Bootski Lake

August 30-31, 2025

Distance: 12km

Elevation gain: 694m

Time required: 5 hours round-trip

I visited my sister in Fort St. John for the Labour Day long weekend and we went backpacking in Tumbler Ridge. Tumbler Ridge is known for its amazing hikes, waterfalls, and abundance of dinosaur footprints and fossils.

Bootski Lake is just outside of Wapiti Lake Provincial Park. The drive to the trailhead took us a little over 3 hours and included quite a long portion on a gravel FSR, though it wasn't in horrible condition. We saw a small black bear on our way. Surprisingly, we passed almost no one on the drive in, and we were the only ones at the trailhead.

The hike was not that long or hard. We followed an ATV path for a few kilometres before heading into the forest and ascending into the alpine. The whole area is grizzly territory so we made sure to make lots of noise.

On the ridge, looking north towards Barber Lake (right), Wapiti River, and Wapiti Lake (left)

After a short walk along the ridge, we arrived at Bootski Lake. It had only taken us 2 hours and 15 minutes from the trailhead.

Bootski Lake is a small tarn nestled below limestone slopes

The camping area near the lake. We were the only ones there.

Limestone peaks to the south

Steph and I hanging out

The night sky was phenomenal. I've never seen the band of the Milky Way before.

The next day, we saw several herds of mountain goats. One herd climbed a steep, rocky cliff, which was really cool to see. One of the baby goats in a different herd was bleating for a long while.

Mountain goats grazing

More mountain goats climbing the rocky slopes

After a leisurely morning, we headed out. On our drive back, we stopped in the small town of Tumbler Ridge and did a short walk to see some dinosaur footprints. They are everywhere in the region.

Ankylosaur, ornithopod and theropod footprints

One of many footprints