Backpack to Lake Lovely Water
Squamish, British Columbia
Details
Distance
6.24 miles
Elevation Gain
3714 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Matt Hosford
Lake Lovely Water is one of the best Kept Secret in Vancouver - Whistler Area. Enjoy beautiful, sanctioned campsites, canoeing on the lake, and very few people around.
This adventure is one of the best kept secrets in the Whistler area, let alone, British Columbia. The trailhead for Lake Lovely Water is located on the west side of the Squamish River. There is no road access to the trailhead so you need to cross the river via boat. Make reservations with the jet boat operation prior to the trip. There is overnight parking in the parking lot across from The Watershed Grill (49°45’409.2”N, 122°57’27.5”W). Alternatively, people rent or bring their canoes/kayaks and lock them up on the other side. For jetboat service across the Squamish River, call Jay Bricknell at 604-815-9647 or 1-866-466-2628.
Once at the trailhead, the trail is straight forward up to Lake Lovely Water. The trail begins relatively flat for the first 0.5 km / 0.3 mile and then turns steep as the trail climbs its way up the valley wall. The trail is rugged making progress slow. The large old growth forest and rushing river below create a great ambiance while you stop to catch your breath.
The trail only flattens out once you reach the bottom of Lake Lovely Water. At the fork, the trail to the right crosses the river and goes to the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) hut ($25 a night), a few camp spots and the dock with two canoes. Only paid hut members have access to the canoes.
The trail to the left hugs the southern edge of the lake for two kilometers and ends at a small beach campsite. Set up camp and enjoy the glacial views on the other side of the lake. Take the canoes out for a spin if you’ve paid the ACC fee.
There are a number of peaks and ridges to scramble up so the next morning follow the trail up the creek next to the campsite to Niobe Basin. From here Mt. Omega, Mt. Niobe, Mt Pelops and Iota Mountain stand before you. Go southwest up to the Omega-Pelops col and soak in the glorious views.
If time & energy permits, there are more trails on the north side of Lake Lovely Water or just crack open that wine and paddle the lake.
Once back in Squamish, head over to The Howe Sound Brewery to celebrate.
Notes:
- BCParks.ca for updated information
- Trailhead Coordinates: 49.797919, -123.206504
- Beach Campground: 49.779172, -123.254040
- Niobe Basin: 49.776612, -123.252167
- The Watershed Grill
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Backpack to Lake Lovely Water Reviews
This hike and the hut are AMAZING. I am not reviewing either. I am reviewing JAY THE BOAT GUY. That guy who supposedly you hire to take you on a "speed boat" across the river so you can hike without taking the sketchy cable car or risk having your canoe stolen or car towed from parking on the other side of the river. Well, let's just start off by saying that Jay did not take us in a speed boat, which would have been much safer, he took us on a canoe and made my boyfriend paddle with him (we paid him 100$ to cross the river and back for the both of us). I wasn't so weirded out by this but I was a bit concerned because the ad said it would be a speed boat (it's a lie unless you have 10+ people). On the way back, however, things got a little ridiculous. He was "paragliding" the day he was suppose to pick us up, so he sent four of his buddies to get us. First off, they were TWO HOURS LATE. We sat by the river for a total of three hours (because we were early) while we waited for them, all the while hoping we wouldn't have any cougars or bears visit us while we sat in a vulnerable spot (we saw tracks on the beach...). These friends showed up DRUNK and HIGH on weed, and were drinking IN THE CAR. Also we were NOT GIVEN LIFEJACKETS in the boat. Two of them were wearing shirts (they were topless), and one continuously commented on how "beautiful" I am... I felt incredibly uncomfortable, but was nervous to talk back because I needed to get home and didn't want to make anyone angry. I was offered both beer and weed on the spot when we met them. We hopped in the truck after they loaded the boat back on the trailer. They were all DRINKING IN THE CAR while driving, and I have not felt so uncomfortable or unsafe in my life. Because not all of us fit into the truck, one of the guys stood up in the back with his drink and proceeded to scream and howl at the top of his lungs while we drove on the dirt road. THIS is what we paid $100 for...?! I advise anyone heading to this lake who is hiking to find a better way to get there than Jay. He is clearly unreliable and overcharges for his "services". I am not impressed and wish my experience on NO ONE.
1.0
This hike was super impressive! We rented a canoe to get across the Squamish Valley River, as the jet boat service doesn't do groups smaller then 5. We just hid our canoe on the other side.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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