Watersprite Wonder Lake

A September hike through rain, rock, and awe

Waterspite Lake, Sept 14, 2025. All photos proviided by author.

On the second Sunday of September, my hiking buddy and I checked off a bucket list hike — Watersprite Lake — and wow, what an unforgettable experience.

We joined a local hiking group, led by a well-prepared, seasoned hiker, along with seven others. We met at 5:30 am, and about an hour later, we made the turnoff to the access road. The path to the trailhead is rocky, rough, and scary, but in a fun way. If you’re planning this trip, you’ll need a high-clearance 4x4 and a brave, experienced driver (not me!)

Trail Overview

• Distance: 17 km
• Rated: 4.7/5 “Hard” on AllTrails
• Our hiking time: 6 hrs 49 mins + 30 min break at the lake
• Conditions: Rainy (for most of the hike)

The trail started out clear for the first few kilometers, but then the rain began, and it persisted for the rest of the way. The terrain is a mix of flat sections, rocky paths, hill climbs, and some scrambling. I’d rate it “easy to moderate,” except for the final stretch — a sketchy bouldering section that required careful footing.

Compared to the Wedgemount Lake hike, I found this one much gentler on the knees, especially on the way down. Wedgemount’s…