Our first day was our easiest; it is 7km/4.3 miles to Kinney Lake with minimal elevation gain (131 m/430 ft). The broad, easy trail immediately entered a lush forest, through which we would hike to Kinney lake, often paralleling the turquoise Robson River. There were signs along the trail and this one described the forest created by Mt. Robson's microclimate:

Mount Robson is higher and more massive than any nearby peak, so it catches more rain and snow. If it weren’t for Mount Robson, this lovely cedar grove wouldn’t be here.

Prevailing westerly winds push moist airmasses toward Mount Robson’s great southwest face. Forced upward thousands of metres, the air cools. Clouds form. Rain and snow fall in greater amounts than normal for the Canadian Rockies: 630 mm of preciptation per year, compared to an average of 400-500 mm. This unusual situation provides the right growing conditions for tree species normally found in wet Columbia Mountains to the west, home of the Interior cedar-hemlock forest.