Wedgemount Lake and Glacier Hike In Whistler

The strenuous hike to Wedgemount Lake and glacier in Whistler is well worth it once you reach the stunning turquoise lake and glacier at the top.

The hike to Wedgemount Lake is over 14km roundtrip and it’s one of the most difficult hikes in the area, with an elevation gain of over 1200m in 6km.  Which is why the hike is also called “the stairmaster”.

THE STATS

 

Difficulty  –  Difficult

Hiking time  –  7-9 hours

Roundtrip  –  14km

Elevation Gain  –  1200m

Summit altitude  –  1900m

Season  –  Late June to September

Camping  –  Yes, with a permit

From Vancouver  –  2-2.5 hours

Public Transit  –  No

Dog Friendly  –  No

Trail type  –  Out and back

 

THE HIKE

 

The majority of the trail to Wedgemount Lake is steep, root-filled switchbacks in the shaded forest and you have to keep an eye out for the orange markers to lead you in the right direction.  As you get closer to the “scramble” to the summit, you will walk through a very small stream of winter runoff for a few hundred metres.

I was pleasantly surprised that it was still possible use hiking poles for most of the scramble, so it’s not quite as serious and technical as it sounds; it’s just extremely steep.  There are ropes at one point to help pull yourself up or down, but I continued to use my hiking poles.

After the steep scramble, you reach the top and realize it’s all worth it because Wedgemount Lake and glacier are absolutely gorgeous!!!

From the hut at Wedgemount Lake, it’s at least another kilometre to reach the glacier at the far end of the lake.  This trail is quite easy, with fairly little incline.

The glacier is so beautiful!

If you camp at Wedgemount Lake, experienced mountaineers can summit Wedge mountain (2891m), which is the highest peak in Garibaldi Provincial Park.  It’s another 7-8 hours with an 1300m elevation gain, so if you do both hikes, you’re ascending 2500m in total. There are also a few other hikes you can do from the lake, if you camp.

I hiked Wedgemount Lake on the last day of June, which means I had a lot of daylight, which was key, especially if you’re day-tripping from Vancouver.  It was also a long weekend and it was not crowded at all, which is fairly normal for difficult trails.

 

NEED TO KNOW

 

Because the hike is so steep, it’ll likely take about the same amount of time to ascend as it will to descend.  If you know you’ll be on the slower side, leave early to maximize your daylight, especially because you’ll want to spend a decent amount of time exploring and enjoying the lake and the glacier. 

My friend and I were on the slower side, due to knee issues.  We drove from Vancouver, started the hike after 11am and then felt a little rushed to leave for the long hike down, before dark.  And driving for 2 hours back to Vancouver on the very dark and very windy Sea to Sky highway, while exhausted after hiking for 8+ hours, is neither fun nor recommended.

Descending is difficult, especially if you have bad knees or a knee injury.  My friend was an unexperienced hiker and has 2 bad knees, so if she can do it, so can you 🙂

There are 20 tent sites available at the top, but you need to buy a permit in advance. You can make a reservation here.

There’s a super basic outhouse at the parking lot and at the lake.

There aren’t any garbage facilities, so take your garbage with you.

You will most likely have cell reception until the summit.

 

WHAT YOU NEED

 

• Bring layers, even on a hot day.  It could be cold at the top, at around 1900m, especially at the glacier. And it gets very cold at night, if you are camping.  
• Wear and bring sunscreen. The sun is stronger at higher elevation.
• Hiking poles are extremely helpful.
• Bring more water and food than you think you’ll need. The hike will be about 6-8+ hours roundtrip, depending on your fitness level.  If you’re hiking with camping gear, allow for 4-5+ hours to the top.
• Bring bug spray.  There are loads of ruthless mosquitoes in the summer months in the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
• Maps.me is an app for offline maps and it’s great for hiking trails. 
• Toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
• Remember to stretch before and after!

 

HOW TO GET THERE

 

The turn off to Wedgemount is only 12km passed Whistler Village, on the Sea to Sky highway.  The sign and turn off appear quickly.  The parking lot is about 2km on a pot-holed dirt road, but a 4×4 and high clearance vehicle is not necessary.

The drive is about 2 hours from Vancouver.  If you’re day tripping from Vancouver, make sure you leave very early in the morning. 

Happy hiking!

 

MORE HIKES IN THE AREA

 

Garibaldi Lake  –  An easier hike to another turquoise alpine lake 

Joffre Lakes  –  An even easier and shorter hike that visits 3 turquoise alpine lakes

Watersprite Lake  –  A mystical alpine lake