Ptolemy Creek and the Promised Land

This trip has everything... incredible scenery, steep rocky climbs and descents, frigid mountain creek crossing (14 at minimum), gentle dirt paths, mudholes, alpine lakes, waterfalls, caves, alder tunnels... the only problem is that the ride is too short. In the beginning, this trail starts off by crossing Crowsnest Creek in the first few metres and then climbs from the creek to the trail. Don’t be fooled by the warm of the creek, it is the last time your feet will be warm crossing a creek on this trail until the end when you cross Crowsnest Creek again. The trail is a gentle dirt path for the most part except for the rocky sections along the creek from the 1995 flood and a couple steeper hills. After crossing Ptolemy Creek 6 or 7 times the trail arrives at a couple steep rocky hills (the second one is tougher than the first) that you should not be afraid to walk your bike up if necessary. Once on top of the second steep rocky climb you are presented with two options:

The Promised Land-- The option that continues straight goes up the bumpy and rolling dirt path for just over a kilometre before it ends. Once at the end there is a foot path that goes up through the alders and climbs the side of Mt. Ptolemy towards the cavers base camp, Cleft Cave above and to the left, and the notch over which is the Promised Land and its many large caves. This is a steep and effortful climb with a break just before the base camp area. You climb 762m in the 1.8 km between the end of the bike trail and the notch.

The Creek and Lake-- To the left is Ptolemy Creek and a lake at its top end. To get there involves a bit of work. First there is the steep downhill and yet another creek crossing followed immediately with a steep longish climb up and through alder tunnels. This eventually arrives at a flat just prior to a second section of climbing. Once at the top of this second climb you can circle back towards the waterfall you saw from the clearing and arrive at a lake in the cirque above the falls.