Burstall Lakes Trail

Burstall Lakes Trail is the lower out-and-back on the Burstall Pass Trail from Burstall Pass Day Use Area into the lake flats and back. Plan for 4.5 miles round trip and about 2½ hours. This is a forest and valley walk with the lakes as the payoff; the sustained climb to Burstall Pass comes beyond the willow flats, so you can stop before the harder mountain leg.

A raised berm by Mud Lake leads from the day-use area into a wide, gently uphill gravel track through pine and fir. Burstall Creek runs below part of the approach. The forest opens into willow flats near the lakes, where water can flow across the trail. Short spurs lead toward the lakes; the main Burstall Pass Trail continues beyond them and climbs steeply.

This route turns back in the lower lake area, before the climb to the pass. Several published descriptions give different totals for the lake walk, from about 7.2 to 8.9 km round trip; another mentions 7.8 km without saying whether that is one way or return. They do not establish the same lake-side endpoint, so allow extra distance if you follow more of the spurs or wander farther across the flats. The full Burstall Pass hike is a separate 7.4 km one way with about 470 m of elevation gain.

Start at the Burstall Pass Day Use Area parking lot off the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail; pit toilets are at the lot. Dogs are allowed on leash no longer than 2 m. Flowing water can cover the willow flats, so expect wet, uneven footing around the lakes.