The three Joffre Lakes are some of the most stunning lakes you are likely to ever see. Each lake gets progressively more beautiful and impossibly turquoise from one to the next. By the third lake the intense colour is breathtaking. The mighty Matier Glacier rises above and beyond Upper Joffre Lake, making the experience even more spectacular with such a looming presence.
Very scenic drive to get there from Whistler
Shorter & less challenging than most other trails
Three amazing lakes to marvel at their colour
The campsite is in a very natural setting, few signs
Becomes free of snow & hikeable as early as April
Alpine terrain extends in many directions
One tent site is on an island!
Stunning glacier looms above the campsite
No longer dog friendly as of summer 2018
Overcrowded much of the summer with hikers
Sea to Sky Hiking Trails
Alice Lake
Ancient Cedars
Blackcomb Mountain
Black Tusk
Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Meadows
Brew Lake
Callaghan Lake
Cheakamus Lake
Cheakamus River
Cirque Lake
Elfin Lakes
Garibaldi Lake
Garibaldi Park
Helm Creek
High Falls
Joffre Lakes
Keyhole Hot Springs
Levette Lake
Logger’s Lake
Madeley Lake
Meager Hot Springs
Nairn Falls
Panorama Ridge
Parkhurst Ghost Town
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Lake
Ring Lake
Russet Lake
Sea to Sky Gondola
Sea to Sky Trail
Shannon Falls
Skookumchuck Hot Springs
Sloquet Hot Springs
Sproatt East
Sproatt West
Stawamus Chief
Taylor Meadows
The Lions
Train Wreck
Upper Shannon Falls
Wedgemount Lake
Whistler Mountain
The Joffre Lakes trail is rough and tricky in some parts, but not terribly difficult. It is also short compared to Whistler area trails at just 5.5 kilometres(one way). Hiking at a moderate pace, give yourself 1.5 - 2 hours to get to the third lake and campsites. Lots of trail construction work has been done in the past few years as a new trail has replaced much of the old trail. The old boulder section between the lower and middle lakes has now been covered with a new dirt trail. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is centred around the three Joffre Lakes. All of them are beautiful on their own and each more beautiful than the last. The amazing turquoise colours of the lakes are caused by light reflecting off of the particles of glacial silt suspended in the water. On the trail you will immediately catch glimpses of the massive glaciers that feed these gorgeous lakes. In the winter, with the lakes frozen and the trees weighed down with snow, Joffre Lakes takes on a serene beauty, with the low sun cutting through the trees and the forest brightly reflecting. Upper Joffre Lake ends in a U-shaped valley where you will find the far side of the lake towering with glaciers relentlessly crushing down on the lake. The sun fills the valley and the silence is wonderful. At Upper Joffre Lake there are several nice, though rugged places to camp. In a hilly, lightly forested section of paradise in between the impossibly turquoise Upper Joffre Lake and the abruptly monstrous Matier Glacier descending from Mount Matier beyond. A waterfall cascades near the camping area. The campsite has one nice and well maintained outhouse.
You will notice several clearings for tents in the gravel and boulder strewn landscape. Each one barely enough room for a tent, but the ruggedness adds to the beauty of Joffre Lakes. The park is wonderfully untouched by people. With the exception of the trail, some signs, outhouse and bridges, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is beautifully wild and picturesque. There is also a prominent helicopter pad close by as a reminder of how many injuries occur on the trail and the accessible mountains and glaciers around. There are in fact four distinct glaciers close by, Matier, Anniversary, Stonecrop and Tszil. Beyond Mount Matier there are two more, Twin One and Hartzell. The Joffre Lakes trail is surprisingly busy most of the summer, which is a testament to how extraordinarily beautiful the lakes are, and how relatively easy the hike is. Unlike Wedgemount Lake, Black Tusk or Cirque Lake, which are to difficult for many hikers, Joffre Lakes is comparatively easy and certainly relaxing. Many hikes in the nearby Garibaldi Provincial Park are not family friendly and easy, but Joffre Lakes is. Certainly the scenic drive to the trailhead from Whistler is part of the fun.






More Joffre Lakes Hiking Info at HikeInWhistler.com

