Into the Backcountry: Chasing Berg Lake

This summer, BC Parks finally re-opened the trail to Berg Lake after having closed it for 4 years for trail maintenance. So, when I managed to secure the highly sought after passes this spring, I was beyond excited. For me, growing up and photographing in these mountains, this hike was a rite of passage.

On August 11, 2025, with a group of friends, my partner, Matt, and I put on our packs and stepped into Mount Robson Provincial Park. Twenty-one kilometers of rugged terrain lay ahead, but so did one of the most iconic backcountry camps in the Canadian Rockies.

We both love the process of documenting our adventures, me through photography and Matt through filmmaking, but on a long trek like this, traveling light is essential. Every ounce in the pack matters, and that makes choosing gear wisely more important than ever.

This is the story of three days in the backcountry—full of heavy miles, dramatic changes in weather, belly laughs, instant noodles and the kind of landscapes that keep you coming back to the mountains again and again.

Day 1: The Long Trek In

The first day was a grind—19km from the trailhead to Marmot Campground at the foot of Berg Lake. The first part of the trek found us passing Kinney Lake, with its surreal turquoise water, and stopping for lunch at Whitehorn Campground, about halfway in. The break was much needed—giving our backs and shoulders a chance to recover before the steep climb began (500m up in only 4km).

From there, we pushed up the main portion of elevation along the trail to reach Emperor Falls. After a year of heavy rain, the waterfall was more powerful than I’d ever seen it, roaring over the cliffs in a massive plume. The mist was so thick it drenched us head to toe and soaked through our packs in seconds.

Even in those conditions, I never had to second-guess my gear. The ProMaster Rugged SD cards handled the moisture and spray without issue, giving me the confidence to shoot right there in the thick of it. Knowing my images were safely stored allowed me to focus on capturing the sheer power of the falls. By the time we reached camp, our feet were sore and our legs were spent, but the view of Robson’s glaciers towering above made every step worth it.

Day 2: Sunrise, Berg Lake, and Sunset on the Ridge

The next morning, a moody sunrise painted Marmot Campground in shifting tones of gray, blue and gold. After coffee by the lakeshore, we packed up for the short 2km hike to Berg Lake Campground. Compared to the day before, it felt almost effortless, and the reward was unreal: the jagged face of Mount Robson and, finally, a full view of the glacier that the lake is named after.

We spent the afternoon soaking it all in—wandering along the shoreline, stretching our legs after the big push on day one and preparing for the summit sunset mission ahead. Late-afternoon came and we climbed up to the overlook viewpoint to hopefully capture the sunset. Though we never got full-sun or dramatic golden glow, seeing the lake and glaciers from above was one of those rare, grounding moments that puts everything into perspective and makes you feel so small.

When it came to capturing those moments amidst the dramatic weather changes, the HGX Prime Variable ND filter became a quiet hero of the trip. It allowed Matt to quickly adapt his video settings to the ever-changing weather and lighting conditions so that he could effectively tell his story, all without having to carry multiple heavy filters. One filter, slim and durable, replaced half a pouch of extras and, on a trek like this one, every bit of weight matters.

Day 3: Rain, Miles, and the Long Road Home

The final morning greeted us with rain tapping on the tent fly. Because sunrise was a bust, we took a slower morning, packing up our bags, making breakfast in the cook shelter and reminiscing on the last few days.

When we couldn’t put it off any longer, we began the 21km hike out. The first half was wet and gray (we even walked through a short thunderstorm at one point), but by the time we reached Kinney Lake again, the skies opened into blue. Our spirits lifted with the clearing weather, and we retraced our steps back to the trailhead—tired, sore, but feeling deeply fulfilled.

Hiking out, I kept thinking about how this trip had pushed us. The long approach, the unpredictable weather, the weight of our packs—every challenge had been matched by beauty that can’t be found anywhere but deep in the backcountry.

Conclusion

As we drove away from Mount Robson, I knew this wouldn’t be the last time I’d make the trek to Berg Lake. Trips like this are about more than just reaching a destination—they’re about the small moments along the journey and the people you share those moments with.

For us, lightweight, reliable gear made all the difference. The HGX Prime Variable ND filter let Matt pack light without sacrificing creative flexibility, and the Rugged SD cards gave me confidence that every moment was safely stored. Not having to worry about gear meant we could fully sink into the experience itself—laughing with friends, soaking in the views, and being present in one of the most breathtaking places on earth.