February 20, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Pemberton, Hiking
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Late last summer we stumbled upon the magnificent Joffre Lakes. This is a tiered network of three fairly small lakes of unbelievably striking turquoise and emerald colour, as a result of being glacier-fed.
This makes a great outing from Vancouver, situated about 2.5 hours away, past Pemberton on the road to Lillooet. You don't need to trek to Banff or Jasper to see the amazing phenomenon of these glacial lakes, with colour so surreal they look 'picture-costcard' perfect. Above the second and third lakes, which are in an amphitheter of mountain peaks, is a glacier with ice that is tinted a pale blue, which was also an impressive sight.
The lakes are situated in a Provincial Park, with the first being only 5 minutes walk from the parking lot, the second about an hour and a half up the trail, and the final one about 45 minutes further.
Backcountry camping is allowed in the park and is on our agend for this year!