Everything You Need to Know to Hike Joffre Lakes
Striking turquoise-blue alpine lakes, snow-capped mountain peaks, dramatic U-shaped valleys, impressive glaciers, and fantastic photo opportunities; here’s our guide on hiking Joffre Lakes. Continue reading for everything you need to know.
Established in 1988, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park rewards visitors with magnificent mountain scenery and great opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing and mountaineering.
Jagged icy peaks rise sharply behind striking turquoise glacial lakes connected by a hiking trail. The intense colour is caused by the ‘rock flour’ or glacial silt being suspended in the water and reflecting the sunlight. This truly is some of Mother Nature’s finest work.
Joffre Lakes have relatively easy access compared to other alpine lakes in the area so, unsurprisingly, this is one of the most popular hikes in British Columbia.
We lived in Whistler, around an hour from the lakes, so decided it was about time to go and see for ourselves if the stories we’d heard about the colours and beauty were true.
In this guide to hiking Joffre Lakes, we’ll break the hike up into five sections; Lower Joffre Lake, Middle Joffre Lake, Upper Joffre Lake, Joffre Lakes Campsite and Matier Glacier and describe each section.
We’ll then share everything you need to know including the best time to visit, how to get to the trailhead, how to book permits and more.
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Contents
Hiking Joffre Lakes
Lower Joffre Lake
We set off on the Joffre Lakes Trail late afternoon as we were camping at Joffre Lakes Campsite and didn’t need to allow for time to hike back.
On leaving the car park, you’ll reach Lower Joffre Lake about five minutes in. We quickly realised the stories we’d heard were true!
You’re already treated to an incredible view from Lower Joffre Lake! Looking up, looming high up in the mountains you’ll see your first glimpse of Matier Glacier. The Joffre Lakes Campsite is located just below this.
This lake is very popular with families as it’s only a 5-minute flat walk from the car park. The climb to Middle Joffre Lake is also not recommended for small children.
Middle Joffre Lake
After spending a little time here, head back the way you came to the junction and turn left. The trail to Middle Joffre Lake is fairly steep, will get your heart pounding and should take around an hour.
Continuing from Lower Joffre Lake, the path begins flat as it runs next to the lakeshore. After crossing a wooden bridge, the trail starts to ascend. The path is well-maintained but rocky in places.
For around 30 minutes, you’ll be in the shade of the trees which is lovely, especially if you’re carrying camping equipment as, although it was 4:30pm, the sun was still very hot!
After half an hour, you’ll come to a clearing with magnificent views across the U-shaped valley back the way you came.
The next section of the Joffre Lakes Trail is steep switchbacks although you head back into the woods so you’re protected from the sun. Make sure to look behind you for incredible views of Lower Joffre Lake in the distance through the trees and across the valley to Cayoosh Mountain.
Continuing on a bit further, the path will level out and you’ll start being able to see the piercing blue of Middle Joffre Lake.
As soon as you reach the lake, there’s a viewpoint with places to sit, enjoy the view of Matier Glacier in the distance and take some photos.
After enjoying the view, follow the shoreline for another minute or so and you’ll come to the iconic floating log you’ll have no doubt seen photos of.
Unless you’re here super early, be prepared to queue for photos! Almost everyone who does this hike wants this photo so you may have to wait a while.
Our Top Tip: if you’re camping, don’t bother queuing. Get up early and take the photo before the day hikers arrive.
If you’re feeling brave, dive in! Be aware the lake is glacial so it’s absolutely freezing! There are some benches on the trail next to the lake for you to sit and enjoy the view.
Upper Joffre Lake
It’ll only take around 15 minutes to reach Upper Joffre Lake.
Continue following the Joffre Lakes Trail around the lake and into the trees. The path ascends slightly and you reach Holloway Falls. From here, climb a short set of stairs and continue up the hill. The path soon flattens out and you’ll cross a bridge and some boardwalks.
Soon enough, you’ll see that same striking blue glistening through the trees. Make sure to stay on the main trail as it’s quite marshy and going off-trail can be damaging to the environment here.
You’ll reach a junction; turn left to reach Upper Joffre Lake Viewpoint. Scramble over the large rocks and you’ll soon reach the lakeshore.
Take a break here and gaze up at the magnificent Matier Glacier hanging from the flanks of Slalok Mountain. Joffre Peak is on the left.
Joffre Lakes Campsite
If you’re camping, you’ll find the Joffre Lakes Campsite on the other side underneath Matier Glacier so make your way to the right of the lake. We’d recommend coming over this way even if you aren’t camping as it’s a lot quieter and away from the crowds.
The path is a lot more rugged and natural here. You’ll have to scramble over boulders and roots and there are lots of ups and downs.
It’ll take around 20-30 minutes to reach Joffre Lakes Campsite on the other side of the lake and this is where the official Joffre Lakes Trail ends.
As soon as the sun goes down, it gets quite chilly so make sure you take plenty of warm layers with you if camping. The lake also completely changes colour once the sun isn’t shining on it.
We’d lost the cover for our tent so we hoped it wouldn’t rain or be too cold. What was a complete surprise to us and what we wouldn’t have seen if we did have the tent cover, was the stars!
Neither of us had seen a shooting star before and here we were lying in bed with them whizzing through the sky every few seconds! It left us completely mesmerised for hours!
So make sure you spend time sitting outside your tent once it’s dark (or lie in bed if you can remove the cover) and watch the shooting stars whizz overhead. Another of Mother Nature’s finest works.
The following morning, we were up at 7am and headed straight to Middle Joffre Lake for the iconic log shot without the crowds.
Matier Glacier
We went back to the tent, had some breakfast and tried to figure out if we could hike up to Matier Glacier.
There isn’t an official trail but you can slightly see a path where people have hiked up before so we followed that. It’s a scramble and uses a lot of energy but definitely worth it.
It’ll take about an hour to reach the glacier and from here, you’re treated to the most incredible view of all three Joffre Lakes lined up between the U-shaped below you and Cayoosh Mountain rising sharply behind.
Enjoy the view up here for a while then head back to the campsite, pack up your tent and make your way down.
To Know Before You Hike Joffre Lakes
How long is the Joffre Lakes Hike?
The Joffre Lakes Hike is a 9.5km round trip not including hiking to Matier Glacier. If completing the hike in a day, allow for 3.5 – 4.5 hours. Five minutes to the first lake, an hour to the second lake and another fifteen minutes to the final lake. 3.5 – 4.5 hours allows for time to enjoy the scenery and take plenty of breaks and photos.
What’s the elevation?
The elevation gain from the car park to Upper Joffre Lake Viewpoint is approximately 400 metres.
What difficulty is the hike rated?
The hike is rated intermediate. It’s not too difficult, the most strenuous section is between the first and middle lake but the path is well-maintained and there are plenty of areas to stop and take a break.
How do I get to the Joffre Lakes Hike?
It’s 62 kilometres From Whistler to Joffre Lakes Provincial Park which will take about an hour. Take the Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) north through Pemberton, continue towards Mt Currie and turn right at the intersection towards Lillooet. About 20km in you’ll see signs for the Joffre Lakes parking lot.
It’s 182 kilometres from Vancouver to Joffre Lakes which will take around 2.5 hours.
The car park is usually full by 9am. Do not park on the side of the road, you will be towed. On select weekends and holidays throughout the summer, there’s a shuttle running from Cayoosh Parking Lot, located about 2km north of Joffre Lakes.
There’s limited capacity so still arrive early to avoid disappointment. The shuttle costs $10 per person and a portion of seats can be reserved online at a discounted rate of $7.
If driving isn’t an option, you can book a day trip and the guide will pick you up in Vancouver or Squamish (45 minutes south of Whistler).
Can I take my pooch?
Unfortunately not.
Toilets
Toilets are located at the trailhead, Middle Joffre Lake, Upper Joffre Lake and the Joffre Lakes Campsite.
Campsite bookings and permits
You don’t need to book Joffre Lakes Campsite but bear in mind it’s first come first serve. We arrived quite late so there weren’t any actual camping spots left and we had to pitch up on a flat area. You do need a backcountry permit from BC Parks though.
You also need a Day-Use Pass from BC Parks for the Joffre Lakes Hike which helps to manage visitor levels and protect the area. You’ll need to show this at the start of the trail or you won’t be allowed to hike.
When’s the best time to hike Joffre Lakes?
June to September are the best months to visit for the weather and the lakes’ piercing blue colour. You can hike Joffre Lakes in the winter but make sure you have sufficient equipment.
What should I take?
- Suitable footwear – hiking shoes or boots NOT flip-flops or sandals like some people were wearing!
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Layers – the weather can be unpredictable and if camping, as soon as the sun goes down, it’s chilly
- Hiking poles
We hope this post on camping at and hiking Joffre Lakes has been useful. Drop us a comment or contact us if you have any other questions.