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New Lake Viewpoint
Cranbrook, B.C.
September 23, 2025
Distance: 6.6 km (4.1 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 256 m (840 ft)
Ten minutes northwest of Cranbrook is a trail that AllTrails awkwardly calls New Lake 360 Viewpoint (I’ve shortened it to New Lake Viewpoint). It’s a short hike up an exploration road to an open summit. Three months ago, Dinah and I aborted the hike at the trailhead when a wildfire crew arrived to manage a fire near the summit. This time, there was no wildfire nearby.
After driving several kilometers up a gravel road, high ground clearance not required, we parked at a small pullout and started up a quiet forest road. Larch trees were just starting to show a hint of colour change, but were a week or two from turning vivid yellow. The road gently climbed, but after passing two forks, it became slightly steeper. The forest thinned, but there were no views until just below the summit. The road ended, and we followed a brief path to a viewpoint with a little bench. Near the bench, we were surprised to see a turkey vulture perched in a tree a few metres away. I snapped a few photos before the big bird became annoyed and flew away.
The summit was a short distance away. There’s no trail, but we easily crossed rock slabs to reach the top. As expected, there was a 360° view. However, trees prevented us from looking down at New Lake, and wildfire smoke veiled distant views. Despite this, it was a pleasant trip, and we lingered on the summit before heading back down.
There's room at the trailhead for only one or two vehicles
Walking up the road
Turning left at the first of two forks
Coming up to the summit
The road ends and a trail takes over
Before the summit, there's a viewpoint looking northeast at the Rockies
A turkey vulture sat in a tree a few metres away conveniently at eye level
Dinah, seen on the skyline, continued to the summit a short distance away
I crossed the rock slabs and joined Dinah
On the summit
From a summit bench, Dinah looks down at the City of Cranbrook. Mount Baker in the centre.
A solitary larch tree turning yellow was a harbinger of fall colours to come (mouse over to zoom back)
Mount Fisher
Centre and right are Mount Stevens and Teepee Mountain
