There are some steep climbs along the way, and some big rocks and dips to go over. We even got to see the reflection of some stars in the lake. "Other envelopes were returned to New York, June 25. Also there are many forks in the road, I took the higher roads (right hand side) but I believe the left hand side also goes to the trailhead. I think dogs are allowed on leash, but they arent allowed at the lake and it looks like dogs are discouraged from the trail as the ecosystem is so fragile around here. Both Kavyas were in good spirits and were moving quickly, so I went ahead with them. We drove up in Subaru Forester and Santa Fe and didnt have any issues accessing the trailhead. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Oh and bugs. Good shoes, carrying enough drinking water, and practicing leave no trace are also a must. This previously hidden gem has become a lot more popular in the last few years - one look at this lake and it's not hard to see why. Availability is a limited in the summer so book early if you want to stay here. 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 are prepared you shouldnt have any issues hiking this trail. I think a little tougher than moderate for beginners. The trail opened up, but we just had a partial view of the valley to our right due to the clouds. On the border of British Columbia and Alberta, it is one of the most well-known lakes in the area - and with good reason. This had got to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! If you're hiking, make your presence known. Relax on one of the comfortable sun-loungers for some alfresco work, well-deserved downtime or some play time with the kids. If youre getting restless, hike up one of the surrounding peaks for some even better views. There is also a 10-person cabin at the lake available for reservation by British Columbia Mountaineering Club members. Make sure you can get clearance. The trail is well marked and a beautiful blue lake at the end making it all worth it. Ive seen photos of this lake before but it really does look gorgeous, and I love that you went a bit further up to get a different view of it! The 2022 Watersprite Film Festival is excited to welcome its first ever Media Team to this year's event. The first half of the hike is pretty easy going, although you might have to occasionally fight your way though tall plants and overgrown bushes. The trail itself is really well marked and the lake is absolutely beautiful! It is harder than it looks but totally worth it. The 10 essentials. Plan for a couple of nights here, and a completely free day relaxing. For sure needs a high clearance vehicle. Love the name! Grateful to have a quiet crowd at the lake - maybe 5-6 groups max. Steady incline for most of the hike. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "acd09b1b25abf6164f213b3ae0fef78f" );document.getElementById("a8214dcb2e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I would love to go back and try the camping platforms as well. Aim for the face. Disclosure: I am a member of BCMC. Camping here is free and first-come, first-serve. We took longer to get there as it was raining and some of the trail, and boulders, were slippery. I shall be visiting friends near Vancouver, hopefully this year, so will ask if they know of this route to take me there. Is there anything more incredible than this? Driving to Waterspite Trailhead. The first part of the trail is a relatively flat section that zigzags towards Watersprite Creek. Joffre Lakes is to British Columbia as Moraine Lake is to Alberta. What: Emerald Lake is located in Yoho National Park, and is the largest of Yoho's 61 lakes and ponds. Abuse this fragile and special area and everyone loses, Rampart Ponds Campground via Elfin Lakes Trail and Mamquam Lake Trail, Rampart Ponds Loop via Mamquam Lake Trail and Elfin Lakes Trail, Elfin Lakes Camp Site via Mamquam Lake Trail and Elfin Lakes Trail, The hike itself is fun with a little bit of everything. Camp only in designated camping areas. We bottomed out on that car a little too often the all wheel drive was maybe the only saving grace. Watersprite Lake Hut, built by BCMC in 2017, is one of the newest backcountry huts in British Columbia. The road is bitten up, but we did it on our Subaru Outback (2018). After the final slog the trail flattens out as you approach the lake. As many others have said, the road up is rough. Hands down one of the best and most visually impressive places Ive ever camped is the namesake lake of this Squamish backcountry hike Watersprite Lake. The views at the end made it all worth it. Along the Skookum Dam service road is where the road gets really rough. Watersprite Lake continues to see an increased number of visitors every year. Wear either rain boots or waterproof hiking boots depending on your preference. It was raining quite a bit, so we took a break. I saw Honda CR-V and other comparable ones up at the trailhead. The sometimes challenging hike is not to be undertaken lightly despite the heavenly reward. If this is a day hike for you, this might be the best place to stop. I enjoyed a lot! It can get quite muddy so hold on as you climb. Camping at Garibaldi Lake provides opportunities to explore other nearby hikes such as Black Tusk . Overall, it was a fun trip with family and friends. Note on the Skookum FSR: After the arduous journey, this is a welcome sight, and no matter whether its raining or brilliantly sunny, this ethereal lake is perfection. Stay silent and try not to move. Hey Everyone. This past weekend was certainly one to remember. Given the rainy forecast for the rest of the day, we decided to start hiking. Trail was great though, very moderate hike and the views were gorgeous. Camping right next to the lake is not allowed (there are signs for the campsite boundary). I appreciate your support. Dreadnought Peak is a somewhat interesting and prominent peak in a group of (unofficially named) peaks by Watersprite Lake. Reaching this stunning turquoise lake makes the hike well worth it. The route was hard to find due to snow and we could have easily slipped on the rocks and broken an ankle. Watersprite Lake Hike and Camping - Squamish, BC by Lauren Fellure | Posted on August 25, 2019 This was one of the most beautiful hikes I've ever done. claw marks on trees or logs, scat or paw prints. The 3rd scramble is like walking in the park (Jurassic park). You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. You can reach this incredible spot east of Squamish by taking a seven hour hike that is about 17 kms round trip. There is a large bear population and other wildlife in the valley which is often encountered on the trail, so dogs are not recommended for the trail or Watersprite Lake. Every step worth it, but with backpack is hard level. It would be Gaurav and Indranis first backpacking trip with their kids Kavya and Swara. The road is built and maintained by engineering crews who drive big 4x4 work trucks to the power dam near the Watersprite parking lot. Lie face down on the ground with your non-dominant hand around the back of your neck. 4:23. It was long and boring for the first 3kms. Once youve traversed what you can only hope is the last boulder field youll see in a long time, find a spot to set up your tent at your reserved spot. All of these peaks, as well as the . Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking in the crystal-clear waters, or simply relax and take in the stunning scenery. Bugs were still pretty bad, especially when you stop. Would love to experience this when I visit BC. Peaceful doesnt begin to describe Watersprite Lake, and if ever there was a place youd want to unwind for a day, this is it. Reservations are now required to backcountry camp here. Eventually you will reach the parking area and trail head when you see the outhouse and gate stopping you from going further. When I think of fairytale locations, the top local place that comes to mind is the gorgeous Watersprite Lake near Squamish in British Columbia. tshirt and sneakers as an example are not recommended, proper outerware is for your comfort and safety, we want you to enjoy the outdoors. It seemed accessible from the back but looked much more committing than a hike or easy scramble. These cookies do not store any personal information. The lake is so peaceful! Check out the r/askreddit subreddit! There are a few good spots to replenish water,a small boulder field youll head through. Lake still 80% frozen but beautiful experience! Around lunch, we made our way back to the hut. If you are visiting June-September there may also be a fire ban in effect, so dont rely on having a campfire. Note that the trail can be challenging, so the more supportive footwear, the better. Most people do the hike in 3-4 hours each way. Proceed northeast along the potholed Mamquam main. Check out the Snowshoe Grind at Grouse Mountain or the best outdoor ice skating rinks the province has to offer. The first km of the trail is flat and easy, and we crossed a couple of creeks. This previously hidden gem has become a lot more popular in the last few years one look at this lake and its not hard to see why. The Mamquam River Forest Service Road follows the valley floor for about 25 minutes. Wanted to know if anyone has the info on if watersprite I re open after the black bear activity? Such a beautiful and peaceful lake. It like wise contained a New York post mark and an illegible cancellation Dver the Portuguese stamp. Although chillier than many other camping locations due to the elevation, you cant find many better spots. Hikes Patrick Latter September 27, 2017 Camping 3 Comments. We did a short hike to the campsite on the other side of the lake. Did you enjoy reading this post? Typical Sodium Needs. March 31, 2016. The road to the trail is off Northbound Highway 99, the Sea to Sky Highway. The BC Mountaineering Club cabin is bookable for groups wanting somewhere indoors to stay. But you might be interested in this post. What a beautiful lake to hike around! The new trail head starts on the other side on your right and is well marked. Author: Meera Mohanraj. Once the bear backs off, stay quiet and still for as long as you can. My favourite part reading on my kindle at night next to the stove. Theres a sign about halfway reminding you to be prepared and that from this point on itll likely get cooler with the elevation change. speciesspecies_ID SpeciesGroup SpeciesCommon_Name ScientificName; 2856: Algae: didymo: Didymosphenia geminata : 3234: Algae: golden algae: Prymnesium parvum : 1688 . Arrived to the start of the FSR at 8:30 and got to the trailhead at 9:50, I was driving a 2003 Nissan Xterra 4x4. 1994m. Day one found us skiing four lines, three in the south basin and one in the north basin. Youve definitely convinced me. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. As magical and captivating as the name suggests, this is one hike that needs to be done if youre visiting British Columbia. Seems like the perfect warm weather hike! Garibaldi Lake-Taylor Meadows trail junction In six km, we had an elevation gain of close to 750 m. At first sight of the hut, they got super excited and started running towards it. If you're hiking in bear country, keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed. A new bear attack study indicates that 93% of all bear attacks are male bears and 53% of those involve dogs. It sounds like a great hike, definitely a long one for a day with getting to spend any time at the lake, so camping there is a good idea. Check out this 19.0-km out-and-back trail near Seaichem 16, British Columbia. Go past Alpen spur at km 9.8 followed by more uphill until the high point on the Mamquam FSR is reached around km10.8. It was mostly clear the next day. I can see why so many have discovered this beautiful place. Trail is dry and well marked. There were things like Mazda CX30s up there, so you get the picture. Everyone wants to get a glimpse of these bright turquoise blue lakes and get that famous shot. Hands down. (August 25-26, 2022) Hardest part of the hike was driving to the trailhead - I counted 2 maybe 3 washouts. The trailhead to Watersprite Lake begins about 20km up a series of Forestry Service Roads to the east of Squamish. Very high reward to effort ratio. You'll continue up the left of the two forks, where the terrain becomes . Avoid food caches: cougars will cover unconsumed portions of their kill with twigs, leaf litter or soil. Joffre Lakes Trail - Winter. A small trap door leads to the basement with construction tools, material and a stockpile of firewood. Most campers did a lot of digging to uncover the tent pads. First half very manageable, last half more technical. Lots of creeks to fill up water along the way. Black bears and some grizzlies can climb trees, and many bear will be provoked to chase you if they see you climbing. Swimming in the lake is just one fun activity we also saw people who brought lightweight inflatable kayaks or paddleboards. Multi-day Trips. Both are difficult but the higher road was a little better. Once the bear backs off, stay quiet and still for as long as you can. This is the first road on the RHS 1.7km after the Sea to Sky gondola. Thanks for sharing this beautiful natural wonder with us! I was fascinated by the Watersprite Tower, so I hiked around a bit to see options to get up this peak. Beautiful lake and I agree with you to factor in 2 nights here. Wilf and I had a great trip up to Watersprite Lake. Watersprite Lake is a beautiful day or overnight hike about 2 hours from Vancouver. But, the cars had enough clearance and power to make it through. We took a short break and put on our jackets again as it started to rain. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Your email address will not be published. A new bear attack study indicates that 93% of all bear attacks are male bears and 53% of those involve dogs. , REFNew Watersprite Lake Trail (Summer Route). I especially liked the 100th-anniversary issue of The Mountaineer, which had articles on BCMC history and a selection of trip reports from 1907-2007. Did this epic trail last Sunday (October 16th), what a surprise to get such good weather in October. Beautiful hike with the final 2km bouldering and steeper. When youre moving not a problem, once you stop they are definitely still around. Get tickets to Watersprite Film Festival 2021, taking place 03/05/2021 to 03/07/2021. The trailhead was a lot more busy compared to Friday afternoon. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. A new bear attack study indicates that 93% of all bear attacks are male bears and 53% of those involve dogs. Watersprite Lake camping July 16-17, a lot more snow than expected. It's rather like a portal into a different world when we were confronted almost immediately by a spectacular view of the turquoise lake. Hike up is a mix of boulder fields, green tunnel, some nice views on the way up. A truck or SUV with high clearance is essential. I'm not going to go into details of exactly how to reach it because there are far better sites out there for that, with GPS maps and all that good stuff. At 16.3 mark keep going left for another 3.7k to the roads end. Definitely you need a high clearance car to get to the trailhead, Had to park our older Subaru Forester near the entrance because 6" of clearance wasn't enough and we walked from the dam turnoff, which made it a 32km round trip. Watersprite Lake: Watersprite Lake Hut. Its quite exposed after the first hour so bring sunscreen. The road leading to the trailhead requires a 4WD vehicle. Seeing the phenomenally serene lake up close and spending a couple days camping here was amazing. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 55 min to complete. There are also a number of large metal bear cache bins to put any food items in overnight. Begin spraying when it's within 40 ft so it runs into the fog. use your voice. Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park is a stunning, glacier-fed lake that sits 1,450 m high, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, glaciers, alpine meadows and volcanic structures. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Four footbridges now installed, boardwalk and hundreds of steps. Mount Garibaldi and Mount Mamquam are just a couple of the epic peaks to be seen on this trail. Go up fairly steep hill around km 6 for 1 km, driving past Mt Mulligan Rd on the RHS at km 7.0. The trail then runs parallel to the creek with steady elevation gain. You see, the campground is on the other side of the lake. Forgotten at the trailhead Oct 9. After seven years of planning and construction, the Watersprite Lake Hut opened in the winter of 2017.