It's a 17km round trip with 660m elevation gain. We just had an even more epic weekend! I am planning on hiking a 14er here in Colorado this summer, but need to get a couple of good hikes under my belt first. Wow! Marc showed me how to take better photos of the reflections by crouching down close to the water. I only know the names because of my blogging friend Andy Gibb. For better odds, avoid July and August which are the busiest. My book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia, is available now. This shows youre only a few kilometers away from Watersprite lake! Behind my jumping photo is the view back to Squamish, the Stawamus Chief and even Mount Crumpit (which looks more like a pimple than a mountain from up here!) We were all relieved to reach the car and not have to carry our heavy packs. There have been enough people that there are a lot of trampled bushes, but not enough people to make actual pathways. In previous years reservations opened on Oct 1 the year before your trip.). What: South West BCs premiere alpine backpacking destination with several trailheads and campgrounds to choose from. Hope to see you this week! Follow up to the presentation on DIY forecasting from the comfort of your own home. Last year, I joined a BCMC trail maintenance trip but never hiked to the lake or stayed at the hut. Day hikers that had started at the same time as us passed us on their way down and told us that they had swam at the lake. There were still more than I expected, and I only expect that it will get worse as more people find out about Watersprite. Says up to 2months in advance now, and even this will probably change is my guess. From the parking lot, pass the yellow gate and begin heading uphill along the wide gravel road. To get there, choose from several different hiking trails or charter a helicopter. Sign up to receive a bi-monthly newsletter from Taryn at Happiest Outdoors stuffed with the latest on backpacking in BC including: You can unsubscribe anytime. How Much Do Reservations Cost: Reservations cost $6/night per tent pad, up to a max reservation fee of $18. As the article noted the access was a route and not really a trail, we adjusted our expectations and allowed more time to do the hike. After driving back to Vancouver, we went for a late dinner but no one was too hungry and everyone just wanted to sleep. I went to pick up Haney and Elliot while Frances and Yuki went to their office to pick up/drop off some items, and then we met at McDonalds for breakfast. View from the hike to Watersprite Lake. The sun was coming through the clouds sporadically, but it was also threatening to rain again so we made quick work of packing up. I assumed that you had loads of time looking at those lovely views!? But the word is out and it's 'hidden gem' status has But the 2022 version of the post should be live in a few weeks. The campground requires reservations between July 1 and Thanksgiving weekend each year. Distance. More information can be found here. I loved it. This site provides information and online reservations. The last leg of the FSR had some steep accents and descents, but there was only one place where I asked Frances to get out and spot for me so that we didnt bash up the front bumper. If you dont get a reservation, keep checking back for cancellations. There are no walk-up or stand-by permits available. We are overwhelmed. Seeing Watersprite lake in the sun, was just perfect! I saw some other campers with very wet tents so they probably didnt have as good a night as we did. It was a hidden gem for years. Youve made me very excited. The Mamquam River Forest Service Road follows the valley floor for about 25 minutes. NORTH CREEK CABIN (unlocked 10 beds) PLUMMER HUT (unlocked 8 beds) You can view detailed information about our huts at BCMC Hut Information. Watersprite Lake in Squamish is a crystal clear, turquoise lake framed by dramatic peaks. NORTH CREEK CABIN (unlocked 10 beds) PLUMMER HUT (unlocked 8 beds) You can view detailed information about our huts at BCMC Hut Information. After all the loose talus and roots and rocks, the accident happened when it was least expected, and as we had become somewhat spread out along the road, only one person was available to render immediate assistance.so be cautious to the very end of a hike and stay together as a group no matter how easy the route appears to be-, Participants- Barbara Durant, Jim and Nancy Paul, and Liz Watts. The path on the Watersprite Lake hike can be muddy. Out-and-Back. Around 5km into the hike, some massive sections of rock have been cleaved off the mountainside, so you just have to scramble over them. It looked as epic as Garibaldi Lake, but not nearly as well-known and thus much less busy. Unknown to most and tucked away down a long, bumpy forest service road. Watersprite Lake is a gem of a lake - turquoise in colour and surrounded by mountains. This once hidden and unknown lake is now a popular hiking destination. Put these dates in your calendar! Wow, that looks absolutely breathtaking. I think next time Ill have to be braver and jump in for a swim. Fortunately, the rain had stopped and it was sunny but that also brought out the bugs. Watersprite Lake has gained popularity due to Chasing Sunrise and Instagram, but it was quiet when I hiked on a cloudy (which turned to rainy) weekend in mid-August. If you dont get a reservation, keep checking back for cancellations. . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can take a shuttle bus on a private road right to your campsite! Yes. And maybe consider putting in more than one lottery application. And nothing sucks more than finding out a trip you want to do is booked up! In a similar tone, Yuki and I wanted to have a great Canadian experience before going overseas and visiting other countries. Youll also need to pay for $9.80/person/night for camping and $14.70 for the shuttle bus. Where did you find the opening date for WCT reservations? Everyone was well rested, probably because we got up later than intended. Watersprite Lake (Summer Route) is located right outside Garibaldi Provincial Park, maintained by the British Columbia mountaineering club. If you enter your email address to subscribe to this blog, you'll receive notifications of new posts by email. Bookings are being done three months out. The background in here is great! When to Reserve: Four months before the first day of your trip. The Watersprite Lake Provincial Recreation Site features 10 alpine Tent Platforms and 10 Tent Sites and is Managed by the British Columbia Mountaineering Club in Partnership with Rec Sites and Trails. Check out the 2023 Washington Backpacking Reservation Dates, Categories Backpacking, BC Interior, British Columbia, Canada, Canadian Rockies, Destinations, Vancouver Area, Vancouver Island, Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. Keep checking back for cancellations. I walked to Enterprise and knew something was amiss when the manager said, You must be Keenan yeah? After being inspired by the photos and trip report on WaterspriteLake in the BCMC newsletter, a group of us decided it was most certainly worth the effort of a day hike into this picturesque mountain lake. Although the logging road is long and might deter some people, it isnt especially rough and we did see a Fiat 500 Modo in the parking lot, so there will probably be a lot of people hiking this trail once word gets out. Gorgeous scenery! The views were incredible and would be even better with clear skies. It takes about 6 to 10 days to complete. Watersprite Lake (Summer Route) Moderate (871) Seaichem 16, British Columbia, Canada Photos (656) Directions Print/PDF Map Share Explore this 19.0-km out-and-back trail near Seaichem 16, British Columbia. 3.6k members in the Squamish community. I see that as of this summer reservations are required to tent at Watersprite Lake. I can totally see why the lake has such a fairy-like name; It is ridiculously beautiful, so it really does feel like youve arrived in a bright-blue, watery fairyland. The drive on the FSR took about an hour, passing over several bridges and skirting around potholes in the road. Where to Reserve: Online on the BCMCs Watersprite Lake campground page. So in July, when I saw an opening for the end of August, I was super excited and booked the hut for two nights. This hike looks a little more intense than I would usually do. BCMC members will have priority but anyone can join. The hike starts steeply from the large parking area on an old de-commissioned logging road- easy going for about 45 minutes with occasional glimpses through the trees of MamquamPeaks and Garibaldi. Their intent was to see their home country before going abroad. You'll continue up the left of the two forks, where the terrain becomes steeper and more uneven. Plenty of water and food. For more information, read my Rockwall Trail Guide. No worries! This worked really well to show how far along the hike we were. A bank closer to everyone! The manager had sent his other employees home for the day and said that he could drive me there if I waited until 6pm, when he closed up the offices. If you book via phone there is an extra $5 surcharge. The West Coast is amaaaazing! The hike to the lake is full of spectacular views of mountains, valleys and creeks but getting to the lake is no small feat. -Taryn, Join the Backpacking Trips in BC Facebook group. starstarstarstarstar. A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia. The core area of the park at Lake Magog has a popular BC Parks backcountry campground. It is probably the most popular multi-day hike in Canada, which is why it is at the top of my list for 2023 BC backpacking reservation dates. The remainder of the hike down was tiresome and slow-going. #flyawayfriday, Oooh we can swap sides of the world! This was because Yuki and I opted to do a week-long rental so we could travel to Vancouver Island after the camping trip. I couldnt help itI took soooo many photos!! The shallow areas are turquoise clear and have submerged rocks and deadfall that make for interesting compositions. Compare North Creek Hut BCMC Cabin Individual Beds Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - / 1 $20.00 Per night $20.00 For 1 night Book now! Reservations are required for all the campgrounds as well as the Elfin Lakes Shelter. Kasturi at Watersprite Lake. Print/PDF Map. I ran along the edge of the lake to get pictures before the shadows consumed the lake, as it was getting quite late in the afternoon. The rain had stopped by then and most of the campers were up and eating. Wear either rain boots or waterproof hiking boots depending on your preference. Where to Reserve: Online via Discover Campingor via phone at1 800 689-902 or 1 519 826-6850. Looks like quite the hike. The 10 essentials. The Eastern Sierra Nevada area is full of lakes and there are several I have not visited yet. So, I downloaded an app from Vancouver trailsand then also downloaded the trail map for this walk to my phone, so I could view it offline. Start with my West Coast Trail Guide, then check out my section-by-section overview, itineraries, campground guide, packing list, transportation, and coastal hiking tips posts. We had a debate about whether it was better than Garibaldi Lake or not. The number of overnight guests is limited to 10/night. We started to take more frequent breaks and longer rests as the weight of our packs began to really slow us down. Where to Reserve:Online via the Parks Canada Reservations Service or by phone at1-877-737-3783. **Watersprite Lake Camping Reservation Software ** For those who are wondering and inquiring, our new booking software for the Watersprite Lake Recreation Site will be launching and **taking. There are no walk-up or stand-by permits available. Hike to Watersprite Lake . Beautiful lake!! You will also have to pay a per person backcountry fee of $10/person/night. Where to Reserve: Online or by phone. Difficulty: Intermediate - Gradual incling throughout majority of the hike with only a few short steep sections (Boulder field and last section before the lake). In fact, you can see the path, in the line of trees in the photo below. Read my guide to Backpacking in BC Without Reservations. I was making squeeee noises for our entire walk as it was so, so pretty! Regrettably, the length of the hike (approximately 3-3/4 hours) allowed us only about an hour for lunch so we did not have the time to explore some of the high points surrounding the lake, but we will most certainly return sometime soon to this amazing scenic alpine area. Fabulous post. More views from the hike to Watersprite Lake. Now Ive seen them, I am planning to sign up. Tent sites are $20. Want more info? I agree with your comments on the trail. , Thanks Tiffany!! Does anyone know if that is in effect now or does it start in July? . Public Transit No. Garibaldi Provincial Park - Elfin Lakes Trail - A walk and a lark, 9 Fairy Tale Locations that You Probably Didn't Know Existed - The Fickle Feet, Walking around the world - Loos with Views - A walk and a lark, Garibaldi Provincial Park - The Gargoyles - A walk and a lark. Yes. . Note that the trail can be challenging, so the more supportive footwear, the better. I could do it, but Id probably start complaining halfway up. (Yes I know this is a canoe trip, but its a similar wilderness experience and the only canoe trip in BC that requires reservations, so it made the list of BC backpacking reservation dates.) #FlyAwayFriday, Oooh awesome Ruth. Doubtful they will be identical from one year to the next if that's what you are saying. READ NEXT: Rockwall Trail Guide: Everything You Need to Know. It costs $10 to enter the day-use shuttle bus lottery. More information about the Watersprite Lake Cabin and making reservation can be found on the BCMC Website. Perhaps you could clarify? Yeah, it did feel long by the end of the day, but oh my goodness it was worth it for those views!! All 11 photos. A free Day-Use Pass is required to hike this trail beginning June 17, 2022. What a cool hike! On average it takes 2 hours52 minutes to complete this trail. If you look on instagram I think some folks add filters to make it look even more crazy blue, but the natural colour is just that crazy! All content, photos and gps data are 2007 - 2022 VancouverTrails.com. You can even see cracks in the ground where this might happen again! Tell me in the comments. I really appreciate their hard work making such amazing trails for everyone to enjoy. But, before you can start the last ascent up to the lake, you have to cross a large boulder field. The 10 essentials. It was totally worth the effort. Fighting off abundant mosquitoes and flies, we reached the summit and took in views of the lake. The lake became very popular thanks to social media, so starting in 2022 the campground requires reservations. It may be worth it just to see that in person. There are numerous reasons for this, including that much energy towards hut construction has . If you like the sound of BCMC too, you can find out more about them and sign up here. For better odds, avoid August which is the busiest. Tips and Tricks for Getting a Reservation:Make your reservation as early as possible. Just, dont come here expecting to see this view unless it is a ridiculously nice day! At the ridge, it became clear that we had climbed up the side of the valley and were standing near the corner of two merging valleys. I can't find any information on the Pacific Rim National Park website, and they didn't have any dates when I called a few weeks ago! How Much Do Reservations Cost: Camping Reservations cost $11.70. This hike looks amazing! We found a massive boulder to get a little more elevation and take photos from. Keenans Adventures, travels, and wordly outtings. Generally, the road was in good condition but I drove slowly because I didnt want to get a flat tire on the rental car. You need a car that can cope with dodgy logging roads for this one. Dog owners are discouraged from bringing their pups on this hike as it is a sensitive ecological area. I guess you just need to make sure you can relax the following day and recover! What: This super-popular lake near Whistler has a backcountry campground next to a glacier lake. Easy going run pace starting at the Old Buck trailhead at the base of Seymour heading to Deep Cove and looping back via roads. Great TR Rick. Tips and Tricks for Getting a Reservation: You need an account on the Parks website so create one ahead of time so you dont get slowed down on reservation day. The trail leads off to the left from the road and can be easily missed. As we were climbing over the rocks to get back to the other side of the lake, it started pouring rain. The campground is on the far side of the lake. Photo Drew Copeland. Even though we had reserved the car weeks in advance, Enterprise called the day before to confirm the reservation. - Written by West Coast-based climber and writer Drew Copeland. Then as you get close, youll see Martin Peak, Gibson Peak, Watersprite Tower with Dreadnought Peak behind the lake. From this point, the valley branches into two. After hiking up there at the weekend I had to go back and read your post again You managed to do what we didnt, which was hang around at the lake admiring the views I need to go back so I can take it in some more, and hopefully explore some of the surrounding peaks. They may be bumpy and hard to drive on, but they do allow us to reach some stunning places! Thank you so much for sharing! Its nice that there arent nearly as many people at Watersprite Lake because Garibaldi is turning into a zoo. #FlyAwayFriday. <3, Wow! Fortunately, the rocks had a lot of grit to them and so it wasnt too slippery. Ah sorry Andrew, I update the posts annually and haven't updated the Washington one yet as many of their dates haven't been announced yet. Looks like they've changed Mt. Note: The Elfin Lakes Shelter is currently closed for repairs. To plan your trip, see my complete Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit paddling guide. There is something special about the reflection of mountains into a crystal clear lake. But dang, those views are incredible! Thanks for including so many pictures! View all 11 photos. Hike to Watersprite Lake Squamish-Lillooet D, British Columbia 5.0/5 based on 4 reviews Save View all 11 photos Review Directions Add Photo Details Distance 8.9 miles Elevation Gain 2772.3 ft Route Type Out-and-Back Description Added by Emily Masse Hike to a crystal clear, alpine lake lake with minimal traffic and amazing views. Watersprite Lake. , What a gorgeous place! There are markers, so we didnt find it difficult to find the path, but it was a little tiring in the hot sun. I guess its lucky that the view would shut me up! The slope of the mountains are evident of glaciers with their smooth bowl shapes, and we could see all the way down the valley to Squamish. <3, Thats a gorgeous view, but 17km is a fair hike, especially going uphill Ive done all of them except Mount Assiniboine. They are so, so tiny (and speedy) that it took me a while to take a photo! And the best part? I thought that this hike was more interesting because of the ridgeline view is great, the lake is cool, and the hike is shorter but Garibaldi does have a larger lake and great views from Panorama Ridge. Yes, even for a tent site on the recreation camping area. When to Reserve: Up to four months before your trip. Watersprite Lake is a pristine turquoise alpine lake that's surrounded by dramatic peaks and it's one of the most impressive, iconic and picturesque lakes in Squamish. Reserve as early as possible since this route is popular with international travellers. We went in July, and although it was upper 80s in the surrounding area, the temperature around the lake was upper 60s or low 70s during the day, and low 50s / upper 40s at night, so bring layers regardless of the season. Note: The info below applies only to the BC Parks campground. There are many signs for ecologically sensitive areas that the club is trying to keep pristine near the lake. Rated 5.0 /5 based on 4 reviews 5.0/5 based on 4 reviews Save. If you book by phone there is an additional $5 surcharge. You will also have to pay a per person backcountry fee of $5/person/night. Watersprite Lake. There needs to be more tape and/or a sign placed at this point to clearly mark the point of departure onto the trail. The classic shot. What: Lake OHara is a truly spectacular spot set among alpine lakes and hanging valleys in the Rocky Mountains inside Yoho National Park. Its a short 5.5km hike from the trailhead, so its one of the easier backpacking destinations close to Vancouver. This is accessed by the Mamquam Main FSR (begins next to the . Did you go to this one when you lived on this side of the mountains? The hut requires reservations and is $20 a night per person if you're not a BCMC member. The last leg of the hike was a steep climb up the end of the valley. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello Taryn, thanks for your article. Beside Squamish, the Chief pokes out from behind another mountain range. BCMC (The British Columbia Mountain Club) folks were improving the trail last weekend, so hopefully the last section of this walk will be slightly easier if this post inspires you to explore!! Make sure you book far in advance if you want a spot! I hope I can make it to the west coast of Canada one day to see views like this! Not surprised its your new favourite walk. Trip Report. Once on the trail it was clearly marked by tape and defined by an obvious footpath. The BCMC Operates Four Backcountry Huts: WATERSPRITE LAKE CABIN (LOCKED 8 beds) MOUNTAIN LAKE HUT (unlocked 8 beds). How Much Do Reservations Cost: Reservations cost $11.70. For campers with heavier packs, I would have around 6 hours. Thanks Janine! Shortly after, I spotted a rock with an overhang on the edge of the trail. What: This 75km (46.5 mi) trail is full of beaches, coastal rainforest, ladders, and boardwalks. Noticed above you mention Washington Backpacking reservation dates for 2022 however when clicking on your link it's 2021 permits and reservation dates. Looks like it was certainly worth all the effort. There is a camp site as well. After a pleasant flat section the route angles upwards across a talus field so we had to be more observant for tape and small cairns. Js patogumui, prie atvykstant klient aptarnavimo padalin rekomenduojame laik susitikimui rezervuoti i anksto. The second location had a GMC Terrain, which was likely to work for our purposes. We did enjoy our time up there, but next time Id like to spend more time admiring the classic view from the hut side of the lake. I was pretty exhausted by the end of the day! Yuki suggested asking about other locations and the manager called two other Enterprise rental offices. For more info, check out the BCMC website or my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. Without any further attempts at communication via email, they cancelled the reservation. After being inspired by the photos and trip report on WaterspriteLake in the BCMC newsletter, a group of us decided it was most certainly worth the effort of a day hike into this picturesque mountain lake. After all that, this is the view that greeted us. Watersprite Lake isnt a hike Id heard of before but I became instantly intrigued once I saw a few photographs of the lake. The trail is about 7.5km long; between kilometres 24 there is a steady incline with vast switchbacks that climb up the side of the valley. I believe we will be re-routing it to the logging road on the north side of Watersprite Creek. Reservations can be made with BC Parks . We spotted columbia lilies and Indian paintbrushes along the trail to Watersprite Lake. If you book via phone there is an extra $5 surcharge. The trail isnt nearly as developed as the Garibaldi Lake trail, so there were a lot of people that were too impatient to wait for us to step off to the side and instead trampled past us in their haste. Luckily a mountain biker missed it the day before and had stretched a bright coloured tape across the road. We are about to embark on a year of travel and wanted to appreciate home first. 18 photos vous attendent sur Booking.com. This stunning viewpoint was about 4 kilometers into the hike. Reservations are required year-round for a fee of $30 per person. The road leading to the trailhead requires a 4WD vehicle. Keep checking back to see if spots open up. NOTE: The Berg Lake Trail suffered severe flooding damage in July, 2021. Unknown to most and tucked away down a long, bumpy forest service road. It took us 7 hours to get to the campsite. The manager offered a Kia Soul or a Honda Civic, but neither of those would work for us. So there you have it: 2023 BC backpacking reservation dates for 8 different trips. READ NEXT: Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit: Paddling in British Columbia. I dont blame you taking the time to enjoy a couple of hours there before the descent Although Im still giggling at Mount Crumpit , The main reason we went to Mount Crumpit was the name!! Before we started our return journey, we climbed a little way above the lake to take a panorama. Watersprite Lake is located just outside the southwestern edge of Garibaldi Provincial Park and is close to Mamquam Mountain and Icefield. But the word is out and it's 'hidden gem' status has changed. This made for a dramatic set of photos. How Much Do Reservations Cost: Sites are $20/night and must be paid in full at the time of booking to reserve a site. For more info on the trail, check out the BC parks website or my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. There is a cautionary tale here- we relaxed maybe a little too much. It really does, doesnt it!? The last stream crossing of the hike was about 33.5km in, and we took a break for lunch here, not realizing that around the next turn was the open ridgeline. Join me as I share my adventures and empower you to feel as comfortable in the outdoors as I do. ), 2023 BC Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know, 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver, Info about permits, reservations, and campsite facilities. Considering the walk was not crazily difficult, I was surprised how few people made it up here on a Saturday in July. Tips and Tricks for Getting a Reservation: Make your reservation as early as possible. Give me a shout if you do come this way as I can tell you sooo many pretty places to explore! To get to the trailhead turn off highway 99 onto Mamquam FSR (a gravel road that runs along Stawamus River, then the Mamquam . This is easily the best view we have ever had of the beautiful Mount Garibaldi! They also just finished building the last bridge on the trail and are finishing up. Facilities: The bad part was driving back on the logging road once we were tired after the hike. The trip back took less time and we regained the road relatively quickly after which we increased our pace down the road.

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