Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

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, the trail becomes a rough, rocky and steep hike through the Coast Mountain range. Evidence of the park’s 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. Wildlife - Deer, black bears, grizzly bears and mountain goats reside in the area. Pikas may be spotted at the third lake. Please use the pails and metal food cache at the campsite to store your food. Dogs must be kept on a leash. Only experienced and well-prepared mountaineers should attempt mountain climbing or venture onto glaciers and snow fields. The trail from the parking lot past three lakes to Middle and Upper Joffre Lake is a rough, rocky and steep 5 km (3 mile) mountain route. Elevation gain to Upper Joffre Lake from the parking lot is approximately 400 metres. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. From the parking lot, Lower Joffre Lake is just a short 5 minutes, easy walk away and there is a nice viewpoint here. If you carry on, the more challenging trek to Middle and Upper Joffre lakes is well worth the reward: a sweeping view of rugged peaks, icefields and cold, rushing streams beneath the Matier Glacier.  Overnight campers can set up their tents on the far (south) end of the lake in the small, but level campsites provided. The campsite, along a section of lakeshore and in the adjacent rock talus slope, is some distance from the toe of the glacier. The campsite may fill up on weekends so it is best to get there early. In the warm afternoon sun you can hear the thunderous crashing of ice as it calves from the glacier. Please keep in mind that because of the instability of glacial terrain, scrambling upslope to get a closer view is not recommended.