Lineham Ridge

Lineham Ridge is a hard, 17.2 km (10.7 mi) out-and-back from the Rowe Lakes trailhead on Akamina Parkway. It follows Rowe Creek through forest and Rowe Meadow, then climbs to a cairn on the ridge for views into the Lineham Lakes basin and back across Rowe Valley. Allow 6–8 hours and about 960 m (3,150 ft) of total climbing. This is a full-day mountain hike, not a quick way to reach the lakes: they sit roughly 400 m (1,300 ft) below the ridge. A 20 km return figure also appears; this entry uses 17.2 km, which fits the mapped line to the cairn and two route measurements. The out-and-back corridor is drawn once on the map.

The approach starts in forest beside Rowe Creek. For the first few kilometres, the grade is gentler than the upper climb. Look for bright red argillite among mossy ledges along the creek. At about 3.9 km, the Lower Rowe Lake spur leaves left; stay on the main trail. Small streams cross on log bridges before the path opens into Rowe Meadow, a broad, stream-cut basin under a high headwall. Wildflowers show in season, and this is your last open, relatively level stretch before the ridge. Cross the meadow creek and continue past the Upper Rowe Lake junction to the signed Lineham Ridge branch.

After the junction, a short, steep climb through trees leads to a long traverse across the headwall. Underfoot changes to rock and loose scree, then switchbacks climb to the ridge. Trail markers can be difficult to pick out on the scree, so keep to the signed route. The sustained climb is what makes the hike hard; the valley approach can make it easy to underestimate the work still ahead. The ridge is exposed, with steep scree and cliff bands below the crest.

The ridge cairn is the standard turnaround. Lineham Lakes lie about 400 m below and are not reached by this trail; the payoff is the view into their basin, with the Rowe Lakes and Rowe Valley behind you. From the cairn area, frame the lake basin against its headwalls for the signature view. The trail continues as part of the longer Tamarack route, and a faint, unmaintained line heads toward Mount Lineham's summit; neither extension is part of this hike. Don't add them to your day unless you intend to take on that more complex route.

The trailhead is the Rowe Lakes or Rowe-Tamarack access on the north side of Akamina Parkway. Parking can get tight, and no toilets or potable-water supply were confirmed at the trailhead or along the route. Bring drinking water for the full day. Dogs are allowed but must stay leashed under Parks Canada rules; park admission fees apply.

If the ridge is more than you want, Lower Rowe Lake is a separate 8 km return walk taking about 3 hours; Upper Rowe Lake is about 12.8 km return and 5 hours. They share the Rowe Creek approach, but don't take their lake spurs if you're doing Lineham Ridge.