Forest and meadow approach reaches the alpine lake. A higher return loop and mountain extensions require stronger navigation skills.
Sources reviewed . This is a research date, not a trail inspection.
Full round trip · approximately 9.2 km mapped
Approximate terrain elevation. Mapped distance may differ from the published hike distance.
Approximate ground elevation from a 90 m terrain model. Distance follows the mapped itinerary and may differ from published walking distance. This is a terrain-model profile, not a surveyed measurement. Any ascent total is identified separately with its own source or estimation method.
The signed WNMS trailhead is independently mapped28m from the source start. Source vertex249 is the named Hiking Trail’s lake-shore endpoint, on the independently mapped Windfall Lake water polygon; the next source section is the separately named Circular Route. Selecting the approach through vertex249 and retracing it implements the steward’s direct lake return.
Route source 1Route source 2Route source 3Route source 4Route source 5Route source 6Copernicus GLO-90 terrain elevations via Open-Meteo (CC BY4.0); linework: Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 · checked 2026-10-18 · CC BY4.0 elevation data; Open Database License (ODbL) 1.0 linework. Copernicus DEM 2021 GLO-90 via Open-Meteo. Linework source: https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/643603747. Sampled and rounded for display.
The hosted map shows the direct lake return, about 9.6 km. The upper circular return is a separate option with different terrain and directions.
Route comparison checked 2026-10-18. AllTrails maintains this separate map.https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/windfall-lake
Published alongside the named trail guide; check the file’s start, endpoint and branches against your selected outing.
Publisher’s source page · checked 2026-10-17http://assets.wnms.ca/brochures/windfall-lake-jan-2025.pdf
Published alongside the named trail guide; check the file’s start, endpoint and branches against your selected outing.
Publisher’s source page · checked 2026-10-17http://assets.wnms.ca/gpx-files/windfall-lake.gpx
Complete mapped outing from Windfall Lake signed trailhead, including the return on the same route. Line source (opens original source).
Drive Highway 29 toward Chetwynd for 25 km from Tumbler Ridge, then take the former Bullmoose Mine road.
After 17 km on the mine road, turn left onto Windfall Creek Forest Service Road.
At the road km 9 junction, continue straight across the small bridge. Cross the pass around km 14.
At km 23, turn left and follow the side road 1.8 km to its end and the signed trailhead.
Parking: The signed start and outhouse are on the right at the end of the side road, before the deactivated Windfall Creek crossing.
From Tumbler Ridge, drive about 25 km north on Highway 29 and turn onto Bullmoose Mine Road. After approximately 17 km, turn left onto Windfall Creek Forest Service Road. Stay straight at the kilometre 9 junction, cross the bridge and continue over the pass around kilometre 14. Turn left near kilometre 23 and follow the side road about 1.8 km to its end at the deactivated Windfall Creek crossing. The trail sign and outhouse are on the right. Use the currently posted radio channel and industrial-road procedures; the steward lists RR32 for this approach.
Map position: 55.02101, -121.61860 · recreation project location. Source-published recreation project point; not verified parking or trailhead.
Follow the forest trail through the damp sections, cross the creek and climb through the open draws.
At the signed junction around 3.5 km, keep right for the direct lake approach.
Climb the steps, then continue on the more level approach into the lake basin.
Follow the forest trail through occasional boggy ground, cross the creek and climb through open draws and meadows. Keep right at the signed junction around kilometre 3.5 for the direct lake approach, climbing the steps before the ground levels near the basin. Return the same way in poor visibility. The optional circular return starts near the southeast camping area and follows tall marked posts uphill beyond treeline, then northeast to a viewpoint and down left through a meadow to reconnect with the main trail. This upper return requires better navigation and weather judgement than the direct route. Pinnacle Peak, the high lake ridge and Tunnel Mountain are additional mountain trips, not automatic parts of the lake walk.
For the ordinary out-and-back, return along the same trail. The posted Circular Route leaves the campsite area near the southeast end of the lake and climbs above treeline; it is a separate, more demanding option for good visibility.
Terrain: alpine.
The alpine ridges are often windy and cloud can arrive quickly. In poor visibility, reverse the direct lake trail instead of attempting the circular alpine return. Snow can conceal posts and junctions early or late in the season.
These are dated research notes. Open the trip planner for current available weather and advisory feeds; no alert found does not establish that a trail or road is open.
The lake has six designated tent pads, food lockers, a washing station and an outhouse in the steward’s description. Campfires are prohibited because of the fragile setting and lack of suitable wood. Use the established sites, carry a stove and pack out waste; confirm current facility condition before relying on it.
A photograph with confirmed reuse permission has not yet been added to this guide.
These galleries stay on their photographers’ original websites.
Choose a trip pack or an available individual sheet for your map case.
Descriptions are written for this guide from the linked evidence. Source review dates, published reports and field observations can differ. Photographs and route lines retain their own attribution and reuse terms.
These contributor-mapped features support the map geometry. They are separate from the written access and route sources.
Short waterfall approach requires crossing Bullmoose Creek; high water can make the route impassable.
Moderate / 1 km · trip basis unconfirmedRead guide →Old exploration roads reach an alpine saddle with north, southwest and summit-ridge choices.
Moderate / 6 km round trip / 330 m gainRead guide →Mostly level forest approach to a canyon-side waterfall viewpoint, with a short side branch to a smaller fall.
Easy / 1.6 km round trip / Approx. 30 m gain · terrain estimateRead guide →Ridge walk reaches a viewing bench, with separate upper-creek and much steeper base options.
Moderate / 3 km round tripRead guide →Long forest backpacking route via Murray River suspension bridge, a limestone ridge and the Cascades area to the lake.
50 km round trip / 465 m gainRead guide →Beyond Monkman Lake the route enters subalpine terrain and requires independent navigation.
60 km round tripRead guide →