Lindeman and Greendrop Lake - Hike 3

Lindeman Lake © Stephen Mullock

Consider the entire package when you are thinking about relocating, the Chilliwack* area has plenty to offer including a spectacular natural setting which I have been exploring in a series of local hikes.  My first hike took me up the Coquihalla, my second to the Harrison Lake Forestry lookout, the destination this time, Lindeman and Greendrop Lake, BC.

The skies are overcast - with showers in the forecast - but we find rain as we drive down the Chilliwack Valley road, the windshield wipers beat a rhythm, and then all at once, the asphalt roadway is dry - my third hike of the season to Lindeman and Greendrop Lake might still be a dry one - with any luck. If it rains I am told we will only go as far as Lindeman Lake the rocky trail beyond gets slippery and dangerous when wet.

As we drive I am thinking about Charlie Lindeman (1869 - 1943), one of the last true mountain men to live in these parts. Like a lot of other young men he claimed land in the Chilliwack River Valley in the early 1890s. He built himself a 15' x 30' log cabin on the north side of Chilliwack Lake, grew a garden, and lived there with two Airedale dogs called Boob and Ben. Many men came into the Chilliwack River Valley looking for gold, silver, some logged and most left disappointed after a time, Charlie Lindeman stayed; he liked the wilderness. Charlie never married, and, only a couple times a year would venture into Chilliwack for supplies. He loved the forests, enjoyed isolation and being a self reliant man. To earn money he taught himself how to trap marten and ringed a trap-line around Chilliwack Lake at about the 4,000 foot mark. Mostly I am remembering a picture of Charlie Lindeman, from the book called "In the Arms of the Mountains, A History of the Chilliwack River Valley" (2006), he is sitting on a rough hewed wood bench against a log house wall with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile of contentment a yard wide.

Parking the car to the side of a rising Chilliwack Lake road we pile rocks behind the tires. Empty vehicles have been known to lose there grip and start drifting down the road, usually into another parked car. 

The Hermann Hikers are soon assembled, 10 on this day and our trek to Charlie's namesake Lindeman Lake begins at 9 am.

The first part of this popular trail requires a bit of steep climbing through the forest. Beside us Post Creek rushes by, very pretty, under forest canopy. Evidence of a wind storm some 4 years ago, the same storm that devastated Vancouver's Stanley Park, is all around, large trees blown down, snapped and splintered.

Post Creek, Chilliwack BC © Stephen Mullock

The walk to the lake takes us about 2 hours with a number of breaks to capture the beauty of this place with our cameras. We cross over Post Creek using log bridges and clamber over rocks, finally we reach Lindeman Lake and I am startled by the clarity and the emerald green colour of Lindeman Lake. As the sun darts in and out of the clouds these hues amplify and then recede. I can see why Charlie Lindeman loved it here.

Lindeman Lake © Stephen Mullock

Lindeman Lake, BC Emerald Greens

My attention is then taken to a craggy rock outcropping called the Castle or the Gargoyles guarding this jewel-like lake.  With their sharp dagger-like serrated edges they look like something from a horror fantasy. Clouds are being burnt off as the sun momentarily blesses the scene; then the Castle and attendant Gargoyles once more are enveloped by clouds to materialize once again just moments later.

Caste and Gargoyles, Lindeman Lake BC, peak through clouds

After a few minutes rest we are off to Greendrop Lake leaving Lindeman Lake behind us.

Up the rocks with Lindeman Lake BC behind

There are plenty of rocky areas between the two lakes, known as talus or scree, where choosing you footing must be carefully done. We take our time picking our way through these uneven surfaces. 

Scree or Talus Rock

Moving back into the forests plenty of interesting sights both small and large await us.

Looking up Cedar Tree Hollow

After another 2 hours we arrive at Greendrop Lake.  Unfortunately, the clouds have bunched up a bit and it does not show itself to good advantage.  I am happy to rest my legs, eat my lunch and marvel at some of nearby old cedars, maybe 100-200 years old.

With some good rest breaks we return to our vehicles at about 4 pm. without a single drop of rain falling on us.

Imagine living here....

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Stephen Mullock RI is an award winning full-time real estate agent with 30 years of experience and hundreds of sales. Thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Fraser Cheam communities of Chilliwack, Agassiz or Harrison Hot Springs? Contact Steve (click here) for experience, local knowledge and friendly service you’ll be happy you did.