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Wedgemount Lake

  • 2014-07-15 10:24:39

    It was a scorching hot weekend in Whistler, so I headed to Semaphore Lakes for the 2nd weekend in a row on Saturday, then over to Wedge on Sunday. It was a little cooler in the alpine, but I still saw a few stars on the descents both days from the sun.

    This Trail Tuesday's post: Wedgemount Lake, in Garibaldi Provincial Park. 

    After a steep hike up, this is the view that greets you just as you crest over the top of the trail:

    emily haggar wedgemount 01

    This lake is so green it's hard to believe it's real even when you're right beside it. Filled with glacier flour, it's bright and opaque at the same time. No matter how many times I come here, it still takes my breath away.

    After putting a last minute call in to my friend Claire, she drove up from Van to meet me for our 4th annual visit to the Wedge ice cave. I'd take this over the beach any day!

    emily haggar wedgemount 02

    At the far end of the lake, there's a cool area at the toe of the glacier, which in past years has been an ice cave. This year however, it was more of an ice wall, with crevasse slices ready to fall into the water. I was a little bit excited to be back here.

    emily haggar wedgemount 03

    emily haggar wedgemount 04

    The scale above is about three time my height from the water to the top of the ice. This is one hot summer on the coast so I am curious to see how this looks in August and September. Water was pouring off the glacier in a waterfall at the far right, and running in streams from this area.. beautiful and sad at the same time. 

    If your knees can handle the steep trail, this trail is a must if you're in Whistler. The mountains are huge, there's lots to explore, the camping is epic, and your eyes will be as big as saucers with the incredible landscape. 

    emily haggar wedgemount 05