Don't let the first kilometre of this trail put you off. It starts off with a climb of 650 meters in elevation in the first kilometre. It flattens out just before you get to the lake, allowing you to catch your breath.
The lake is beautiful and clear, surrounded by towering peaks, and full of fish. You can easily fish from shore at any number of spots along the trail.
We camped here in April last year. The snow was almost gone at this elevation so it made a good early overnighter. There aren't any facilities but there are plenty of places to pitch a tent.
The trail continues along Lindeman Lake (often scrambling over scree) to the end of the lake where there's a boardwalk. The nice big sandy beach here is an inviting place for a swim.
The trail was not very well marked for a little while at this point due to a rock slide when I was here but it's probably better marked now. Cross some more scree and then you're back into the woods on the trail up to Greendrop. The trail was mostly snow covered in April but was still pretty easy to follow. You follow Post Creek, climbing to 910 meters over the next kilometre with plenty of boulders to scramble over. There is a branch trail at 5 km. Following the right takes you to a picnic area and campsite at the south end of the lake. The left one takes you up above the lake into the Skagit Valley. It was a winter wonderland when I was there so I can't comment on the camping/picnic areas.
Directions:
From Vancouver, take Hwy 1 to Chilliwack. Take Vedder road to Chilliwack Lake Road. (I don't think there's a signpost when you're coming from this direction... it's just before you go over the bridge at the Chilliwack River). The trailhead is 39 km along the Chilliwack Lake Road.
ByPosted By: Sturminator
- Tue Aug 19 11:45:53 EDT 2008
UpsideLindeman Lake is a beautiful blue/green lake that you usually have to hike hours to see. This one even with a full pack only takes 45 minutes. The swimming is so refreshing. The water so clear.
DownsideLindeman can get busy with many partiers. We carried out 3 full garbage bags of bottles that campers left behind. So the site is clean for now.
CommentI love this hike. It is one that you can do with friends that are not hikers. Once they get to Lindeman, they may be converted.
ByPosted By: rvank
- Tue Jun 24 22:17:45 EDT 2008
Upsidenice hike to take people on who aren't at a peak fitness level. Lindeman is a nice place to swim and have lunch.
DownsideI've done it one too many times already!
CommentIts also a really good hike in the winter when its below freezing. Watch out for slippery spots. Some really nice big icicles hanging from the ridges above lindeman
ByPosted By: gal
- Fri Jun 06 16:21:39 EDT 2008
Not Rated
QuestionSnow near greendrop lake?has anyone been up this trail recently? I wanted to know if there was still some snow on the trail near the 2nd lake?
ByPosted By: JaredC
- Sun Jul 29 03:03:08 EDT 2007
UpsideTwo beautiful lakes in one hike, both with clear, clean, and fresh water. There's always something to look at while making your way through the forest as well.
DownsideA few slightly intoxicated campers at Lindeman. Otherwise, no real downsides.
CommentIt's definately worth the trek to the 2nd lake (Greendrop). The trail is more interesting/exciting than the first section to the first lake (Lindeman). We found it quite easy to follow the trail across the many rock/boulder sections. Even our little Chiwawa managed on his own the whole trip!
ByPosted By: gcskawt
- Fri Apr 13 02:02:13 EDT 2007
Not Rated
UpsideGreat Hike, can go at your own pace and not too difficult.
DownsideAlot of scrambling over screefields. Somewhat tedious. Trail was washed out betweent the lakes at one spot, had to wade through knee deep water when I went. Probably fixed now.
CommentWorth it to explore around Greendrop lake, little side trails to the waterfall and old gold mines.
ByPosted By: westons
- Tue Aug 01 17:19:34 EDT 2006
UpsideQuite an easy trek through the forest, and it only takes about 45 minutes to reach Lindeman Lake. Beautiful little body of water that is probably more scenic than Greendrop Lake.
DownsideNot much of a serious challenge to a fairly experienced hiker, and numerous boulder fields between the two lakes.
CommentBeautiful, relaxing hike that is quite straightforward after the journey to Lindeman Lake. Can be packed with snow in the winter, and Greendrop Lake frequently freezes solid in colder temperatures.
ByPosted By: Pharmer
- Fri Jul 07 17:37:20 EDT 2006
UpsideI love this hike, we do it every year, beautiful small waterfall on the way up, good first ascent and Lindeman lake is the most blue-green lake I have seen around this area. Easy access to for those without a 4x4 and very close to Chilliwack lake campground).
DownsideLots of rock slides (I believe about 8 in all). Have to be careful and feet were sore after stepping on rock edges for so long. I have seen a few dogs have problems with the rocks so be cautious about how far you go (as most the slides occur between Lindeman and Greendrop).
CommentDepending on when you go you get great views of both lakes, we went in May and there was still snow at Greendrop so we had to eat lunch in the forest.
ByPosted By: bueffix
- Mon Jun 12 14:35:26 EDT 2006
UpsideEasy hike to beautiful lake, even with a two-year old daughter in her carry pack. No bugs or moskitoes yet, and the cleanest I've seen the trail.
DownsideUgly graffiti on a big boulder.
CommentNothing like a bit of elevation gain to get rid of most people. You'll still meet some, but we found them all to be nice.
ByPosted By: The Shadow
- Mon Nov 07 18:42:32 EST 2005
UpsideSteep at first, then relatively level.
DownsideMany boulders fields to cross, could wreak havoc on those with bad knees!
CommentThe description is a bit mis-leading. From the POST CREEK parking lot to Lindeman Lake itself is a mere 200m gain in elevation and only another 100 or so from Lindeman to Greendrop. It is a 6km trip from the parking lot to the shores of Greendrop lake, and takes about 4 hours (for the average hiker) to complete the return trip. I recommend this one as a nice day-trip. As an extra bonus, you could pick up the TCT on the West side of Greendrop and follow it out to the Skagit Valley.
ByPosted By: misty
- Mon Aug 22 13:54:21 EDT 2005
UpsideBeautiful lake!! Great little hike up.
Commentwe went up on a beautiful hot saturday afternoon.. not a lot of people and the lake provided a nice cool off.... suntanned at the little beach at the far end... a really great little spot!!
ByPosted By: Gulagger
- Tue Aug 16 16:41:03 EDT 2005
Not Rated
UpsideTwo beautiful lakes, lots of great views.
DownsideDrunk high school kids at the Lindeman Lake campsite, the scree slope crossings.
CommentI enjoyed this hike and did it as a quick overnighter, staying at the Greendrop campsite. There were tons of people on the trail throughout the day, many of them ill-equiped and obnoxious though.
ByPosted By: joeyhalen2000
- Fri Jun 17 01:27:12 EDT 2005
UpsideGorgeous Lake, crystal clear water, and lots of fish. You can see them jumping around all over the place. Bring a fishing rod, as there is a few places to make a fire and cook your catch.
DownsideLots of people, including noisy kids, school groups.
CommentWould be a great place to camp out as the hike doesn't take more than an hour to Lindeman Lake.
ByPosted By: mbinning
- Sat May 28 08:05:53 EDT 2005
Not Rated
UpsideThe lake is absoutely amazing, definately worth the hike.
DownsideThe lake is to cold to swim in.
CommentIts an excellent hike to do with beginners, or kids.
ByPosted By: trailpeak
- Mon Nov 15 21:32:13 EST 2004
UpsideThis trail is gorgeous!!! Lots of dense woods all around you, a beautiful stream running close to you, and wide open open boulder fields to see the view around you. Its a little harder than an average hike, its the type of hike where if you want to push yourself a bit, this is it. The two lakes are something to see, but I personally think the trail makes the hike cause your surrounded by huge douglas firs and tons of mosses and fungi.
Downsidenone to mention - posted by user 'pimping_cowboy'
CommentPretty simple to get to, take the cultus lake turnoff off of #1, keep on heading past the turnoff for cultus lake and cross over the vedder river bridge and turn right onto chilliwack lake road. Continue down this road for a god 30-40kms and you'll see a sign on the right for lindeman, greendrop and flora lake. Park on the side of the road, and head down past the yellow gate and you'll find the trailhead at the bottom of the road.
ByPosted By: Outdoor Girl
- Sun Aug 08 18:22:20 EDT 2004
UpsideLindeman Lake is a beautiful lake to see, I was just amazed by the beauty.
CommentI did this trail with two children, a 5 and 7 year old. It took us 45min to reach the lake.
ByPosted By: ckato1
- Tue Jan 20 19:09:09 EST 2004
Not Rated
Upsidegreat hike,beautiful views
Downsidesection between greendrop and flora lake is overgrown in spots.Met with three hikers that got lost,And had to stay in a swampy overgrown area untill daybreak.when we found them next morning they had no idea wich way to turn.
ByPosted By: MJDJ
- Wed Dec 31 03:40:15 EST 2003
UpsideCrystal-clear water, clean air, everything that hiking is supposed to be without the torture!
DownsideSince it is a fairly easy hike, there is the garbage and litter that ensues. Please clean up after yourselves! According to the kids (who made this trek in the Summer as a Field Trip) there can be lots of wasps around.
CommentBeautiful lake, absolutely gorgeous scenery. There is some scrambling along the landslides but nothing too strenuous. Usually lots of people around.
ByPosted By: corriesw
- Sun Sep 21 12:39:49 EDT 2003
UpsideThe lake is beautiful and the waterfall is great. Lots of pretty sights.
DownsideNot a very long hike it f you are looking for a work out.
ByPosted By: iamcanjim
- Sat Jul 19 02:59:14 EDT 2003
UpsideBeautiful Hike, Greendrop is full of easy to catch fish, small amount of elevation gain.
DownsideVery Crowded and lots of hiking on scree.
ByPosted By: spotty
- Thu Jul 03 22:20:42 EDT 2003
UpsideLindeman Lake is beautiful.
DownsideThere can be lots of people.
ByPosted By: jeannette
- Fri Jun 27 12:26:30 EDT 2003
UpsideLindeman Lake is beautiful, crystal clear, turquoise water, it's amazing.
CommentAlthough Lindeman Lake is the more beautiful of the both lakes, it's definitely worth going to Greendrop Lake, too.
ByPosted By: yarlie123
- Tue Jul 30 00:57:51 EDT 2002
UpsideLindeman Lake is a gorgeous place for a swim in the summer, with crystal clear water, big rocks to jump off of, and the rocky gargoyle peaks towering above it.
DownsideI wasn't as impressed by Greendrop Lake, and the trail to it was kind of wet in places.
CommentGreat little jaunt up to Lindeman-steep enough that it's hard,, but short enough that it doesn't kill you!
Posted By: Sturminator
Posted By: gal
Posted By: JaredC
Posted By: gcskawt
