Hiking Rohr Lake near Pemberton
Contents
Rohr Lake Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8.70Km
Elevation Gain: 542m
Highest Elevation: 1,800m
Average Gradient: 12.45%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 4 – 5 Hours
– Moderate: 3 – 4 Hours
– Fast: 2 – 3 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: July – October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No – But it makes it easier
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Rohr Lake Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 50°24’18.2″N 122°27’44.4″W
Rohr Lake Overview
Rohr Lake is an alpine lake situated beneath Mount Rohr along Duffey Lake Road, near Pemberton. With its stunning turquoise colors and relatively modest hiking stats it makes for a popular camping and hiking spot. With the nearby Mount Rohr trail a relatively easy addition, this area becomes quite popular in the summer for those looking for something a bit more adventurous, and quieter, than the nearby Joffre Lakes.
At 1,800m elevation Rohr Lake is actually quite a lot higher than the highest of Joffre’s three lakes, which sits at around 1,560m, and as such it remains snow covered deeper into the summer. Usually it will only fully thaw out in mid-July, so any ascent in June or earlier will almost certainly be to a snow covered lake, and by most people’s standards will be pointless.
The stats above assume hikers park their vehicle at the very beginning of Cayoosh Creek FSR, which almost nobody does. Around 1km along the FSR there is a parking area with a washroom, where most people park (2WD friendly to here), but 4×4’s can continue further to a smaller parking area 2.2km down the FSR, beyond which the forested trail begins. If you are able to park here the hike will be extremely quick as you’ll have cut out half of it (in distance, not elevation). Either way, walking along the FSR is very simple and quick, so if you park earlier it’s not going to make life particularly difficult.
Most of the hike is a simple forest trail, which is often muddy throughout due to a number of creeks running through the area, and a high amount of foot traffic. The final climb up to the lake is a steep boulder field that will prove challenging with overnight packs. There is a reasonable amount of space at the lake for camping, though no designated campsites nor any facilities. Please ensure you pack out what you pack in, including toilet paper.
As always in the Pemberton / Duffey area bugs are a major issue in the early summer and may prove intolerable for many people. Late summer is therefore the best time to visit, typically mid-August to end of September. Early October may also work, but at these elevations it will no doubt be cold and snow won’t be far away by mid-October, if not earlier.
Dogs are welcome on the trail but the terrain will certainly prove challenging to those that aren’t experienced with these kinds of hikes.
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Is Rohr Lake worthwhile?
On its own Rohr Lake is more of a camping trip than a worthwhile hike. If hikers continue on to Mount Rohr that certainly makes the trip far more valuable, offering some stunning views from its summit, but simply going to the lake and returning is a short affair with somewhat limited views. That being said this is a very short hike to a very scenic lake, so the effort to reward is reasonably high.
How difficult is the hike to Rohr Lake?
Most of the trail is a typical forest hike with an average gradient, not particularly demanding by any stretch. The final 150m of elevation gain, however, is a very steep boulder climb that zigzags between boulders and mud from an outflow of the lake. Thankfully it’s only short lived and shouldn’t take too long.
Technically the hike is quite simple, the forested section can be very muddy in spots, though usually it’s fairly easy to avoid, while the boulder climb is mostly manageable without needing to use hands.
Rohr Lake Route Information
The trailhead for Rohr Lake depends somewhat on where you decide to park. Most vehicles can drive along the FSR to a parking area next to a washroom, around 1km in. Capable 4×4’s can drive all the way to the end of Cayoosh Creek FSR, around 2.2km along the trail, reducing the stats of the hike significantly since you’ll be saving that distance in both directions.
Wherever you have parked along the FSR you’ll first hike along the same road, which can be muddy, to the end of the FSR where the trail enters the forest. The lower sections of the trail are typically the muddiest, with multiple bridges over the muddiest sections to assist hikers. Some mud is unavoidable though so be prepared to get a little dirty.
The trail climbs gradually through the forest, and after a little less than a kilometer you’ll pass by some signage indicating the route to the Wendy Thompson Hut in the Marriott Basin, a popular spot in winter especially. Ignoring this route you should see signage for Rohr Lake leading up a trail to your right.
The trail continues weaving through the forest for another kilometer, climbing another 150m or so in the process and passing through a few more muddy sections. At around 1,650m you will reach a meadow that the trail remains adjacent to briefly, before you continue climbing up to the base of the boulder field.
When you reach the boulder field the route should be quite straightforward and well marked with flagging tape, but if in doubt you generally want to keep to the right any time you are climbing up. The initial boulder field view is somewhat foreshortened, and after climbing this one you’ll soon find out there is another you need to ascend. Still, it is quite simple and won’t be long until you reach the crest of the boulder field where you will immediately be greeted by the turquoise hues of Rohr Lake.
The best access to Rohr Lake’s shores is actually the immediate section of the lake that you reach. There will be a small beach you can explore and some people opt to set up tents along this area. Alternatively you can continue along the trail along the shores of the lake where there are a few different spots that you can access the shores, though not a whole lot of space to set up tents. There may be some spots where you can setup in the forest just away from the lakes shore.
The trail continues following the lakeshore and well beyond, ultimately leading to Mount Rohr. You may want to follow it somewhat, even if you don’t intend to go to Mount Rohr, as the valley below Mount Rohr is quite scenic in itself, offering some nice alpine terrain that you don’t get just by going to the lake.
If you are just coming for the lake though, you can relax, go for a swim (note: very cold) and have a bite to eat before descending back to the car the same way you came.
When should I hike Rohr Lake?
Due to its elevation the lake likely doesn’t thaw until July, possibly even nearer to the middle of July. In the early to mid summer you can expect a significant amount of bugs, which some people want to avoid. The season is typically mid-July to mid-October, but the peak season is probably mid-August to the end of September if you want ideal conditions.
Top Tip
This is grizzly country so bear preparedness is essential. Bug spray is a must, especially if you go in early to mid-summer.
The trail is often very muddy so be prepared as such, especially earlier in the summer when snow melt is higher.
I strongly advise continuing on to Mount Rohr, which provides much better than the lake alone.
