Brohm Lake

If you have traveled the Sea To Sky Highway to Whistler, than you have passed, and probably noticed, the Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest just north of Squamish, BC. Set amongst a beautiful lush, quiet forested, the region has a number of trails that circle the lake, climb up to viewpoints overlooking the Cheakamus River, and even access the Paradise Valley area.

From the main parking lot, this description will do a counter-clockwise loop around the lake and take the longer route around the High Trail and Cheakamus Loop Trail before returning back via the wooden bridge. For those wanting a longer route, exploring the Thompson Trail down to Paradise Valley and the Hatchery is an option but make sure to allow 1.5 - 2 hours of extra time as the trail is not included in this description and is very steep.

Walk towards the main wooden signboard and go right a few steps to a junction to the outhouses. Go right towards the outhouses and take a quick left before reaching them and you will find yourself following a trail uphill as it winds its way through the forest and around the rocks. Continue your hike along the trail, staying on the main route as the trail climbs and descends through wooden steps.

After crossing a couple of wooden bridges, you will reach a marker with the Brohm Creek Trail. As of 2012, the trail is accessible, however the Powerline Trail shown on maps in the area is heavily overgrown and too difficult to use. Go left at the junction and a short distance later, you reach the junction with the Thompson Trail. The Thompson Trail is a steep route that connects to the Paradise Valley area. Go left at this junction and continue walking around the Brohm Lake trail.

The route continues meandering through the forest, offering occasional glimpses of the lake before reaching a junction with the Connector Trail. Go right up the steep slope for a short distance to another junction that meets with the High Trail. Take the long route by going right to yet another junction with the Tantalus View Trail that climbs steeply to a fairly overgrown view of the Tantalus Mountain Range.

Back on the main trail, walk along the High Trail as it curves and drops down a few steps before passing through a somewhat overgrown area and reaching an old logging road. This marks the start of the Cheakamus Loop Trail to the right (note: if you want a shorter route, following the old logging road will connect you to the end of the Cheakamus Loop Trail). Along the Cheakamus Loop, the trail passes a picnic table, just off the trail in a clearing, before climbing quickly and passing several viewpoints overlooking the Squamish Valley and Tantalus Mountain Range. Continue following the well defined path, enjoying the quiet forest and all of the moss covered trees, before heading downhill and eventually rejoining the old logging road at a point further east.

On the other side of the logging road, a few meters to the left in an area that's overgrown with plants, there is a sign marking the High Trail. Follow this trail as it gradually ascends out of the overgrown section and back into the forest before reaching a 3-way junction. At the junction, go right and just a few hundred meters, continue to the left passing the Alder Trail junction as you head back towards Brohm Lake. About 15 minutes later, the trail exists the forest onto a wooden bridge that crosses the lake and offers scenic views of the surrounding water and mountains.

After crossing the bridge, go left and walk along the gravel trail next to the highway, taking in one last view of the lake on top of a rocky bluff, before reaching the parking lot area.