コースト山脈の湖・トップ20

Built in 1954, this dam holds back Capilano Lake. It has a pretty impressive 91-metre spillway and is responsible for a large portion of the Lower Mainland's drinking water. The dam is part of the Capilano River Regional Park.

Tucked in the forest just outside Whistler Village, Lost Lake is a beautiful, quiet spot surrounded by tall evergreens and mountain views. It’s a popular spot for swimming and paddleboarding in summer, with trails around its perimeter perfect for hiking and biking. In winter, the area transforms into a snowy network of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, offering a quiet escape just minutes from town.

Access to the Joffre Lakes Trail is located at the top of a pass. Joffre Creek drains west into the Lillooet River, while Cayoosh Creek flows east and empties into Duffey Lake, which drains into the Fraser River. During the summer months, you must register for the Joffre Lakes Trail free of charge – for information, see the following website: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/day-use-passes/#joffre-lakes Registration is required to ensure a manageable number of hikers in the park – a maximum of 500 people per day. The trail leads to the park's three lakes: Lower Lake, Middle Lake, and Upper Lake. The Lower Joffre Lake is just a few hundred meters from the parking lot. Joffre Lakes Park is known for its turquoise lakes and panoramic views of snow-capped peaks; the base of the Matier Glacier is visible. Below the Upper Joffre Lake, Holloway Falls plunge into the depths. The trail ends at Upper Joffre Lake, but it is possible to continue along the western shore to the Joffre Lakes Backcountry Campground and further to the southern end of the lake, where rushing streams carry the waters of the Matier Glacier. (Visit May 28, 2025)

Alta Lake was formed by glacial retreat and subsequent sediment deposition, creating depressions that filled with meltwater. Alta Lake and other nearby lakes, such as Green Lake, are part of a large watershed whose waters flow north to the Lillooet River and south to the Cheakamus River. Historically, water flowed both north and south from Alta Lake, which lies at the top of the pass. This natural dual drainage system of the lake ended with the arrival of settlers. https://fireandicegeoregion.ca/geosite/whistler-valley-lakes-and-watershed-divide/

Two airlines offer scenic flights over the mountains, glaciers, and fjords during the summer months of May to September from the Green Lake Floatplane Dock. Flights to Vancouver and Vancouver Island are also available during this period. https://harbourair.com/locations/whistler/ https://www.whistlerreservations.com/summer-activities/whistler-float-plane-tour

Lost Lake was formed when glaciers retreated from the valley, leaving behind a buried block of ice. After the ice melted, a circular depression was created that filled with water, forming a so-called kettle lake. https://fireandicegeoregion.ca/geosite/lost-lake/ https://www.legendswhistler.com/whistler/news/2019/4/11/lost-lake-whistler/

The direct route from the parking lot to Garibaldi Lake is easily doable even in early May, as the snow on the trails is already packed. Before that, we hiked up to Panaroma Ridge, which is almost impossible without snowshoes or something similar at this time of year (1.80 meters of snow), but at least you're completely alone there.

Lower Joffre Lake is part of the Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. Access to the Lake is via the Duffey Lake Road, BC Highway 99. The car park is located at the mountain pass (approx. 1,300 m) between the valleys of Cayoosh Creek and Joffre Creek. Joffre Lakes Park is a protected area, class A park, since 1996. Class A parks are dedicated to the preservation of their natural environments and are open to the public. (Visit June 4, 2018 & May 28, 2025) https://bcparks.ca/joffre-lakes-park/