South Powell Divide

South Powell Divide traverse is a stunningly beautiful alpine trek through the coast mountains high above the pacific.

The South Powell Divide traverse, as the name implies, traverses the southern half of the beautiful and remote Powell Divide. A route that links a series of alpine ridgelines that separate Powell Lake and Jervis Inlet. Despite its stunning beauty, easy travel (even without a trail), and abundant lakes for swimming, this traverse sees very few visitors — owing to its remoteness and a handful of technical sections. The trek generally stays above 1500m (4900 feet) which may not sound that high but it's in the alpine and makes sense when you consider that the highest peak in the area, Mt. Alfred, is only 2420m tall.

The South Powell Divide starts with a drive up the forest service road to the start of the route in the Eldrid Valley, an area famous for it's amazing granite cliffs that bring rock climbers from all over. We will stage a vehicle at the end of the route and continue a few more kilometers down the road to the start of the adventure. From there we ascend an old logging road to a forested trail that deposits us in the sub-alpine by Little Crater Lake, the first of many beautiful lakes we visit on this trip. Just past Little Crater Lake is Big Crater Lake and the location of our first camp. If anyone has energy after setting up camp there's a beautiful peak that can be climbed above camp that looks over at the glaciers of Mt. Alfred.

The second day starts with a hike past a few more lakes before gaining the ridge for some breathtaking views. From there we follow the ridge along the amazingly clean alpine granite slabs summiting Wessex and Burh peaks along the way. Once we find a nice spot to camp at one of the infinite number of alpine ponds we set-up camp and call it a day.

Day three finds us continuing along a section of ridgeline that we like to call the Zen Tarn Traverse. Its a section of alpine rock slabs that are home to an amazing assortment of small ponds and natural infinity pools. This deposits us on a small unnamed peak where we get our first look at the stunning Emma Lake and it's deep blue waters below us. A few more hours later we arrive at Emma Lake to spend the night at the cabin of the same name. If we're lucky, we might find that a cache has arrived with some fresh food and drinks.

On the last day we can sleep in a little and go for a swim in the lake before packing up and getting ready to go. From the hut it's about 1300m of descent to get back to the van.

Trip Stats:

• Start: Eldred River by the Climbers Camp
• End: Emma Lake Trail Head
• Distance: 32 Km
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 2750m/3000m
• Nights Out: 3
• Days Hiking: 4
• Lakes & Ponds Visited: too many to count
• Season: June to September

Want something longer? Check out the North Powel Divide.

Please note that this trip involves camping and everyone is expected to help carry some group gear which can include some food and equipment. If you're looking for something a little easier check out our Sunshine Coast Trail trip which runs hut-to-hut along the sunshine coast.

Waiver & Risk Management:

As you know, outdoor activities involve numerous hazards including, but not limited to, avalanches, crevasses, rockfall, slips and falls, equipment failure, poor weather, etc. And while we do our best to anticipate and mitigate these hazards we cannot completely eliminate them. So, as with anything fun, you will be required to sign our Participant Release to take part in one of our courses or trips.