3 Great Hikes for the Shoulder Season

It's snowing on the coast! We've had weeks of rain in the valley, and the mountain tops are bright white. Touring season is coming, but in the meantime, here are 3 great spots to enjoy shoulder season around Whistler.

1. Joffre Lakes - This is the perfect place to go in all 12 months of the year. Unlike most of the other alpine trails, this one has very little avalanche exposure on the way up, is an even grade, and gets you up high and into the alpine quickly. We had a great hike here on the weekend, and came down with headlamps. This is one of the only times of the year you'll get some alone time with Joffre Lakes, so go enjoy it!

2. Garibaldi Lake - This is another place that stays accessable long after hikes like Wedge get too treacherous. The trail has a perfect grade, making it easy to hike in the mud or snow. It's also nice and quiet right now, especially on a foggy day like this:

3. Cheakamus Lake - This is one of my favorite fall hikes. The fog hangs in the old growth forest, giving you the ultimate west coast hiking experience. Top it off with a gorgeous turquoise lake, breaks of sun, and an easy trail, this one is awesome for a hike or a bike ride. 

It's the time of year when you need head to toe GoreTex, waterproof hiking boots and a thermos of tea in your pack. I've worn my down jacket every weekend in the alpine for the past month as well. Stay warm and happy trails!