Hike Report: An interesting trail. A very interesting. 4.3 mile (one way) trail. It starts at a small p/l (10+ cars) and wanders through a narrow canyon between Wedge and Weart Mountains. The lower trail winds through evergreen trees, sun-bleached, snow-washed rock slides and rock faces. The trail is good for 3 – 3.5 miles. From that point the trail goes almost straight up a dirt and grass trail and is bad for several hundred feet. It is a hand over hand “grab grass for balance” ascent at that point. It then flattens out over a rolling alpine terrain. There was a building on the flat and a glacier across the lake. Remnants of snow appeared everywhere. Being late August, we felt snow would be at a premium, but not so. Wedge Mountain loomed above the lake giving hikers a mountain/lake experience. When we got there we were soaked with sweat. The wind chilled us all quickly so the solution was a fast retreat down to the heat of the canyon below. Going down that steep part of the trail was a “seat of your pants” slide.

Our group of six people made it with pack exchanges, plenty of G.O.R.P., and a determination to see this well advertised lake. I am glad that we saw it once, but not again. If you do this hike, be prepared to be called a mountain goat!

Backroad and Outdoor Recreation Map Book, Volume 1  pages 44 & 45 for directions to Wedgemont Lake and page 51 to Joffre Lakes.

Parking: The parking area for Wedgemont Lake was quite small and the gravel road into that lot isn’t what I would call a freeway. In places, if two cars meet, one would have to back up a ways so the other could pass.

Pick up maps at the Tourist Information Office on the left side of the road going into Whistler. That office is on the northeast corner of a right-hand turn street west of a ski area’s parking facility.

See this website. It was written on Canada Day.

www.shiftlessbum.com/wedgemontlake.htm

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