Joffre Lakes Park

Joffre Lake is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful lakes in British Columbia. The stunning turquoise color of the water gives the lake a unique and magical appearance. The surrounding glaciers add to the breathtaking scenery, making it a must-visit destination. However, be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in warm weather, so don’t forget to bring insect repellent. The hike to the lake is fantastic and well-maintained. The entire round trip takes about 3.5 hours. After about 1.5 hours of hiking, you’ll reach the second lake, which is incredibly beautiful. It’s the perfect spot to sit, relax, and enjoy your lunch while taking in the gorgeous views.

This place is absolutely surreal and easily one of the most beautiful trails I’ve ever hiked. We reserved a park pass online 48 hours before our trip, which made planning easy. The trail isn’t overly long, taking us about 4 hours round trip, including plenty of stops and a nice break at the top. We went on a weekday, and it was pretty busy, so I can only imagine how crowded weekends might get. Layers are essential, as are good hiking boots and hiking poles—they made all the difference. Near the parking lot, there’s a small lake called Lower Lake. The longest part of the hike is the stretch between Lower Lake and Middle Lake, which has some challenging sections. However, as an occasional hiker, I was able to handle it without too much difficulty. Once you reach Middle Lake, it’s a short trek to Upper Lake, and you don’t want to miss it—it’s breathtaking. Overall, this was such a fun and rewarding hike. The views were spectacular, especially on an overcast day, which added to the moody, picturesque atmosphere. Honestly, no photos could ever do it justice.

One of the best places I have visited in the world. The views are beyond imagination. The 5 km hike one way is a bit difficult because of the incline but the views are totally worth it. Getting down is easy comparatively. Do not miss visiting the Upper Lake because views keep on getting beautiful as you reach the upper Lake. The experience is out of this world. Such a breathtakingly beautiful. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is a stunning area located in British Columbia, Canada. It's known for its three vivid turquoise glacier-fed lakes along a hiking trail that leads through alpine forests and past waterfalls up to stunning vistas of glaciers and peaks. It's a popular spot for hiking, camping, and photography, offering breathtaking natural beauty. Highly recommended place.

Joffre Lakes is a breathtaking destination, with its stunning glacier views and crystal-clear, bluish waters. The beauty of the first lake is easily accessible, just a 5-minute walk from the trailhead. The second lake, though more challenging due to the steep elevation gain, rewards hikers with even more spectacular scenery. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it to the second hike because we arrived late, but the first lake alone made the trip worthwhile. The park features three beautiful lakes, each offering unique views. In the summer, a reservation and park pass are required, but in the winter season, no reservation is needed. Arriving early is key to enjoying the best views without the crowds. Overall, Joffre Lakes is a must-see for nature enthusiasts!

a wonderful park to enjoy an intermediate of hiking to the third lake. the color of the water is very beautiful! In real is better! Wow 🤩 I have never seen cleaner water in my life. And the trail is very diverse and interesting with different surfaces. stairs and roots, bridges and stones. the views are amazing! and chipmunks are funny and cute. For those who like it a little more difficult, you can still go after the third lake straight to the waterfall and snow. Very friendly and helpful staff (were on shift with Flor and Rafael). thank you for a wonderful day! 😍

Very beautiful park, clean and preserved nature. There are 3 lakes. The first one is an easy 5 minute walk. The second one and the last are 1.5 hrs and 30 minutes, respectively, in a pretty stip trail. It could be a little challenging for the casual hiker, but totally worth the views! Can be done in a sunny day/low amount of rains. It is recommended to me bring enough water for the hike. The crew on site was super nice and everything was clean and preserved. Really recommended!

Please note: you HAVE to be reasonably fit to follow this trail to the third lake. For context: I’m 70kg, run 8min/mile 10ks twice a week and am 58. This is only for context, that from lake one to two, be prepared for a very steep climb. Do have good foot wear for outdoor purposes and take at least 2 litres of water with you. Take your time, small steps and you’ll make it to the second lake. Holloway falls is awesome as is the final push to the third lake for stunning views of glaciers! Just be warned, this is not an easy trail but the views are worth the effort.

Joffre Lakes is an absolute must-visit for anyone seeking breathtaking natural beauty in BC. The hike to all three lakes – Lower, Middle, and Upper Joffre Lakes – spans about 10 km round-trip with a 370-meter elevation gain. While Lower Joffre Lake is just a quick 5-minute walk from the parking lot and has nice views, it can’t compare to the incredible scenery at the Middle and Upper Lakes. Middle Joffre Lake, the true gem of the trio, offers stunning turquoise waters that have to be seen to be believed. The color comes from glacial silt, which reflects light in a unique way. Upper Joffre Lake, though slightly more challenging to reach, is also impressive, with spectacular views of Matier Glacier and the surrounding peaks at an elevation of about 1,600 meters. The hike itself is moderate, with sections that can be steep and rocky, but it’s well worth the effort for the unforgettable scenery. If you’re looking for a rewarding adventure and some of the best views in BC, Joffre Lakes is the place to go. Make sure to bring good hiking shoes, plenty of water, and a camera to capture the incredible landscapes along the way!

Flawless Joffre Lakes Provincial Park! Recommended to me by friendly hikers I met at Glacier National Park of Canada and again bumping into them while at Mount Revelstoke NP. JOFFRE LAKES = BEST ACTIVITY I did on my 2023 journey throughout Canada! To access Joffre Lakes Park, you must make a reservation online at least 2 days prior to your visit. The website is - bcparks.ca. And conveniently, when I pulled up Joffre Lakes on Google Maps, I was immediately directed to the website with zero hassles in booking a pass for the day. Booking a reservation starts at 7am - Pacific Time. Surprisingly, I had my choice of a Thursday or Friday at the end of June. I couldn't believe there were available passes for both days in peak summertime. Usually when a landmark destination now has to be limited to a certain number of visitors per day (think Zion, Yosemite and Glacier NP's) that usually means the popularity of the park is so great that passes sell out the moment they're available! So, when I logged onto bcparks.ca at 7am, there were passes to be had and it's absolutely free to book! There are 3 lakes to explore at Joffre. They are the Lower, Middle and Upper Lakes. After passing through the Ranger Station at 8am and displaying my day pass - QR Code, I immediately approached Lower Joffre Lake within 5 minutes. For morning time, the lake had a glowing reflection with a light yellow, green and gold coloring to the water. It wasn't turquoise blue, but the Middle and Upper Lakes are pristine blue!! Now here's where the hiking and elevation come into play. For the Middle and Upper Lakes, you will be climbing hard for almost 3 - 4 kilometers. And that should take 2 - 2.5 hours in first arriving at Middle Lake. Middle Lake was gorgeous. It is the prized centerfold piece to Joffre! It took my breath away! It was peaceful and colorfully blue. I had this out of body moment where I felt like I was running around with my head cut off trying to photograph the best aspects of it! Simply put, I was in awe! There's a clearing of trees and bushes beside the middle part of Middle Joffre Lake. Everyone who was hiking was now sitting down, eating lunch and enjoying the views. I grabbed as many pics as I optimistically could before hiking 1 more kilometer to Upper Joffre Lake. On the way to Upper Joffre Lake, you pass by a terrific waterfall called Holloway Falls. It's definitely worthy of a photo or video. Holloway Falls gushes down the mountainside without a hindrance. It's a beautiful thing to see in nature. Now finally at Upper Joffre Lake, it is very picturesque with blue reflections illuminating the lake. I will admit, and I don't know why, but Middle Lake was just better and more colorful. Upper Joffre Lake was great, but I was on a natural high from the Middle Lake. There are plenty of giant boulders to sit down on and enjoy the views at Upper Joffre. Again, hikers were resting after the difficult hike to get here. What I did was hike around Upper Joffre Lake because...in morning time, the sun from the trail looked me straight in the face. So, I thought if I could reach the opposite side of the lake, I'd reap the rewards of having the sun at my back and poetically reflecting onto Upper Joffre. For hiking around Upper Joffre, just follow the Campground Pathway around the lake and then the exploring is at your own accord, choose your own adventure and enjoy. Best thing about the Campground Path (which, btw, is 1 kilometer long), is it steers you clear from the hectic crowds and people taking too many selfies and family photos. At the other side of Upper Joffre Lake, I was able to climb on top of the rocks making my way towards a wonderful splashing waterfall off the side of a cliff! The moment certainly reminded me of one of Yosemite's grand waterfalls. I also noticed other adventurous hikers climbing to the "toe" of a glacier far in the distance. Then finally, from this opposite side of Upper Joffre Lake, I was able to grab a panoramic perspective of the entire lake in one snapshot. Only problem was that some clouds set in, and the lake was no longer colorful. Oh well, in that moment, I was humbled by the experience and felt ready to return back down the mountain. Lastly, on the return hike I was able to capture any last-minute pictures I may have missed upon first starting out. But, when it's not sunny and the lakes aren't glistening, the aura and invincibility of Joffre Lakes dissipates. Just saying, lol, from my Pov. The hike back down wasn't difficult only taking 90 minutes. When I finally returned to the trailhead, I had been gone for 7 hours or half the day. In the end, I was grateful to have discovered Joffre Lakes Provincial Park on a whim through talking with random friendly hikers. This was a really memorable day and who doesn't love turquoise blue lakes!!!

We have wanted to go to Joffre for years but always felt the kids were maybe a bit too young. That said there were plenty of kids on the route but they day we went was raining and the climb between the middle and upper lakes was very slick and very slippery, especially on the way down and even experienced hikers were being very cautious. There are also some really quite steep parts so I am glad we waited until they were older. It's a hike that most can accomplish - just be aware that there are some steep parts that l saw people struggle with - BUT it is ABSOLUTELY worth it! The views keep getting better and better. The first lake - lower lake is less than 5 minutes in and is a large, serene body of water. The second lake was in our opinion . In had that stunning blue green color with a snow capped mountain as it's back drop. It's one of the most beautiful things we have seen. The third lake is large, it was raining pretty heavily by the time we got there which disrupted the color a little but it's still a stunning view that is with the hike. We did the entire hike in a little over 3 hours which was not bad at all given the slippery conditions. It's a beautiful place and well worth a visit

Breathtaking views of water, trees, glaciers, mountains! We took a hike with a family of eight including one baby who rode along the whole time. The hike from the parking lot to the second lake took us an hour and a half and we were exhausted when we arrived, but the view was worth the work! Make sure to pack water and be prepared for a legitimate hike. This is not a walk in the park!

I could say it was the best way to celebrate Canada day. Intermediate hiking course and looking glacier, have a lunch in the magnificent nature. Zero cost! Why you don't try it? We arrived the parking around 8:30am and it was about 20% packed. 1. In 5 min from start, you will see first lake. 2. After 1.5h hike, you will see the second lake. There are some photo shooting spots. Don't stay only one spot. 3. 20 min walk from the second lake, you will see the third lake. 4. 30 min walk from the third lake, we can find camping site.(it's option!) Maybe it's closest to the glacier. I enjoyed the pure glacier water before it ran into the lake. Around camping site, water coloure is more whitish and kinda jade. There are some toilets(toilet seat and HOLE) but very disgusting. Bring alcohol wipe and some paper just in case if you need to have your business in the bush.

IMPORTANT - You need to get a pass to do the Hike. The pass is free, but you have to be quick. Tickets can be booked starting at 7 AM, two days in advance of your planned visit. You need one pass per hiker. I am not a hiker, my idea of hiking is walking up a hill... but I managed to do this hike. There were parts where I felt like I was going to die, but after lots of breaks to catch my breath, and taking a steady pace, I made it all the way to 3rd lake. The near death experience was totally worth the view. It was simply breathtaking. A couple things I learned on this hike... Bring lots of water and some snacks. 2nd and 3rd lake are beautiful spots to relax and have a bite. Spray mosquito repellent before you start, these buggers are EVERYWHERE. Bring some toilet paper and hand sanitizer... There are outhouses, but no paper or hand washing stations. Bring a light jacket. You warm up while you're actively hiking, but it gets a little chilly while you sit by the water to admire the view. Would I do this hike again? Maybe. I might need a year or so to recover before I go again.

First of, you need a pass to do the hike. The pass is free but you have to go on line the day before your planned hike. Do it early as they do limit the number of people. There is somewhere there checking you have done this. The hike is so worth doing. Even in a torrential downpour like it was for us. The first lake is only about 500 meters from the parking lake. The hike up to the second lake is about 3 km and it is a steady climb. Then the third lake is about 1 km past that. We walked further along to the campground which was about another km. Not sure you need to go that extra distance if you are doing it in the rain. The trail itself is well kept. As I said you are climbing but it other than one section between lake 1 & 2, it is not too steep. I would say it would be doable for most levels of fitness - you just might be slower and need more rest breaks if you don't do a lot of hiking. Absolutely beautiful views at all the lakes, and this was on a rainy day. I can just imagine how stunning it would look on a sunny day.

It's around 3 hour drive from the city but it's worth the view! We woke up at 5 and got to the parking lot around 8:30 am. This is a very popular hiking place so it's easier to find parking if you come earlier. We just walked past the first lake and went straight to the 2nd and 3rd lake. There are bathroom outpost on the trail but bring some hand sanitizer as they don't have any. If you have time, stop by the 2nd lake (middle lake) and take picture on the log. Everyone does it! So why not? There might be a line though. At the upper lake, there is a nice view of the lake and glacier up on the mountain. It's worth hiking up all the way. My friend brought a stove and kettle and 4L of water along and we made cup noodles up at the top. There are a lot of mosquito on the trail! Like A LOT! And they are HANGRY! Bring some mosquito repellent if you don't want to end up being an all you can eat buffet for 3 hours.

Wow, this hike was tough, but SO worth it. I didn't do my research beforehand, so I was not expecting a 1.5 hr hike up. It was pretty tiring, but there's a good amount of shade. The view coming up on the second lake is amazing. It makes you forget how difficult and terrible the first part is. I'm 5 months postpartum/c-section, and I got to the top, so most people will be able to do so!

[18/100] Does this place use CGI?! It's surreal how breathtaking the view is and the hike is even better! It's about three hours north of Vancouver and one or two hours from Whistler. The drive is mostly incline so I would advise an all wheel drive.The incline especially getting closer to the park gets steep! Parking is free and the lot is fairly large but it can get packed! There is a smaller parking lot about half a mile, south bound which is also free if the main parking lot gets full. The road isn't paved, so keep that in mind. They have an outhouse that's co-ed. I don't recall a sink so my hand sanitizer helped! There's signs everywhere and a map so hikers will know exactly where to go. There are three lakes and the last lake is the most challenging hike but it's worth it! The first lake is about 20 steps away from the beginning of the trail. I recommend this place to everyone and anyone! It's free and I have yet to see anything parallel it! Pros: - Free parking - Not too far from Vancouver and close to Whistler. - A nice drive Cons: - The outhouse is on top of a hill and the bottom of the toilet looks like a black hole. It super scary! Be careful! - Parking can run out. What to bring: - Camera - Hand wipes and/or hand sanitizer - Good hiking shoes - Light sweater - Swimming suit (IF ITS SUMMER)

Have to see it with your own eyes to believe It's so beautiful and breathtaking. But You have to plan your trip early to get to the top. And expect traffic delays We started at 12 noon a bit late and the traffic stuck to get here is very long bumper to bumper on a September long weekend. Just 1/2 hr stopped at Shannon fall and 1/2hr spend at the lake we didn't get home till 7:45pm (So instead of 2.5 hr to get there it took us 4 hrs extra just sitting in the traffic jam)

If you're staying near Whistler or close to Pemberton, this is a great place to venture out and take a hike. First things first, the mosquitos are NO JOKE here in the summer months. I was dumb and didn't bring insect repellent but as there are three lakes to visit on this hike there are large swarms of mosquitos that huddle near the water's edge waiting for some tasty morsels of animal blood to devour. Don't be a victim. I got here around 11am and the main parking lot was full but don't worry there is another parking area across the road and down a ways that you can park in. Honestly, I'd say you probably should park there as it's easier to get out of that lot as opposed to the main lot. They have vault toilets before you head out on the trail and a decent map to take note of so that you know where you're going. You might not need it since it's really only one course and....it's all...up....hill. The first lake is very close to the parking lot, maybe about 1/2 of a mile/50 meters). The first lake was where I knew I was in trouble with the mosquitos. They tore me up..big time! Of course,​ it doesn't itch right away but just wait. I did spend a decent amount of time swatting and smacking my skin along the hike because mosquitos are super sneaky. Nonetheless, the first lake was gorgeous. It's just a taste of the lakes to come. The sun hadn't come out fully yet so it didn't give off the super fluorescent green-blue hue that you often see in pics. Due to the mosquitos, I​ hurriedly made my way to get back on the trail to the second lake. The sign says it's 1.86 miles/3km from the ​first lake to the​ ​ second lake. It's 2.49 miles/4 km from the​ ​first lake t​o the third lake. It seemed like the trail was at a 45 degree angle the entire 2.5 ish miles. There are also steps within the angle of the trail. I believe it's about 1300 elevation gain. I'm not going to lie, this trail is tough but not too tough. I would say it's definitely not a beginner hike. It's a beautiful hike though. There are lots of points where you just look out at the surrounding mountains and lush hillsides and it's just very peaceful. The trail wasn't super busy even at 11am-12pm. People were pretty courteous but a lot of people don't understand yielding the right-of-way or allowing faster hikers the right to pass, but just be patient. Take your time and don't rush. You are out in nature remember. Enjoy it! There is no water on or near the trail that is drinkable so make sure you bring enough water and maybe a few snacks. Surprisingly, I made it to the ​second lake in about an hour but some people that I passed on the trail took about 2-2.5 hours. Once you get to the ​second lake, take time to enjoy it. There really aren't words to describe​ accurately how marvelous the color of the lake is. Don't fret if the sun isn't out right away, it should peek out from the behind the clouds and you can see the shine of the lake of antifreeze. Just kidding it's not that green but more blue-green. I thought there would be a lot of selfie sticks and Instagrammers​ blocking all the view but people were actually ENJOYING nature without just trying to take pics. Just lovely! I decided not to go to the ​third lake because seeing the​ ​ second lake was actually enough for me, plus I wanted to get back to the border by around 6pm so I had a bit of a time crunch. It's only about another mile from the second lake though just in case you decide to keep going. Overall, I will definitely be back if I'm in the area and do a few other hikes probably in Garibaldi or near the Wedgemount glacier. It's a wonderful drive to get there, a calm and clean hike, and a spectacular surprise ending once you get to each of the lakes.

We decided to come in the afternoon and hopefully avoid the crowds. We started our hike at 2;45. This is not for the faint of heart. The first lake is a quick easy 10 min walk from the parking area. From there it is a steep uphill climb to middle lake but soooo worth the effort. There are some areas of stairs and other rocky paths and it does get steep at many parts. We stopped at middle lake for a late lunch and to enjoy the view. It really is breathtaking with the blue/green glacial lake, the glaciers in the distance and the blue sky. There is an outhouse just past the picnic area and over the bridge. We continued on our way to upper lake. It is a shorter climb but still a little strenuous. There is a waterfall just off the trail that is worth a look. It is so beautiful amongst the trees. Just about the time we were arriving at the top of the trail it started to hail. They were pea sized ice balls but still they stung. It rained a little too but was a short storm. We didn't walk all the way around to the campground as there was some thunder and lightning. We started our hike back down and by the time we got to the middle lake it had stopped. The temperature had dropped by about 10 degrees. We continued our hike down and didn't encounter any problems. We took 4 hours to do the hike to upper lake and back, including stopping for lunch and lots of pictures along the way. We liked hiking later in the day as most of the people we saw in the parking lot were leaving so we pretty much had the trails to ourselves. Also be aware once you pass the town of Pemberton cell phone coverage will drop off. There is no service during the hike in all of Joffre Lakes Park.

Beautiful hike! Challenging enough with elevation to feel accomplished at the end. Lakes are a beautiful shade of green/blue. About 5 miles. Great views.

The most difficult and the most tiring hike for an inexperienced hiker like me but the views are the most beautiful I have ever seen. It took us a good 3 hours hiking to Upper Lake because we stopped by the Middle Lake for about half an hour to take more photos . Definitely my favorite hike. I love the glacier lakes .

Length: 10 km. ~4 hours round trip. Difficulty: Moderate for an average person. Low fitness level persons will be challenged. There is quite a bit of elevation to get to the 2nd and 3rd lakes. It starts off easy but after a ~km, the climbing never really lets up. Pets: No dogs allowed Sights: Absolutely STUNNING of a hike. Very green on the way up. Half way up, there is a clearing which gives you a nice view of the expansive mountain sides. -The 1st lake is only 10 minutes in and is a good introduction but nowhere near as beautiful as the others, so keep going! -The 2nd lake is beautiful but small in comparison to the last lake. Look for the long log that extends into the lake for a neat photo op. On a clear day, you can see the mountain top from here. -The 3rd lake is absolutely worth the effort and a sight to behold. Very large and expansive. The water is a beautiful turquoise color and clear. The backdrop is dominated by the glacier topped mountain. Don't even think about not completing the trail! FYI: Yes, it's a busy trail. Really busy. If you can go early, you should. Otherwise, parking will be difficult and the lakes will be crowded. Summary: Overall, this trail is MUST visit. The drive up from Vancouver is amazing in itself. The trail is nothing else but rewarding. This trail is a fantastic example of how beautiful BC is so make time for it if you can.

This park is one of the most beautiful parks in the BC Parks system. There are 3 amazingly beautiful Glacier lakes and great views of the three glaciers that run into this lake system! The trail is very rugged and will be hard for some people and should only be attempted if you are in good physical condition. The first lake is easily accessible though for those that just want a taste what this park offers. The distance from Metro Vancouver may be a deterrent for some of you (not me but maybe you) so you could always stay in Pemberton or even backpack into the park. Joffre Lakes is one of the places that are just as beautiful in the rain as it is in the sun. So set aside a day and hit the trail and be prepared to be amazed!

Joffre lake was definitely worth the 3hr drive up from Vancouver. Make sure you make a pitstop at Pemberton to use the washroom before heading up because once you arrive at Joffre Lake, there is only two outhouses that smell pretty bad at the bottom. There are three lakes in total, lower, middle and upper Joffre lake. Lower Joffre lake already has the turquoise glacier waters and it's a short 3-5 minute walk from the parking lot. Middle Joffre lake is said to be a 2.5 hour hike up, however we only took an hour and we made many stops to catch our breaths. The hike up is a gradual uphill path, and there are no stairs, it's very naturey. The view during the whole hike is extremely breath taking as well. Once you reach middle lake, it will all feel worth it! We didn't hike up to Upper Joffre lake because it got cloudy and very cold. However, many people say that Middle Joffre Lake is actually nicer to take photos at. The hike down is simple, it may possibly be a little hard for the knees because it's all downhill, but it doesn't last too long. We took approximately 45 minutes to get down. Would I do it again? Definitely!! The drive is quite far, but it's very nice!

Said it was open online but turned out to be closed due to covid. Make sure it is open before you drive all the way. We drove over an hour only to find the gates closed.

An extraordinarily beautiful provincial park that I would definitely recommend to anyone. The trail has been well traveled so you won't get lost or fall off-track. We were camping at Birkenhead Lake and decided to make the 40 minute drive back south to hike Joffre Lakes. Definitely worth it and busy on the August long weekend that we went! Joffre Lakes consists of three lakes. Lower lake is only about five minutes into the hike. Not something I'd recommend for someone to come all the way to see just this. Keep going. Middle lake is about 4km from the first lake. The hike is not difficult, but is still an uphill battle if you're not used to the exercise and increased heart rate. Just wear proper footwear and breathable clothing and you'll be fine. If you keep going you'll hit a resting/viewing area. Snap a few pictures if you like but don't spend too much here. Soon after you'll find the iconic 'Joffre Lakes fallen log'. Breathtaking sights of the aqua blue waters and a handful of adventurous people taking a dip in the cold glacier waters. We saw lots of people hanging out here - swimming, having a snack, capturing their Instagram-worthy photos, and simply just enjoying the view. If you keep moving from there you'll hit a photo opportunity with a waterfall as your backdrop. Pretty neat as the mist hits you. If you go even further from here, that's where the fun starts, in my opinion. You'll start climbing boulders and getting into more rugged terrain. The upper, or third, lake is really beautiful as well with much less hikers as some people have already headed back after the middle lake. Not a super long drive from the Vancouver area so I'd recommend to do the drive, bring lunch, and enjoy the day up here.

Oh Joffre how I dream of meeting you again. One of our waitresses from The stonesedge kitchen highly recommended this hike and I'm so thankful she did! The lower lake is EASY and quick to get to and honestly I only planned to go the lower lake. I had read about the hike to the middle and upper lake and it sounded a little ferocious. It kind of was ferocious, but totally doable and worth more than it took to get there. I'm not an advanced hiker, I'm actually still in physical therapy for knee issues and was surprised I did what I did. Once I saw the lower lake and the fact that we had driven an hour and a half to get there from whistler I knew I had to start walking towards the middle lake. When I started the trail I wasn't sure I would make it all the way, but once I got to the hard part I had to see what was at the end. Some parts of the trail definitely had me cussing, but the walk back down was the worst part- b/c of my knees... My 70 yr old father hiked to the middle lake with me and we only had to stop to rest a few times b/c of the change in altitude. He has COPD, but he did awesome! Stopping is fine b/c you take more time to enjoy the view all around you. There are cool tree carvings all along the way, so look out for those. The scenic beauty only gets better as you walk straight uphill all along loose gravel and rocks, tree roots and a gazillion Mosquitos, flies and other appropriately named BUGS. Now that I think back on it, the bugs were the worst part. And the fact that it is so strenuous and UPHILL it's hard to get going fast enough to get away from the flying little jerks. Unfortunately we didn't see any wildlife more than birds and bugs, but we did see some kind of HUGE tracks. And poo. Bear? I'll never know. We spent a lot of time at the middle lake and then walked around the back of the lake where there are waterfalls going down into the lake. There are fallen trees with man made rails that go over the water, it was fantastic. Right by that is a trail going straight uphill towards the upper lake. We were both bummed not to keep going, but we didn't have time to do it and get back to our car safely before dark. We want to go to banff next year and do the drive from Vancouver and stop by Joffre for a full day hike and make it up to the tippy top as far as it goes. Glacier and all. Life goal for sure. If you go, wear hiking shoes, be prepared for bugs, take a snack (I had nuts) lots of water and maybe a bathing suit and towel. Don't forget your camera either! A walking stick might not be a bad idea either...

I love Joffre Lakes, it's an easy drive from Vancouver, but making it a weekend trip from either Whistler or Pemberton. It makes it easier as you can hit the trail easier plus you can take more time to savour it in. I ended up camping at Nairn Falls, which I loved and was closed by. The lower lake is easy and if you can't hike for that long, it's less than a ten minute walk to the lower lake, however it's worth hiking more to the middle and upper lakes. I'm not a skilled hiker, but made it. When you feel like giving up, take a break, have some water and keep going. The hike is worth it and the hike towards the middle hike is the hardest. Once you see part of the lake, you can't help but smile. Once you make it there, you can make it to the upper lake without any issue. Stop, have a snack and enjoy the view. If you decide to go swimming, don't expect to last long unless it's a hot day, however dipping your feet in is a welcomed treat after working your way up. Take time to enjoy the scenery and bring your camera. I went in July and didn't have an issue with bugs, but others mention they have. Once you reach the upper lake, you can keep hiking to the campsite and beyond to the glacier. I opted out of going all the way to the glacier, but scrambled along the rocks to reach the water and touch the water that was melting from it.

JUST DO IT! It was a long 3-hour drive from Vancouver, but the views are so worth it. The parking lot was filled but on the hike, it doesn't seem like it. It's not crowded like one of those touristy places and it feels like you have the place to yourself in between lakes. It's maybe a 5-minute walk to the first lake. The second half of the hike up to the second lake is probably the worst part (mother nature's very own stairmaster). We took a few snack breaks on the way up. But once you get to the second lake the views are phenomenal. They have a few areas to sit and enjoy the view (this is also where the super instagrammable fallen log is). The hike up to the 3rd lake is maybe another 30 mins.. a lot of people at this point turn around because they think they've seen it all. I believe the 3rd lake is the only one where you can see the glaciers. The rocks can be a bit tricky to navigate once you get up there though. But there's something so peaceful and serene about the 3rd lake you don't get at the others. I've read a couple of reviews before I went and was reading that plain old nike's weren't going to cut it. I was fine with mine near the end of May as there wasn't a lot of snow still left on the ground. But I would probably bring something with a little more tread next time because some parts are quite steep and can get slippery from the dusty path. Also, the lake is definitely not swimmable during the end of May (wish I knew that before I hiked all my swim stuff up there).

This hike was absolutely amazing. One for the bucket list for sure. About a 3 hour drive from Vancouver. There are 3 lakes: upper, middle, and lower. The first lake you come upon is lower joffre lake, which is stunning with the beautiful turquoise water. Best of all it is only about a 5-10 min walk from the start of the trailhead. Middle Joffre lake is about another 1-2 hours, and is a gradual uphill walk which can be a bit of a workout. We stopped to catch our breath quite a few times. The middle lake is well worth it. Its beautiful, and best of all there are friendly little whisky jacks that will land on your hand (and if you reward them with food). The upper lake is a little further, and on a bit more of a rugged trail, but you are rewarded with a beautiful glacier and lake. The entire trail has incredible views throughout. Took less than an hour to get back to the car. It started snowing so we went down a lot faster as it got cold pretty fast. Definitely recommend.

Really beautiful area. Sadly it was raining really hard so we didn't want to go all the way out to the Middle or Upper lake. Still, the Lower Lake is gorgeous. It's takes about 10 minutes to walk out there. The trail is mostly flat and just about anyone can do it. My Mom has a bad knee and did just fine. If you're in Pemberton it's just another quick half hour up the road and well worth it. We even saw a mama and baby bear about a kilometer away as we were driving in. It's a gorgeous area and well worth exploring. I'm looking to come back on a dry day to see all 3 lakes.

Staying in Whistler and want a break from snowboarding or skiing? Visit Joffre lake and be blown away by the breathtaking scenery. Even is it is winter and lake's frozen over, it's still worth the drive.

Yes, it is quite a drive from Vancouver but it certainly makes sense to check it out if you stay around Whistler. The first lake is amazing and accessible from the parking lot without any hiking done yet. After that, it is a nice walk in the woods. Then the big rocks!Certainly some might not enjoy so much this part where you really have to be careful with your footing, especially if it has been raining before.The second lake might have the best appeal but when you reach the third one you'll get that that satisfaction that you made it , the big rock wall and glacier tells you that you can only go back from there...

a look from above Joffre Lakes hike, 4K Aerial, Matier Glacier. https://youtu.be/PHvgHYX3UAM

Make this hike a part of your bucket list. It was on mine and I finally had the chance to go up on a Friday in July. I heard that the weekends here are crazy and that it's hard to get a parking spot. If you can, definitely hike up on a weekday. I went up on a Friday for the day and got there at about 9:45 (took approximately 2.5 hours from East Vancouver and 1 hour from Whistler). There was plenty of parking at this time and we didn't run into too many people on the trail. The signs read approximately 15 minutes to the first lake and 3 hours to the second lake. It took my wife and I 5 minutes to the first lake and probably about an hour to the second. Another 15 or 20 minutes to the third lake. I believe that the second lake is most photographed as it has the floating log which is now famous thanks to Instagram. At the time we were there, there were no lineups to take photos on the log. By the time we went to the third lake, it was starting to get busy. There is also a rope swing you can use to launch yourself into the lake if you dare taking a dip into the freezing cold water. I'm not that brave. Anyway, although everyone loves the second lake, each of the three lakes each have their unique features and are all equally beautiful. On our way back there was a definitely a full lineup to go on the log so make sure to get there before the crowds. Do yourself a favour and check it out even if it's just a day trip from Vancouver. I doubt anyone ever comes back from Joffre Lakes saying, that was just OK. One of the best hikes in the area that I've done.