Tombstone Lakes Trail hike on 24-Sep-2021

With a late cancellation due to sickness, eight of us started up the popular Elbow Lake trail shortly after 9.00am. I think it was a cool +5c, but with the sun shining, it soon turned into a perfect Autumn day. In the meadows beyond Elbow Lake, we spotted some flagging which led in about 100metres to the pretty Elbow falls: a worthwhile diversion. We then followed the old road (Big Elbow Trail) over some bridges to the Tombstone campground. Work was being done here on the solid outhouse building and surrounds.

Elbow Falls near Elbow Lake

Ramblers on the Big Elbow Trail near Elbow Lake

We followed the good signs on a smaller trail to Tombstone Lakes and enjoyed a nearly one-hour long lunch break by the shores of the Upper Tombstone Lake. It was lovely to eat, drink and talk while basking in the warm sunshine. Two members changed into shorts. It was about 12.30pm.

Upper Tombstone Lake

Ramblers at Upper Tombstone Lake

Not knowing exactly where Daffern's "larch pass" was, we backtracked to the lower lake and took a small trail north to a nearby ridge top. It took about 20 minutes one-way. Here there were larches: "larch pass?". Although the trail continued to join the little elbow trail north to Romulus campground etc., because it was nearly 2.00pm, we turned around and headed back to the cars.

Walking through Larch Pass (I think) near Tombstone Lakes.

The trail back seemed longer and went uphill more than in the morning. But, with a few breaks and pleasant conversation, we were back at the full parking lot about 4.30pm. We passed several family groups backpacking presumably to camp at the nearby Elbow Lake campground. A car thermometer measured +17c shade.

My GPS tracked 21.6km and 719m elevation gain in 7:30hrs, implying Tombstone Lakes about 20km, 650m elevation gain in 6:30hrs return, including all breaks. Given the great weather and company, we didn't rush. Many thanks to participants: Phyllis,Janice,Jane,Audrey,John,Jo,Agnieszka from C, S & P David.

Tombstone Lakes from Highway 40: approx 20km, 650m elevation gain, 6:30hrs, return.