We chose to do a shorter hike (4 km) in Roche Lake Provincial Park, a route we have done quite a few times.    We started near Roche Lake.    A signed backroad heads east to Black Lake and beyond.    The road is high clearance for sure, but 4WD in the spring.    In about 1 km we arrive at Black Lake, a scenic spot with some informal camping or day use spots on the shoreline.    Fishermen venture in to the lake in season.    Last year I hiked in with a folding kayak on my back to paddle the lake.

Some of the route in is easy hiking on a decent road, but there are also deeper mud holes, large rocks, and eroded tracks.   I asked one fisherman about driving in and he said, “It’s a  very slow drive.”

We hiked to the end of Black Lake.    there is a nice backcountry camping or day use spot at the east end of the lake.

We retraced our steps back to the start.     Fireweed was in bloom along the way.

In most years, we go past Black Lake out to Bog Lake, then over to Ernest Lake (a beautiful spot), and back on rough tracks past John Frank Lake, all the way to Roche Lake, a 12.7 km loop route.    We hope to do this again in the fall.

More Information:

• Roche Lakes Trails
• Roche Lakes Loop
• Pack and Paddle: Black Lake