The Wedgemount Lake hike is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most rewarding hikes near Whistler. Climbing relentlessly through steep forest before emerging into a spectacular alpine basin, the trail delivers everything hikers dream about in British Columbia: turquoise glacial water, towering mountain peaks, hanging glaciers, and genuine backcountry wilderness.
Unlike more accessible destinations such as Garibaldi Lake or Elfin Lakes, Wedgemount demands effort from the very first step. The reward, however, is extraordinary. The brilliant blue waters of Wedgemount Lake sit beneath the Wedgemount Glacier, creating one of the most photogenic alpine landscapes in the Coast Mountains.
Whether you’re tackling it as a challenging day hike or planning Wedgemount Lake camping as part of a multi-day backpacking trip, this guide covers everything you need to know about permits, trail conditions, camping, and hiking one of the best alpine adventures near Whistler.
Wedgemount Lake
The hike to Wedgemount Lake is one of the most challenging and rewarding alpine adventures near Whistler. Located within Garibaldi Provincial Park, the trail climbs relentlessly through dense forest before suddenly emerging above the treeline into a dramatic cirque surrounded by glaciers, waterfalls, and rugged mountain peaks. While the distance may look modest on paper, make no mistake—this is a hike that earns every metre of its spectacular views.
What sets Wedgemount Lake apart from many other hikes in British Columbia is the sense of scale and alpine wow factor. The vibrant turquoise water, fed by glacial melt from Wedgemount Glacier above, feels genuinely wild and remote despite being only a short drive from Whistler. Standing on the shoreline, surrounded by ice-covered peaks and hanging glaciers, it’s easy to understand why many hikers consider this one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the province.
For backpackers, the experience becomes even better. Rather than hiking to the lake and back in a single day, spending a night at the Wedgemount Lake Campground allows you to enjoy the area once the crowds have disappeared. Evening light on the surrounding glaciers, calm conditions around the lake, and an alpine sunrise the following morning transform the hike into something truly special.
The campground itself is relatively basic compared to destinations such as Elfin Lakes or Taylor Meadows. Facilities are limited, but that’s part of the appeal. Camping here feels far more remote and rugged, providing one of the best backcountry experiences near Whistler. Many visitors use the campground as a base to explore viewpoints above the lake, a glacial cold water swim or simply enjoy one of the finest mountain settings in the Coast Mountains.
Wedgemount Lake Hiking & Camping Overview
Everything you need to know about hiking and camping at Wedgemount Lake near Whistler, from trail difficulty and permits to why this is considered one of British Columbia’s toughest and most rewarding alpine hikes.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route Name | Wedgemount Lake Trail |
| Location | Garibaldi Provincial Park, north of Whistler, British Columbia |
| Trail Type | Out-and-back backpacking and alpine hiking route |
| Distance | 13 km / 8.1 miles return |
| Elevation Gain | Approximately 1,200 m / 3,937 ft |
| Hiking Time | 6–10 hours return or 2 days backpacking |
| Trailhead | Wedgemount Lake Trailhead on Highway 99, around 15 minutes north of Whistler |
| Campground | Wedgemount Lake Campground with tent pads, pit toilets and glacier-fed water sources nearby |
| Permits Required | BC Parks Backcountry Camping Reservation for overnight stays |
| Difficulty | Hard — a relentless climb with over 1,200 m of elevation gain in just 6.5 km |
| Highest Point | Wedgemount Lake basin beneath Wedgemount Glacier at approximately 1,875 m elevation |
| Best Season | July to early October when trail conditions are generally snow-free and camping is accessible |
| Best Time of Day | Early morning for cooler climbing temperatures and easier parking at the trailhead |
| Highlights | Turquoise alpine lake, Wedgemount Glacier, glacier viewpoints, rugged Coast Mountain scenery and backcountry camping |
| Best For | Fit hikers, experienced backpackers and anyone searching for one of the best hikes near Whistler |
Planning
Reservations & Permits
Camping at Wedgemount Lake requires a BC Parks reservation. Summer weekends often book months in advance, particularly between July and September. If you’re planning a weekend trip, reserve as early as possible.
Start Early
The trail is steep from the very beginning and becomes significantly more enjoyable if tackled in cooler morning temperatures. Day hikers should aim to start before 9:00am, while backpackers should arrive early enough to secure a good campsite and enjoy the lake in the evening. The car park is smaller than Rubble Creek and Diamond Head for comparison.
Prepare for a Steep Climb
Unlike Garibaldi Lake or Elfin Lakes, there is very little gradual hiking on the Wedgemount Lake trail. Expect sustained elevation gain for most of the route, with rocky and root-covered sections requiring steady effort. This becomes more apparent when backpacking with a heavy pack being hauled up the steep gradients.
Pack for Alpine Weather
Even during summer, conditions can change quickly at 2000m elevation. Warm temperatures at the trailhead can become cold winds, rain, or even snow near the lake. Bring layers, a waterproof shell, and extra food, as we had a hot afternoon for a swim and then torrential rain overnight. We used our down jackets for after sunset to stay warm next to the lake and as the wind picked up in the valley.
Bring Plenty of Water
The climb out of the forest can be hot during summer afternoons. Carry enough water for the ascent and bring a filtration system for refilling near the lake.
Spend the Night If You Can
While the hike can be completed in a day, an overnight trip is highly recommended. Camping allows more time to enjoy the lake, photograph sunrise and sunset, and explore the surrounding alpine terrain without rushing.
Combine It With Whistler
One of the biggest advantages of Wedgemount Lake is its location. After your hike, it’s only a short drive to Whistler, making it the perfect place to celebrate with a good meal, coffee, local beer, or a relaxing recovery day before heading home.
What I Packed for Wedgemount Lake
![Backpacking Packing List: Complete Gear Checklist for Multi-Day Hikes](https://backpackersmentality.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/elfin_lake_campsite-scaled.jpg")
BC Backpacking Itinerary
Build the ultimate Coast Mountains backpacking trip
Looking for a bigger adventure? Combine Elfin Lakes, Panorama Ridge, Black Tusk, and Wedgemount Lake into an unforgettable multi-day journey through Garibaldi Provincial Park and the Coast Mountains. This itinerary links together three of the most iconic backpacking trips near Vancouver.
Wedgemount Lake Trailhead
We took an easy morning at Taylor’s Meadows to pack up camp after a huge hiking day previously. The descent down to Rubble Creek car park was easy with lighter packs and gravity on our side. As expected, many hikers were setting off coming up the path. Rubble Creek car park was fuller, being a Friday, so we drove on down and past Whistler to Wedgemount Lake.
The access road to the trailhead is poorly maintained with 18% gradients and loose rocks, potholes, and narrow sections. It’s a much smaller car park than Diamond Head or Rubble Creek, with many day hikers and campers. So it’s best to aim to get there early to avoid missing a car parking spot, even if the campsite spots by the lake will be quiet. We packed the bags for the last time with fresh water and kept them as light as possible, as we had a 1200m climb in just 5km to tackle.
Wedgemount Lake Hike
To start with, you cross a small stream, and then immediately the trail starts rising up, which won’t stop for another 5km. Where Garibaldi Lake climbs around 900m in 9km, this is over double the steepness. The saving grace is that there is heavy tree cover to avoid the hot sun. The hiking path to Wedgemount Lake is loose with roots and dirt covering, which requires care when with a larger trekking backpack.
The path has no forgiveness and only gets more brutal. You scramble up rocks and roots as you plug away towards the Lake, painfully gaining elevation with each step. Despite limited views or distractions, there are boulder fields to scramble over and a distant waterfall to try to spot. At halfway, we paused for lunch in a boulder field before continuing the march up the mountain.
Eventually, you reach the final push, which is a 150m scramble up a narrow, loose rock gulley. The other hikers were very encouraging as we worked our way carefully to the highest point of the hike with our camping gear heavy on the back. The baking sun made this section the hardest, but there were enjoyable views behind us when needing a breather.
Wedgemount Lake
The steep gulley arises above the treeline and plateaus off with Wedgemount Lake hidden for the moment. We spotted Wedgemount Shelter and the higher camp with several tents perched on wooden platforms high above the turquoise waters below. The vastness of Wedgemount Lake opens up from upper camp, with snow-capped peaks surrounding 3 sides of the lake and Wedgemount Glacier at the top end of the lake. Now we had a decision to make for camp.
We decided we would continue to the lower campsite so we would be next to the water for swimming and the aesthetic views. After starting around 11am, we arrived early in the afternoon as we climbed faster than expected. It was enjoyable to hike downwards to the lower campsite and finished the 6km hike in the hot sun. Unlike the upper camp, the camping spots were stony pads with only a couple taken. We surveyed the various spots and picked our favourite before other backpackers arrived.
We quickly pitched the Big Agnes Copper Spur tent and got ready for a dip in the glacial waters. It was freezing but refreshing, given we had several days of sweat and dirt to wash off. It was a bucket list item of swimming in a Canadian lake since moving to Vancouver. Our only issue was the mosquitoes and insects attacking us after our Glacial Swim.
Tupper Lake
To escape the insects around camp, we did a short walk up to Tupper Lake for some photography. It was blissfully quiet from people and insects further up the valley, with the most spectacular photographs of Wedgemount Lake and the glaciers above. We scrambled up the rocky outcrop for the best vantage point and took in the view in the remote alpine terrain. It’s only a 10-15 minute walk to Tupper Lake and is a must-do!
We returned to see more campers pitching tents around the edge of the Lake. Most of the spots were reserved, with the day hikers heading back down the steep trail to the car park. Most people braved the freezing cold waters for a swim even as the sun was setting and camp was cooling. Elfin Lakes were more comfortable for lake swimming but not as revitalising as the glacial waters.
Wedgemount Lake Evening & Sunset
We finally relaxed with some reading, photography around Wedgemount and playing cards next to the camp. We made dinner and tea with our cooking equipment next to camp. It was lovely to unwind next to the lake after 3 days of heavy backpacking in Garibaldi Provincial Park. It was our final night, and we were lucky to see a pretty sunset over Wedgemount Lake; a perfect end to the backpacking trip.
Wedgemount Descent
Overnight, there was torrential rain and strong winds, which were not forecasted. Many other campers had left stuff outside their tent, but we had used the porches to store the backpacks and shoes thankfully. The Big Agnes held up well with no rain soaking through! We woke with a good night’s rest and packed up to get down early, as we planned on popping into Whistler before driving back to Vancouver.
Packing up a wet tent is never fun, but the backpacks felt light at last for the final descent! We enjoyed a bagel breakfast next to the Shelter to escape the mosquitoes hovering near the lakeshore. Unfortunately, the lower camp toilet was broken, so we had to use the one up the hill at upper camp before we started our careful descent all the way back to the car.
The steep gulley to start the hike down was painful on the knees, but we flew down. We met some fast climbers who had started early to attempt climbing Mount Wert in a day. We had an interesting encounter with another backpacker who we quickly caught up and overtook as normal. Yet the solo male didn’t seem happy with us shooting down the mountain. Roisin and I put our heads down and very fast descended to try to get some distance so we could have a normal conversation instead of someone closely following. This continued for 30mins when he eventually made a comment about trying to keep up and feeling safer with other backpackers.
If he had just asked if he could tag along, then I wouldn’t have minded, but the fact he made us uncomfortable and was awkward wasn’t the best. We eventually pulled ahead on a boulder field, and the elastic finally broke for the last few kilometres. Day hikers started climbing in the opposite direction and gave us space to safely by. Finally, our hiking in this BC Backpacking trip was finished as we reached the trailhead car park. We changed our clothes and freshened up before heading off as cars were circling for free car parking spaces.
Whistler
Before driving back to Vancouver, we planned to spend a few hours in Whistler. We had stayed there for several nights a few years ago on our Canadian Road Trip. We parked at one of the large car parks and then started on a chilled walk around Lost Lake. Despite the flat elevation, our feet and legs were feeling the strain from the previous 4 days of hiking. It was a sunny day with many people swimming and sunbathing around the lake.
The town was super busy as usual, with the shops bustling. We treated ourselves to lunch at Alpha Cafe, where we shared a delicious Foccacia and Wrap with coffee. I took photos of Whistler with my camera before we returned to the car. We attempted to visit Brandywine Falls; however, the car park was full, so instead we drove back to Vancouver to avoid arriving too late in rush-hour traffic. We easily dropped the car back to Enterprise and had completed our first BC Backpacking trip together.
Ready for Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge & Black Tusk?
Elfin Lakes is the perfect introduction to backpacking in Garibaldi Provincial Park, but the adventure doesn’t stop there. Continue to Taylor Meadows and experience turquoise lakes, volcanic peaks, Black Tusk, and the world-famous Pano Ridge — one of the most spectacular viewpoints in British Columbia.
Read the Garibaldi Guide
Summary
The Wedgemount Lake hike is one of British Columbia’s classic mountain adventures. While the steep climb tests even experienced hikers, the combination of glacier views, alpine scenery, and vibrant turquoise water makes every metre of elevation gain worthwhile.
For backpackers, Wedgemount Lake camping offers the chance to experience the area at its best, with quieter evenings, dramatic mountain sunsets, and extra time to explore beyond the lake itself. If you’re looking for a hike that truly earns its reward, few destinations near Whistler can compete with Wedgemount Lake.
Whether you’re finishing a Garibaldi Provincial Park road trip or simply searching for the best Whistler hiking trails, Wedgemount Lake deserves a place high on your bucket list.
FAQ
How difficult is the Wedgemount Lake hike?
The Wedgemount Lake hike is considered difficult due to its steep elevation gain and relentless climb. Despite being relatively short in distance, it is one of the most physically demanding hikes near Whistler.
Can you camp at Wedgemount Lake?
Yes. Wedgemount Lake camping is available through BC Parks and offers one of the most spectacular backcountry camping experiences in British Columbia. Reservations are required during the main hiking season.
How long is the Wedgemount Lake hike?
The Wedgemount Lake hike is approximately 13 km round trip with around 1,200 metres of elevation gain. Most hikers take between 6 and 10 hours depending on pace and conditions.
Is Wedgemount Lake harder than Garibaldi Lake?
Yes. Most hikers consider the Wedgemount Lake hike significantly more difficult than the Garibaldi Lake trail due to its much steeper elevation gain and more demanding terrain.
When is the best time to hike Wedgemount Lake?
The best time to hike Wedgemount Lake is typically from July to early October when snow has mostly melted from the trail and camping areas. Early-season conditions can remain alpine and snowy.
Do you need a permit for Wedgemount Lake camping?
Yes. Anyone planning Wedgemount Lake camping must secure a backcountry reservation through BC Parks. Summer permits are limited and often book out well in advance.
