Joffre Lakes Hike

Route Description for Joffre Lakes Hike

Start from the trailhead start along the only path there is. Within minutes you will find yourself at Lower Joffre Lake. This small lake is only a taste of what you will find at the top. The trail remains fairly wide and is extremely well maintained.

Continue along the path and start the climb. The rest of the trail is a climb up to the other two lakes. After gaining most of the elevation, you will come upon Middle Joffre Lake. From here you can start to see bits and pieces of your final objective – the Matier Glacier sitting above Joffre Lake.

Beyond Middle Joffre Lake the trail deteriorates in quality, with big rocks and roots becoming normal. After a little bit more climbing, during which you will pass a small waterfall, you’ll finally arrive at upper Joffre Lake – the finest of them all! From the north shore – the side in which you’ve arrived – there are stunning view of the Matier Glacier, it’s gorgeous teal color and the massive crevasse which permeates its face.

You will also be able to see Joffre Peak to the left of the Glacier and Slalok Mountain to the right. Mount Taylor will be even further right. All these peaks are totally alpine, rocky, and gorgeous. We advise hiking around the west side of the lake to reach the campground on the southern shore. Here you can get a better look at the glacier, and a look back across the lake.

Want to find more amazing hikes around Whistler? Check out the Garibaldi Lake hike, Panorama Ridge hike or the Black Tusk hike.

Insider Hints for Joffre Lakes Hike

• Parking spots are limited and fill up fast, especially on weekends, when back-ups can be big enough to make news in Vancouver.
• The climb is steep at times, so pace yourself and take care going down.
• We saw several people venturing up to the lake with towels and swimwear. This lake is directly fed by a glacier, and will subsequently be filled with water that was just recently snow and ice. If you choose to go for a swim bring plenty of warm clothes for after!
• Parking on the Highway 99 shoulder to access Joffre Lakes Park is prohibited. There is an additional parking lot across the highway from the trailhead, but parking is limited. Arrive early to increase your chances of securing a parking spot. Check out this page for more information regarding the safety measures in place.