A great backpack for those getting ready for the backpacking seasoning or wanting to try out new gear or ease into backcountry camping.

We will leave early Saturday morning.  Hike in Saturday and camp the night.  There is an opportunity for a side hike at the top after we set up camp or early the next morning on Sunday before we descend.

Steeply rising from Lower Joffre Lake, the glacier-laden peaks are visible from an easily accessible viewpoint 500 meters from the parking lot. If you carry on, the trail becomes a rough, rocky and steep hike through the Coast Mountain range. Evidence of the park’s glacial history can be found in the U-shaped valleys, glacial silts, and lateral moraines. This magnificent area of jagged peaks, icefields, cold rushing streams and turquoise blue lakes was established as a recreation area in 1988 and became a Class A park in 1996.

A highlight of the park is the turquoise blue waters of Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre lakes, all three of which are located along the trail, and each more stunning than the last. Their striking, saturated blue color is caused by “rockflour” – or glacial silt – that is suspended in the water and reflects green and blue wavelengths of sunlight. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has opportunities for hiking, camping, mountaineering, wildlife viewing, and fishing.

Above information is from http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/joffre_lks/

Location map from Kamloops to Joffre: https://goo.gl/maps/dx1a3WZVL7E2

Map of hike: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/joffre_lks/joffre-map.pdf?v=1517106351518

A valid backcountry camping permit is required for an overnight stay, fee is 5.00$/night:   https://secure.camis.com/DiscoverCamping/Backcountry/JoffreLakes?Map

Addition and Extension to Monday – Viola Lake Mountain Hike

Distance: 6.8km (round trip)

Cumulative elevation gain: 587m

From Joffre Lake parking lot drive the Duffey highway towards Lillooet.  Turn left onto the Downton Forest Service Road (immediately after the Cottonwood rec site). Continue for ~11km up the FSR and stay left at the fork in the road. Park at a small pull out (on your left) shortly after ~14.5km

Alternate Camping: Forestry Campgrounds – on Highway 99 South – Pit toilets, picnic bench, garbage can – $12.00 a night:  Cottonwood @25 https://goo.gl/vTXNLE

Rogers Creek @34km  https://goo.gl/3KTEY4  

Cinnamon @22km  https://goo.gl/AV35RR

Gott Creek @32km https://goo.gl/5ztf9P

Saturday: Hike up to Joffre Lake Campsite 5.5km – explore

Sunday: Hike out of Joffre and drive to Cottonwood Forestry Campsite

Monday: Hike Viola Lake Mountain and then drive home.