Blanca lake squamish

This area locates not far from the confluence of Elaho River and Squamish River and can also be considered as the very southern extension of Pemberton Icecap. Logging roads had been pushed to m elevation on the southern slopes and a trail had been built to access Blanca Blanca lake squamish.

Try this Generally considered a challenging route. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are August through September. Note that trailhead is at m, with a high clearance 4x4, there is no problem to get to the trailhead. The hike to the lake is fairly easy and trail is very obvious, there were patches of snows and icy water paddles, just avoid them by stepping on the grass on the side, there is a creek to cross, you may need to step on the rocks in the water, it took us about 2 hours to get to the lake. The Lake is crystal clear, with the reflection of the mountain, but i was a bit underwhelmed by the view.

Blanca lake squamish

Visit one of the most striking lakes in the Henry M. Jackson wilderness. The vibrant blue of the glacier-fed lake provides the perfect rest stop for hikers who have braved the thirty-odd, steep switchbacks that lead to the lake. Continue reading. Write a trip report. There is parking available here for about 20 cars, but the lake's popularity, particularly on weekends, often results in far too many cars for the small lot and access road. Please park so that cars and horse trailers can get in and out of the lot. The trail starts in cool second growth forest, but the trees are quite sizable. In the fall, the squirrels roughhouse in the trees high above your head. Occasionally they drop gigantic pinecones from high above, and while the resulting crash is startling, it is fun to watch.

The wasps may have been dormant due to the temp and less activity on the trail.

This trip from October last year is a return to getting caught up. No, not the one in Washington State. And it is an effort. Blanca Lake may only be 40 kms away from Whistler, but the road you need to take to get there leaves the Sea-to-Sky highway just beyond Squamish and turns to gravel after about 20 kms. Most people tend to do Blanca Lake as an overnighter because it takes so long to get there, but I had it in my mind that I wanted to circumnavigate Blanca Lake and climb Blanca Peak in the process as a day hike. Cody and I got what felt like a pretty early start, but the drive up the logging road took ages and we ran into further delays when we got to where the trailhead was supposed to be and encountered active logging. We found pieces of trail on either side of what appeared to be a brand new road.

There are a couple small early fall weather small creek crossings 1m wide that require some boulder hopping or log balancing. The trail is mostly obvious but for a small section of boulders and a boggy creek-side area, but ravine sides and Blanca Peak in view keep you oriented. Having cancelled our Blanca plans last weekend due to rains—and snow above m—my friend Mark noticed sunny window was predicted for Friday, September 24, so within 24hrs we had Googled and asked friends about the route—both the road and the hike—and set off from Squamish on our motorbikes at am with our daypacks, a couple lunches, the Gaia GPS app and a Back Road Map Book. From there we take the traffic-calmed Government Road for a couple kilometres before the T-intersection and left-turn on to Squamish Valley Road. We stay on this road, following the east bank of its namesake river, for the majority of the drive to the trailhead. From here road condition is mostly wide, smooth, hard-packed gravel, though heavily potholed from the frequent recreation traffic: rafting buses to luxury SUVs, GS motorbikes to beat-up enduros, the ubiquitous tent-topped Tacoma trucks, and Honda Civics with teenagers partying along the river sandbars.

Blanca lake squamish

Difficulty: Moderate Distance: Dogs Permitted? Follow this until you reach the E spur road, which you drive up to the very end to the trailhead. Blanca Peak is an easily hiked summit located northeast of the lake, offering panoramic views in a truly remote region. While Blanca Lake is located closer to Whistler than Squamish, access is from the Squamish Valley Road and indeed is the most challenging part of this trip. You will be driving a full 40km along forest service roads in order to access the trailhead, taking around 3 hours from Vancouver.

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It was now pm and we had been moving for 6. Trail was marked well up to the lake, enough cairns until about halfway to Blanca peak. Fun day snow climbing. Not many people on the trail. Highest Point 4, feet. We made our way over to the top of the ramp. The vibrant blue of the glacier-fed lake provides the perfect rest stop for hikers who have braved the thirty-odd, steep switchbacks that lead to the lake. Good reminder about grizzlies, as well. Yuri Y. During the winter months, bringing microspikes for icy sections is recommended, especially for the steep switchbacks along the trail. Snow got thicker as we ascended. The last of the fall colors are hanging in there but I dont think they'll last much longer.

Blanca Lake has been at the back of my mind for some years now. Sign me up! The final stretch was steep and loose, and there were water bars which caused us to leave our car 3 kms from the trailhead.

Continue straight past the bridge, and drive another You absolutely must have a reliable high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle! The road in is very well maintained for a forest road - a sedan would have no problem if they took it moderately slow. The mosquitoes were bad in the morning even with repellent. I had spotted what appeared to be a steep ramp on the south side of the ridge that looked like a good way down without having to backtrack too much. It's 5 km to the lake with m in elevation gain. There were frequent pauses to take it in. The area is undoubtedly beautiful, but the drive to get there is painfully long and draining, making this otherwise straightforward hike a long day. Getting here in a truck is no problem. As for navigation, I rarely use an app. Great trail with an incredible payoff at the end!

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