Note from July 8, 2010: Except for one snow patch at the top of the boulder field, which will require care in crossing, the rest of the hike is in fine form. The lake is about half melted, but the trail to the back end is still snow covered. Ran into three hikers under ten, including a three year old. She was on foot in the boulders (but her dad had the carrying backpack ready, just in case.) The trail through the boulders is a bit indistinct in spots, as the cairns have been knocked down over the winter. I'm sure they will all be restored (and then some) within weeks.
The boulders at 17k have been moved, and thanks to whoever did it. The road is very rough between 16k and 16.5k, and I would really recommend against taking low clearance cars up here.
Also, between the golf course and the Y junction at 3.7 k, expect loaded logging trucks and an astounding amount of dust. If you see an unloaded truck pulled over, DO NOT PASS. Pull in behind them... there is a loaded truck coming down the hill. You'll never see it, but you will see an enormous dust cloud rolling your way. (How fast can you wind up the windows?)
One more note: there is a new three forked intersection at 7.9k, thanks to a new cutblock. You want to go straight, although the most travelled road turns right. (That's because those trucks have been hauling out of here until recently.)
NOTE: The Gorman FSR has a couple of rough spots, with oilpan-seeking rocks protruding. High clearance is recommended. Also, the Dogtooth FSR, lower down, has some severe ruts due to sledders hauling their trailers through here in the spring. Exercise caution.
Synopsis: A hike on a well built trail to a beautiful alpine lake.
Access: From the lights in Golden, drive north on Highway 95 (10th Ave), cross the Kicking Horse River, and drive three blocks to 7th St. North. Turn left and follow the signs for the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and the Golden Golf and Country Club. Once it reaches the dikes, 7th St. turns into Kicking Horse Drive and eventually crosses the Columbia River on a single lane bridge. Drive 700 metres past the bridge and turn right on the golf course road. Follow it for 2.1 kilometres. Just past the first bridge turn left onto the gravel Dogtooth FSR. Set your odometer to "0" here. If you reach the golf course parking lot, you've gone too far.
For the first 1.5 kilometres, you need to watch for golfers crossing the road in three spots. The entrances are hidden by bushes, so be careful. Once you start climbing the hill, watch for heavy machinery and trucks at the gravel operation.
At 3.7 km, stay left at the Y. The road is now posted as a wilderness road after this point. Traffic uses both roads, so pay attention and don't miss this turn. At 7.9k, there is a three way junction. Take the middle fork. Ignore all minor side roads until 10.0 km, when you reach a 4 way intersection. Go straight ahead for Gorman Lake. The road gets a bit rougher after this. At 11.7 km, stay left. At 12.8 km, turn left onto the Gorman FSR. The next stretch of road has switchbacks and some very rough sections. Drive for 4.2 kilometres until you reach a wooden foot bridge. Park here.
Trailhead: The trail begins at the wooden bridge.
Trail: Cross the footbridge and continue up the road for 1 km, through the final cutblock. The last stretch is a bog, but the boardwalks are still in place. When you reach the forest again, a sign indicates it is three kilometres to Gorman Lake.
Follow the obvious trail. After 1.3 kilometres, the trail forks. Take the left hand fork. (The right fork is the old trail that leads through a serious bog. Stay off it.) Shortly after the fork, the trail emerges from the forest and reaches a boulder field. There is a well constructed trail that climbs and crosses the rocks, but you might have to hunt for it. Try to follow the cairns.
Follow the trail as it climbs and crosses the rock slope. You will be focusing on the trail, but it is worthwhile to stop occasionally and check out the incredible rock formations on the ridge to the south. Once clear of the boulder field, follow the trail for the final kilometre to the lake.
Around the lake: There are trails on both sides of the lake to reach the far end. The trail on the north side is easier and has less exposure to falling rock. It is about 800 metres to the far end.
The south side trail is pretty tenuous. Aside from rock falls, it isn't hard to slip into the lake. (Although if this happens to you, rest assured you weren't the first.)
Gorman-Holt col and Holt Lakes: From the back of the lake, head up the creek towards the back of the bowl. Before you get reach the last large rock cliff sticking out of the talus, turn left and grind your way up the steep talus slope. This is a difficult hike. At the top, you will find the slope lessens, and you can work your way to the col.
Gorman-Lang col: From the back of the lake, head up the creek until you are behind the rocky ridge on the right (which has some fantastic rock columns on it.) When the slope turns to grass and flowers, you can grind your way up, skirting the small trees about two thirds of the way up, and then moving left or right and hiking over the shattered rock to the col. It is a great deal of work to get to the col.
Cautions: