THE LODGE
INFO
The kitchen is fully stocked with all the cooking ware you could want in the backcountry, no need to bring anything if your group is self-catered. There is a propane fridge and freezer for food storage, as well as coolers located under the counters where it stays nice and cool. The large propane range and oven can accommodate meals for large groups of people. We even have a hand blender and a food processor as well as numerous baking tins and trays.
We provide mattresses, blankets, and pillows, and we ask guests to bring a pillowcase as well as either a set of sheets, a sleeping bag liner, or a sleeping bag. Hut shoes and a headlamp are also highly recommended.
There is a caretaker present at the lodge nearly full-time during the summer season, and they are always in residence when we have guests staying with us. This way we can make sure the lodge is maintained and supervised during our busiest season, as well as making sure we can host our day guests.
Expansions and renovations are planned for the future, check in with us to see our progress!
TEAHOUSE
Due to our location, we cannot guarantee that we can make change, so please bring exact change if you want to pay with cash. We also accept payments by cheque, money order, and Interac e-transfer. Forgot your wallet? We run by the honour system, so if you give us your word you will pay us at some point, we give you our word that we will make you a meal that you will enjoy.
Beverages
- Tea - $4
- Coffee - $4
- Juice - $4
Nibbles
Cheese and cracker plate $20
Assortment of cheeses and crackers (Comes with two beverages of your choice)
Bowl o’ chips $5/person
(Comes with a beverage of your choice)
Cookies $2
Daily Lunch
Soup and sandwich
Vegetarian option available
$25
(Comes with beverage of your choice)
AREA INFO
The highest mountain in our area, The Judge presides over our valley at a height of 2752 m (9029 ft). From the lodge, the trail climbs to Whitetail Pass. From here you turn SE and follow the breathtaking ridge all the way to the peak. This wonderful ridge walk ends with a moderate scramble for the last couple hundred meters to the peak. The views from the Judge are amazing, as you are able to see Mt. Assiniboine, the Beaverfoot valley, the Kootenay River valley, and lots more. Keep an eye out for the numerous different alpine wildflowers up on the ridges, as well as grizzlies and mountain goats.
Known as the Darn Tarn to us here at Diana Lake, this is a small body of water located in a deep valley just SW of Diana Lake Lodge. Due to the shadows, ice and snow usually stays in this area all year round, which in combination with the large boulders and rocks scattered through the water offers a great place to take pictures. From the tarn, you can climb the ridge located just to the north for a great view of Diana Lake and the Pinnacle valley.
Another spectacular ridgewalk follows the ridge on the north end of The Pinnacle valley. From Whitetail Pass, the trail turns north and disappears as it heads up the ridge. At this point the group can make their own way, following the ridge. The ridge heads north and then turns to the west, ending in a small peak overlooking the Columbia valley. From here you get great views of the Bugaboos and Lower Bugaboo falls. You can see all the way to Invermere and Windermere Lake and look down on the small hamlet of Spillimacheen.
The meadows of Pinnacle valley are a wonderful place to slowly meander through. With some interesting rock formations and numerous natural small creek beds, the mix of evergreens including pine, spruce, and larch, as well as the abundance of wildflowers, it is an area full of nature to explore. Search for ptarmigan among the rocks, watch the hawks and eagles searching for ground squirrels, hunt down wild strawberry and blueberry plants, and look for mushrooms in the open meadows. On nice days, a dip in the lake or a nap beside it is a wonderfully relaxing experience.
ACCESS
1. Road
Diana Lake Lodge is accessed off Highway #95 North of Radium, BC. Driving time from Radium Hot Springs is about 1 hour to the trailhead.
Turn North towards Golden, drive 18.5km. Just after blue and white sign for Luxor Corrals, turn Right onto the Kindersley-Pinnacle Forest Service Road. Stay Left at 7.3km….This is the Pinnacle FSR, right is Kindersley FSR (Do not go past yellow Kindersley FSR sign). Stay Right at 8km. Stay Left at 8.5km. Stay Right at 9.1km. Stay Left at 10.9km, 12.1km, and 13km. Stay Right at 13.2km. Stay Left at 14.5km (Luxor Creek sign). Stay Right at 14.8km (Branch F sign). Stay Left at 17.1km, and 23.4km. Stay Right at 23.5km
Trailhead parking is located at 24km, just to right of concrete bridge. Road currently extends to 25km, but road is rough with sharp rocks. The road between 24km and 25km will be DEACTIVATED as of fall 2018.
Forest Service Roads can have extremely marginal conditions. Please check these publication from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations on FSR safety. A 4×4 vehicle with moderately high clearance is recommended.
2. Trail
Trail directions from trailhead (approx 4900 ft elevation):
Follow trail over aluminium foot bridge.
Turn right onto the FSR and follow it for 0.9km.
Trail climbs to the right, marked with orange flagging and stone cairn.
After 3km , trails turns north and mellows out as it reaches the higher valley elevation. (approx 6400 ft elevation)
Follow trail for 2 km and you reach the BCRecreation campsite.
Follow trail around east edge of Diana Lake, up into meadows, turn right at Diana Lake Lodge sign (1km)
OR
Follow trail up from Diana Lake to Lodge (300m)
