Further to Frank Peebles' account of his hike to Mount Robson's Berg Lake, the area seems to have enjoyed increased attention this summer despite the doubling of camping fees, with most of the Berg Lake campsites being fully booked even on some weekdays.
A possible explanation may have been the exceptionally nice weather in north central B.C., although this doesn't always hold true for Mount Robson, which creates its own weather.
The real reason for the renewed popularity became apparent during a recent hike to Berg Lake and Snowbird Pass, where we met several overseas visitors who told us that an international travel magazine (National Geographic, we heard later) had ranked the Berg Lake Trail and its environs as the second most scenic place in the world, after the Norwegian fjords.
We sometimes miss what is best in our own backyard, and with Prince George being the closest city to this amazing place, no one should live here for long without visiting Berg Lake at least once, and preferably more often.
One way to ease into the experience is to backpack only as far as the Whitehorn campsite, which doesn't involve too much elevation gain, and stay there for two nights. Then, day-hike up to Berg Lake, an option that also works well for introducing children to hiking. As you climb the steep trail beyond the Valley of a Thousand Falls with only a light pack, you will be energized by the sight of the Robson River's three major waterfalls, crowned by the awesome view of the north side of Mount Robson and Berg Lake.
Mike Nash
Prince George
