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Crater Lake
Smithers, B.C.
August 9, 2026
Distance: 6.3 km (3.9 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 315 m (1033 ft)
On the south slope of Hudson Bay Mountain, high above the town of Smithers, is Crater Lake. It’s neither a crater nor a lake, but an alpine tarn in a glacial-carved cirque that’s easily reached by a short, popular trail from a ski resort. The 15 km gravel road that runs to the ski hill is suitable for most vehicles, but it’s a slow drive due to sharp turns and washboards. The last 150 metres were extremely rough, and some cars parked before that. There were few cars when we parked in the morning, but when we returned in the early afternoon, the parking lot was overflowing with cars in no-parking zones. During our six-day stay in Smithers, Hudson Bay Mountain was nearly always shrouded in clouds, and today was no exception.
Dinah and I started up a stony road, passing cottages along the way. After 600 m, we reached a trail running through a lush meadow filled with colourful wildflowers. The trail continues through trees and meadows before leaving the last tree behind and alpine landscape ahead. The trail gently climbs as it heads almost straight to Crater Lake. Most mountains were too far to appreciate, although we did recognise Little Onion Mountain 30 km away, which we hiked the day before.
At the edge of the cirque, we looked down at Crater Lake just 10 m below. The trail splits into a few trails going to the lake, one of which ran over a lingering snow patch. It only takes a few minutes to drop down to the lake.
From the lake, parties can hike up another 800 vertical metres to reach the South Summit of Hudson Bay Mountain, but we turned around. Dinah hadn’t fully recovered from her second knee replacement surgery earlier this year, so reaching the lake was enough. However, it’s a beautiful area, and we plan to return and perhaps reach the summit.
Dinah looks at the map on a building at the entrance. The trail is on the right.
For the first few hundred metres, we passed cottages
We soon reached a meadow
Monkshood
The lower slopes of Hudson Bay Mountain came into view
We're still a long way away from the lake
We passed the last of the trees
Babine Mountains lie east. Astlais Mountain, Big Onion Mountain and Little Onion Mountain are far right (mouse over for a close-up).
Behind us, a dark cloud threatened rain, but never did
Dinah gazes down at Crater Lake
Before going to the lake, we walked a short distance to check out this strange bench
It's a short drop to Crater Lake
View from the shore
I backed up to get the entire lake in
