Gorman Lake
Gorman Lake
4
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The perfect day hike place for a picnic, some fly fishing or an overnight adventure this 90 min hike ends in a picturesque lake nestled in the Alpine.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
25 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
4
grizz2017
Vancouver, Canada3 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
Awesome experience and well worth the "effort". Reading the whining reviews about the road make me sick. This is a logging road that turns into a rough, rocky road!!! What are you expecting? If these type of people had their way the road would be paved and a thousand cars would be up and down every day. Yes..this is grizzly and black bear country...so be aware and don't drop garbage all over on your way in and out. If you want to experience rugged mtn conditions, then do the hike and drive a proper vehicle up here. If you want smooth paved roads go to Lake Louise...PLEASE!! We don't want Gorman or any other lake in our mtns ruined by spoiled, whiny brats!
Written March 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1Raff
West Midlands, UK18 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Hiked to Gorman Lake on the 6/10/17. If you’re looking for a detailed guide to the trail head visit goldenhikes.ca As per previous reviewers I can confirm that the road leading up to the beginning of the trail is quite rough and better suited to 4x4 vehicles. We went up in a Nissan Murano and it was just fine. The trail is easily spotted and guides you through the forest. Once you get to the bolder field it gets a bit more tricky. There was a lot of snow up there already and finding the trail wasn’t easy. We did sink in knee deep on numerous occasions and nearly gave up! So glad we didn’t. The lake is stunning, a beautiful, wild little hideaway. We would have loved to spend some time there but with the freezing cold and changing weather conditions (and the dreaded, snow covered bolder field on the return journey) we thought it best to have a quick lunch, snap a few panoramic and head back. All in all it took us just over 3 hours plus 1.5 for the drive up. A must do experience!
Written October 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Delia
Munich, Germany283 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Not very populated, great nature, we did the trail twice in 2009 and then 2013. The way up to the start of the trail was washed out and good we had a 4Wheel drive. The trail itself is well maintained, but traces od bears along the hike. The trail is not steep, but you need some condition, there are some stoney sections, but nothing to worry about. In 2009 we even saw a grizzly approaching us from the other side of the lake. I would recommend this trail for a group. Not sure how a local sees it, but despite the well maintained trail, you are a bit away from the town. The lake is wonderful. The mountains as well. The outhouse was destroyed by an avanlanche in 2013. Check about the road condition up to the trail start before you decide to walk this trail. As said, it was pretty rough in Oct 2013.
Written May 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
COA01
Golden, British Columbia7 contributions
Jul 2021
Be advised. There is active logging and mining on the access road. You must carry a radio to avoid dangerous situations. The road is also washed out beyond the switchbacks. A high clearance vehicle is a must. The hike is closer to 2hrs up and 1.5hrs back. It is a day mission.
I work on the road daily and see a lot of vehicles towed out. It's a beautiful lake but there are a lot of other lakes easier to get to. Don't ruin your vacation due to lack of preparedness. There is no one out there to help you.
I work on the road daily and see a lot of vehicles towed out. It's a beautiful lake but there are a lot of other lakes easier to get to. Don't ruin your vacation due to lack of preparedness. There is no one out there to help you.
Written July 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SDPandCGP
55 contributions
Aug 2020
The hike and lake looked amazing but unfortunately we couldn’t get there due to the terrible road conditions. An off-road/high-clearance vehicle is an absolute must - not just recommended - unless you want to ruin your undercarriage. We got half up the road and ended up having to turn around which was tricky. Ended up scratching the paint on our new Ford Escape on the prickly bushes when turning around. Do not attempt to go here without an off-road vehicle. There really should be signs at the initial lake sign to notify of the road conditions/vehicle access requirements, as well as a large secondary sign past the golf course incase someone missed the first sign.
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky T
Golden, Canada14 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
So just so everyone knows, the approach to get to the trail head for the Gorman Lake hike is crazy long and quite treacherous if you don't have a 4X4 vehicle. We searched 4-5 sites looking for directions and NONE of them said anything of this. It is AT LEAST 20km past the golf course on a dirt road that is very very rocky. It is not marked well at all (at one point there was scratched in writing on a sign with an arrow point saying Gorman) there are a couple small signs that say "Rec Trail" along the way, and one broken outhouse, keep you eyes peeled for those! Once you get to a wooden bridge (that is rotten and "holes-a-plenty") you know you are still on the right path. We didn't want to cross the sketchy rotten bridge with our car so we left it. Apparently porcupines eat tires so beware....it was still another 5km in switchbacks to the trail head. Unfortunately we had to give up before even getting there as it took so long! I just thought I'd post because I'm sure it's totally worth the treck, but just be aware of what you are getting into and how long it will take 😊 Happy and Safe hiking!!!
Written June 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GregRogue
44 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
We hike Gorman lake every year when we visit. And it is always interesting and different in a way. We've done it in 30degree weather, in 10degree, in early summer, mid & late summer and even early fall. Go early in the day and pack a lunch, not 'cus it's a long hike but because you'll want to stay up there a while. The access is rough. Maybe don't drive up there in a sub-compact. An SUV is a better idea, but don't think that you need a Land Rover either. Once you're at the trailhead the fun starts. That high-pitched whistling noise that you might hear is a Hoary Marmot warning his colony that people are near. Keep your eyes out in the parking lot and then later in the talus field for this quinea pig on steroids. You might also see pikas, (small rabbit looking critters), and possibly mountain goats high up on the canyon walls. The trail itself goes through four distinct mountain terrains. First is a reasonably level climb up the former logging road through an old, regrowing clear-cut. Then you'll go through a mature forest alongside a stream. After comes a strenuous climb on the trail across a rock slide (Talus field). There's a stair-like trail marked by small rock cairns. (Caution: One year there was a snow field across part of the talus field. If you decide to cross and slip, you'll have a 300yd toboggan ride ending in boulders. I roped my then 10yr old to me and slowly kick-stepped across). Don't forget to look up and around. The peaks are Tolkienesque rising straight up above you. The last stage is up over a moraine-like hump and then you're there. A gorgeous alpine tarn putting Lake Louise to shame. You might hear small trout splashing on the surface. There are picnic tables and a couple of tent pads, as well as a new outhouse. (Use it, the flora this high up is sensitive). There is a trail all the way around the lake but it's longer than it looks and I've never done it. You can also hike from the back of the lake to the gondola at Kicking Horse but it is supposedly a difficult hike and I've never done it. Anyone can park at Lake Louise and see the lake (just you and 4,000 other tourists). This you have to earn a little but my wife did it a year after a hip-replacement and my kids hardly sweat. This is Grizzly country so take bear-spray, make noise (kids make that easy), and be smart. For detailed access and trail descriptions try www.goldenhikes.ca which is a fantastic resource for hiking in the area. I'm already looking forward to next year's trip!
Written August 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gregwall1
Keswick, VA44 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Beautiful hike to Gorman Lake June 18, 2013, but the snow was too deep to get to the lake! Beautiful hike though.
Written June 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roving278705
10 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
This is not an easy hike so I wouldn't take little children or anyone who can't physically handle uneven footing. We hiked through bush and over several little streams. Someone has built some footbridges so you wont get your feet wet unless you want to. We also hiked over a rocky section that is inhabited by marmots. When we reached the little glacial lake, we went for a paddle in the canoe someone hauled up behind a skidoo one winter. Pretty cool.😎
We took the wrong road on our first attempt so make sure when you come to a spot in the road where it splits 3 ways, take the middle road! The signage could be improved.
The hike took us about an hour to go up to the lake and half that coming down. It's a great activity to do with teens. This is an amazing little piece of paradise that makes me happy to be a Canadian.
We took the wrong road on our first attempt so make sure when you come to a spot in the road where it splits 3 ways, take the middle road! The signage could be improved.
The hike took us about an hour to go up to the lake and half that coming down. It's a great activity to do with teens. This is an amazing little piece of paradise that makes me happy to be a Canadian.
Written September 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah N
7 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
My favourite walk whilst staying at Golden. I think a 4 wheel drive is a must. Absolutely stunning, Take a picnic
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We’re based in Golden and would love to hike to Gorman Lake but can’t find the access road to the trail head. Can anyone tell me where it is? Thank you
Written October 6, 2017
Glad you enjoyed it, hope the directions were easy to follow. It is a great hike and not one to be missed if you are in the area :) I can see how the boulders would be a bit interesting in the snow. Have fun in Banff, lots of great hikes there too!
Written October 9, 2017
My review says, "mounting", not mountain..
Its funny...but not correct!
Thanks!
Written August 19, 2015
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