WikiCamps Canada

Joffre Lakes Trail

Point Of Interest

5 from 12 users

Contact

Duffey Lake Road, Lytton, British Columbia

env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/joffre_lks

Description

Steeply rising from Lower Joffre Lake, the glacier-laden peaks are visible from an easily accessible viewpoint 500 metres from the parking lot. If you carry on towards middle and upper Joffre Lakes, the trail becomes steeper and more challenging. Evidence of the parks glacial history can be found in the U-shaped valleys, glacial silts and lateral moraines. This magnificent area of jagged peaks, icefields, cold rushing streams and turquoise blue lakes was established as a recreation area in 1988 and became a Class A park in 1996. A highlight of the park is the turquoise blue waters of Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre lakes, all three of which are located along the trail, and each more stunning than the last. Their striking, saturated blue colour is caused by rockflour or glacial silt that is suspended in the water and reflects green and blue wavelengths of sunlight. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has opportunities for hiking, camping, mountaineering, wildlife viewing, and fishing. No emergency services are available; visitors should be self-sufficient in this remote wilderness environment and properly equipped for self-rescue. Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. Water from lakes or streams should be boiled for at least two minutes. Campfires are not permitted at this park. The glacial fed lakes are very cold and are not recommended for swimming. Expect winter conditions in Joffre lakes from November until the end of May. Persons travelling into Joffre Lake Provincial Park should be properly equipped and experienced in winter travel. Parking on the edges of highway 99 is not permitted. Use designated parking lot only. The parking lot fills very quickly, particularly on the weekends, and a reservation does not guarantee a parking space in the lot. Plan ahead by arriving early. There are no garbage cans in the park, please pack out what you pack in. This is a very high use park and it is busy 7 days per week, extremely busy

Location

Lat: 50.369262 Lng: -122.498645

User Reviews

Christina&Frank on tour

Be there early in the morning and dont forget to register you online for a free permit, there are maximum 1000 People a day allowed and specially on weekends its full!! There is no mobile service in this area so you cant register at the parking lot. Partly very steep but every step worth it! Register: https://bcparks.ca/reserve/day-use/ AND PLEASE, DONT STEP OFF THE TRAILS, DONT FEED ANY ANIMALS AND TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU, DONT BE A DUMBASS LIKE SOME OF THE TOURISTS!

Dingo

What worthwhile hike. The return trip was 7.8k and took my 16 year old son and I 2.5 hours. The trail can get rocky in some parts so good footwear is a must. It poured rain on us the entire time but we still enjoyed every step. It gets the heart rate going for sure but just take your time. From the middle lake to the upper lake was only 20 minutes. The park signs designating time it will take to get to each lake are so far off. It only took us an hour to get to middle lake, not the 2.5 shown on the sign! Final note. You need to book your day for this at discovercamping.ca.