Headwall Lakes to Fortress Mountain to Chester Lake

August 3, 2015 by Bill Rowe ·

Both these old roads come up from Chester Lake Parking

July 8th Wednesday 2015 & August 7th 2019.

Headwall Lakes to Fortress mountain and return from Chester Lake. A classic hike and scramble from Hwy 742 the Smith Dorrien and Spray Lakes hwy. The trail head is at Chester lake parking opposite Burstall Pass parking. Follow the trail to the left of the outhouse up towards the flood damage stream but turn right just before onto the old logging road. There is another old logging road that heads behind the outhouse at the back of the parking lot and comes out at the same place as the picture above shows. At 2km

Crossing Headwall Creek

The Headwall Creek is reached in 3.0 km. There is now a new bridge

This is the left turn off the logging rd to Headwall Lakes

The left turn as shown to Headwall lakes is about 250 m from the creek and is highlighted with cairns.

First Lake with the waterfall emerging through the ground from the second lake

The first lake at about 6.00km. There is a very narrow steep washed out trail through the trees to reach this point.

Back view of second lake

Approx route up missing the Col. General route is to go to the Col

The normal route is to attain the Col and then head up the wide ridge to Fortress. We headed up on the rocks to the right and eventually found a trail cutting left to the ridge. From this point to the summit is 600m.