The ACC ( Alpine Club of Canada)
Chrome Lake trail is an alternative way of accessing Jasper National Park's
fabled Tonquin Valley
. The trail begins 8km up the Astoria River trail and terminates at Outpost Lake along the base of The Ramparts. A one-way distance of 16km from parking lot to hut makes this the quickest route into the Tonquin and offers the comforts of a light pack and roof over your head (a good thing during bug season). Outpost Lake is home to the Alpine Club's Wates-Gibson Hut, a large class 'A' hut with many amenities.
From the junction along the Astoria River the trail makes an quick bridged crossing of the river then continues it's journey upstream. The last time I went up this way the bridge over Campus Creek had washed away but I'm sure it's been replaced by now. After 6km you'll pass Chrome Lake and reach two junctions with the Eremite Valley trail, on the right the trail leads to Surprise Point c/g and the Amethyst Lakes, 300m later on the left the trail continues to Arrowhead Lake and the head of the Eremite Valley. The hut is another kilometre up the trail, set back from the shore of Outpost Lake in a sweet smelling subalpine forest.
The Friends of Jasper
have the map you'll need for this trip, the 1:50000 government topo '83D9 Amethyst Lakes', or you can opt for Gemtreks 'Jasper and Maligne Lake @ 1:100000'. Booking is required and fees apply, call the ACC and the Jasper Trail Office. Reservations, which can be made up to three months in advance, are a good idea if you are visiting on a weekend in summer or early autumn.
Please be aware that camp fires are not permitted in the Tonquin Valley and dogs are now taboo as well.
Submitted by 'mtncat'.
Directions:
An alternate route into the Tonquin Valley, the ACC Chrome Lake trail branches off the Astoria River trail 8km from the trailhead on the Edith Cavell Road.
