche slope, you will be able to see Numa Peak, which would be another 400m elevation gain - on scree yet again.
The way to Floe Lake involves a bit more scrambling and walking along the ridge of the mountain, with sheer drops on either side that wouldn’t end well if something happened. The views when you arrive at Floe Lake are just breathtakingly gorgeous and other-worldly!
On the way back to the trailhead, you will hike through the burnt forest, the result of a devastating 2003 forest fire, and will cross the photogenic, teal-coloured
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