Twin Lakes Trail via Arnica Lake

This is the long Vista Lake–Arnica Lake–Upper and Lower Twin Lakes out-and-back: about 16.6 km (10.3 mi) and 6 to 7 hours. It starts at the Vista Lake access, drops to the lake, climbs to Arnica Lake, crosses a ridge to Upper Twin Lake, then continues to Lower Twin Lake. Parks Canada lists 7.4 km one way to Lower Twin Lake. The line here follows the mapped lakeshore trail to the south end, about 8.3 km each way; that longer route matches the detailed trail account and is what the round-trip distance uses. Choose it when you want a full day. Arnica Lake makes a good turnaround if you want the first half only.

From the Vista Lake parking area, the trail drops roughly 1.2 km into Altrude Creek valley and reaches Vista Lake. You can see rocks and old trunks below the clear water, with Storm Mountain beyond. After the lake, the climb begins. Several creek crossings break up the long ascent, and views open toward Mount Whymper, Boom Mountain and Castle Mountain. Larches start appearing around kilometre 3.2; Arnica Lake arrives near kilometre 5 beneath steep rock walls, with a few places to reach the shore. In fall, those larches turn gold, though the timing varies. On the Vista Lake approach, the rocky trail and turquoise water make a particularly good paired view.

Beyond Arnica Lake, a short ridge adds roughly 100 m of climbing. A creek runs through a muddy section; larches line the ridge, with distant views toward Pharaoh Peaks and Monarch Ramparts. The far side drops through conifers and moss. Upper Twin Lake first appears around kilometre 6.9, then the trail opens into a grassy meadow at the shore. This is the gentler-looking of the two Twin Lakes, but reaching it has already taken most of the climb.

To reach Lower Twin, cross Upper Twin Creek on stepping stones and pass the Twin Lakes backcountry campground. The trail gets rootier and muddier, with rocks and a long log bridge before the North Approach and Gibbon Pass junction. Take the branch toward the creek and Lower Twin Lake, then follow the shore to its southern end. Storm Mountain's cliffs hang over the water here. It is a satisfying finish, and the extra shoreline walk is why the full mapped route is longer than Parks Canada's headline distance.

Turn around at Arnica Lake if the full route is too much. Parks Canada lists that separate out-and-back as 4.6 km each way (9.2 km return), about five hours. You still get the climb, creek crossings, shoreline views and larches; continuing to the Twin Lakes adds the ridge and the muddy, rooty lower section.