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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
As
of June 25, 2008:
- The entire trail to the upper lake campground is
now snow free.
Park
Info:
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.
Park
Size: 1,460
hectares
Special
Notes:
Management
Planning:
- Online Management planning information for this park is
not available at this time.
Location:
Off Hwy
99 east of Pemberton, BC on the Duffey Lake Road.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
Nature & Culture:
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.
Visitor
Safety:
- Expect
winter conditions in Joffre lakes from November until
May. Persons travelling into Joffre Lake Provincial
Park should be properly equipped and experienced in
winter travel. No emergency services are available
during the winter season.
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)
Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
Reservations
are not accepted at this park, all campsites are on a first-come,
first-served basis. For parks that accept reservations or
information on the reservation service, click
here.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
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No
vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
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Camping
is permitted year round at Upper Joffre Lake,
5.5 kilometres from the parking lot. There are
approximately 24 walk-in, backcountry campsites.
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. The ice falls
of Matier Glacier, Mount Matier and Mount Joffre
tower above the turquoise waters of the lake.
Pack out what you pack in and take it home with
you. There is no garbage pick-up in the park.
Be properly equipped, self-sufficient
and experienced in winter travel. Caution: Winter
camping at the Upper Lake campground is not recommended
due to high exposure to avalanche. Choose your
campsite carefully to avoid avalanche terrain.
Campfires are prohibited all year round.
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No
group campsites.
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No
day-use or picnic facilities.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
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Bring
your own drinking water as potable water is not available
in the park. Water from lakes or streams should be boiled
for at least two minutes.
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There
are 2 pit toilets located at the parking lot and 1 pit toilet located
at the upper lake
camping area. |
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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Campfires
are not permitted.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at
this park.
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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.
Continuing on from Lower Joffre Lake, the trail winds upward through old growth forests of hemlock and spruce and along talus slopes. After a steep, rooty section, the trail emerges into a sub-alpine forest with views of the Matier Glacier.
At Middle Joffre Lake, you’ll want to stop to photograph the scene in front of you: with the lake’s pristine turquoise waters fringed by sub-alpine forest and backed by rugged Coast Mountain scenery.
The final stretch of the hike brings you to the largest and perhaps most stunning of the three lakes: Upper Joffre Lake. Here you stand beneath the frozen cascade of Matier Glacier, with a fine vantage of 2,721m. (8,927ft.) Joffre Peak.
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.
Note on this hike: Be sure to take insect repellent, as mosquitoes and blackflies can be pesky.
Etiquette: Pack out what you pack in and take it home with you. There is no garbage pick-up in the park.
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This
park does not have a playground. |
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No swimming. Lakes are too cold for swimming.
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There
are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this
park.
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This
park does not have a boat launch.
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Anyone
fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an
appropriate licence.
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There
are no facilities for cycling in this park.
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No
horseback riding.
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Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash at all times and are not
allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible
for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.Backcountry
areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to
wildlife issues and the potential for problems with
bears. |
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No
wildlife viewing opportunities.
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Backcountry
skiing and snowshoeing opportunities exist.
Be properly equipped with, and experienced
in the use of, avalanche safety gear if venturing
into avalanche terrain. Coastal winter weather
can change rapidly, affecting visibility and
travel conditions. Be aware and prepared. The
clearing of the parking lot is provided by
a highways maintenance contractor and is done
so periodically throughout the winter. There
may be times when it is not cleared when you
arrive. Please do you best to park off of the
highway(shoveling may be required), and allow
for clearing equipment to access the lot. Thank
you, and enjoy the park. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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No
hunting in the park. |
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All
climbing opportunities are mountaineering. Should only be attempted
by experienced and equipped people.
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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There are no cabins, yurts or lodges for public
use located in this park.
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