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Steven Mooney from Vancouver writes:
Beautiful even in poor weather. Not as steep as expected.
I left a red Nike hat and some brown fossil shades in the emergency hut on the upper deck, right hand side. If anyone picked them up please let me know. Thanks.
Posted: June 30, 2023 07:49:25 AM PST
Mark from Delta writes:
(This review will be leaning more towards those who want to do overnight) Hike was done August 2 to August 3 2021)
As difficulty as advertised and I would say for experienced hikers (7 to 8 out of 10 but that is subjective to the individual hiker) The theme for 3/4 of this hike is nothing but tree however there are some small pockets in certain areas where you can see parts of mountains or waters fall. Hiking poles are strongly recommended and essential if you are planning a over night for going up or down.
The difficulty of this trail starts at the beginning of the trail and continues 3/4 of the hike up. There are some parts where it's flat but the majority is climbing. You will be climbing elevation really quick and there are not many switchbacks which can be hard on the knees, quads and cardio. It's relentless and many breaks will do you wonders. Some parts of the trail are extremely dusty and unstable.
Half way up (2hrs to 2.hrs in) you'll come across a stream and I would advise to restock on water if you are running low because this is your only water resources until you get to the lake at the top. From the stream you'll be climbing another 1 to 2 hours before you get to the rocky climb which can be very difficult.
The rocky climb is the final stretch and caution needs to be used while climbing. There are lots of lose rocks, gravel and dusty. A fall could be serious and potentially fatal with one wrong step. I wouldn't consider this part of the hike a "trail" it's literally just rocks and boulders that have fallen creating a "path". You're very close once you clear this section and you're 10 minutes away from the camp site.
There are two locations with pads. There are pads on the upper section of the site near the outhouse and lower section near the water. The upper pads have a fairly nice view of the lake however are a 10-15 minute walk to a water source. It's fairly windy and the pads are made of solid wood so you'll need a decent sleeping pad to sleep on. The lower pads are just small rocks and pebbles where you can get away with a smaller thinner sleeping pad that doesn't weigh as much. The lower pads are also less windy.
The lower pads are also a 10 minute walk to the glacier with a small hidden lake. The trail is very easy although there are some rocks you need to climb to get to the lake/glacier. There are small "icebergs" floating around in this lake.
At night time there is a ridge where you can see the sunset which is very nice but bring warm clothing because it cools down really fast and the cold breeze comes in quick. This is the section at the top of the boulder area which is 25 minutes from the pads near the water or 10 minutes from the upper pads.
Returning wasn't as difficult or long however this is where the poles come in handy. The 1/4 of the trip down was down the rocks. I would recommend staying to the left where there is more stability on the larger boulders. There is also some grassy patches where hiking poles can dig into for extra stability. A 3rd of the way down this section you'll need to cross over to the dirty/loose gravel section but once you clear this you're onto the the rest of the hike heading down.
The rest of the hike down is at moderate speed and difficulty. There are some sections where it's just dusty dirt sections and you could lose your footing. Not too hard on your knees if you have poles. Also as mentioned before this section of the hike is all shaded by trees so you'll get cover from the sun. Again half way down you'll come across the stream if you're needed to stock up on water this is the time.
Hike from parking lot to campsite 5hrs
Hike back to parking lot 4hrs
Conclusion:
Overall for the grueling hike up and down I would say the value of the scenery is not there and would rate this hike a 3/5 stars. Though I still enjoyed the hike probably because of my closet masochism I would suggested Garibaldi as an alternative for anyone who wants to camp overnight near glacier water. Or Joffrey Lakes for those who want to do a day hike to glacier water.
Posted: August 4, 2021 09:38:08 AM PST
Tadros from VANCOUVER writes:
great day hike if you're into trail running with a light bag.
Posted: July 10, 2021 05:59:55 PM PST
Jason Hong from Toronto writes:
Camped overnight. Water source (small pond) you can boil is close to the metal tower food hang at the campsite. Great scenery. Issue in the descent. My bag was way too big for a safe down climb on that one steep gravel section. I had to take my bag off and lower it at some points w/ a small length rope, which did help. I saw people w/ smaller packs and hiking poles which did seem like the better idea :P A couple of water sources along the way for the entire hike. Drank the water straight. Tasted good and didn't get sick lol. It wasn't too crazy hard. However, I did start the trail late when going up. Night hiking (w/ a headlamp of course) up the last gravel section was a bit interesting an fun. I lost the markers but thankfully the phone's gps still worked - at least I knew I was going in the right direction. I will recommend this hike!
Posted: October 9, 2020 09:07:27 AM PST
Libby from Vancouver writes:
Do not over estimate your fitness ability to do this hike. It is quite tough both up and down. I highly suggest poles. But it’s gorgeous when you’re at the top!
Posted: September 8, 2020 10:05:43 PM PST
Dave from Vancouver writes:
Went up yesterday, it's a great hike.
Note that the parking is not located at the big green water tower thing near the end of the road, though Google Maps may tell you otherwise. You'll want to drive past it for a 300m or so, and you'll see the parking there.
The trail itself climbs steadily from the get-go. This time of year bits of snow littered the ground about an hour in, with more the higher we went.
It's probably nearing the end of the season for this hike. Nearing the top, the steep sections have enough snow that it's difficult to get traction on. If you do go this time of year, I'd highly recommend microspikes. If you don't have them, at least bring some gloves as your hands will get cold in the snow when you slip.
As for the hike itself, it's got some nice views, close ups of glaciers, and camping opportunities if you're up for it. Saw a couple groups up there, I'm sure they'll have a blast.
Going at a steady pace, the climb up took me 3 hours, and the way down about 2h40m due to the slipperiness at the top. You'll need an extra hour or so if you want to get a closer view of the glaciers.
Posted: September 29, 2019 02:19:01 PM PST
Olga from Surrey writes:
Finding the trail was a bit of a challenge. Look carefully for a small handmade sign as you drive up the gravel road. Then as you cross the bridge from the parking lot, the trail will be marked by pink ribbons to your right.
The trail itself goes mostly through the forest. The views start near the top. There's a cabin, a lake, and a glacier you can approach. Don't miss the Wedgemount glacier, it is spectacular. Important to note, give yourself ample time to go down. The trail is steep and the way down takes about the same time as the way up. It took us 2.5 hours to reach the cabin.
Overall, the trail is on a tougher side, but not the hardest around. Definitely worth doing!
Posted: September 22, 2019 11:26:52 PM PST
Rob from Surrey writes:
We did this hike yesterday Friday Aug. 30, 2019. Cloudy day for hike to top. Had two spells of sun open up to see the lake and mountains, glaciers and surrounding area. (Awesome). Went to glacier and well worth it, got great pictures of everything with sunshine for 10-15 minutes and then clouds rolled back in to area. (No Rain). Took 3 hours up to hut. Spent 2 hours on top to glacier and back. Saw Marmotts along lakeside to glacier. Went back down with cloud cover and took 2 hours 25 minutes to get down. Real Knee buster going back down. Had poles for up and down and it definitely helps. Relentless uphill hike and seems longer than it says. Definitely worth doing the hike to see how amazing it is at the top.. 10 plus hike but make sure you are fit enough to complete the whole hike including the glacier. Lots of people going up for long weekend and camping. It has great spots alone the lake for tenting.
Posted: August 31, 2019 09:26:55 AM PST
Megan from Vancouver writes:
Wow this was a tough hike but all worth it when you get to the too. The lake is stunning and make sure you walk to the glacier because that is breathtaking! Next to no snow on the trail, on a tiny bit at the very top!
Posted: June 23, 2019 04:11:18 PM PST
Trina from Vancouver writes:
Love this hike. Last time I did this was July last year. Does anyone know the conditions now? Planning to go end of April.
Posted: April 23, 2019 10:40:23 AM PST
Joerg Zuend from Port Angeles writes:
I hiked this "trail" on April 2, 2019. This was my first hike in BC. We came up here because my wife wanted to do some serious skiing in Whistler. Which left me finding a nice hike. Perusing the map it felt to me that Wedgemount Lake might be nice. I would not be disappointed.
It was a cool night, so the snow was frozen early morning when I started. The road was not passable - so I hiked up to the trailhead in Microspikes just occasionally falling through the crust. At the trailhead it was time to decide on a route. Looking up there is a clear cut on the right side of the creek. I decided to walk straight up on my assessment that walking in snowshoes on open land rather than the trail which according to the map is meandering alongside the creek, is easier. After about 200 meters elevation gain I reached a rock slide which appeared not very easy to cross. There was an elaborate ladder system installed for what I guess is some kind of construction work. I decided not to use the ladders since I was unsure of the purpose. I donned crampons and found a place that with three or four scrambling moves, with help of ice axe, got me above the rock slide and the 3 meter high rock obstacle. If you are not feeling comfortable with scrambling this would be the end of your hike.The ice axe was necessary to get traction on the ocy and mossy rock. Above the rockslide I continued in snowshoes straight up past some kind of container (constuction site?) until I joined the trail. The trail is clearly flagged and the snow was deep at that level. There was little falling through the snow because of invisible rocks or trees. The snow was simply deep enough. It is just beautiful snow shoeing in not excessively steep terrain of about 30% to 60% incline depending on location. Once you reach the top of the ridge you are awarded with an absolute stunning view of the high mountains including Wedgemount glacier / mountain; which is well worth the effort of getting there.
The hike was quite arduous and it took me awhile to get to Wedgemount Lake. So I abandoned my original plan to get onto the glacier because of lack of time.
In returning I chose to go down on the other side of the creek avoiding the rockslide and along the designated trail.
That was a mistake. It was warm enough that on almost every other step I feel through the snow sometime knee or even hip deep. It was a rather painful way of coming down. I was back at the parking lot after about a total of nine hours.
Posted: April 5, 2019 07:21:40 PM PST
Sasha from Vancouver writes:
We are thinking of doing this hike this weekend - November 17. Is that too late in the season? Will it be too cold/icy? Any tips would be great. Thank you!
Posted: November 13, 2018 06:37:27 PM PST
Arianna from Denver writes:
Amazing views from the top, but not for the faint of heart. We are used to hiking at a high elevation in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, but this was different. Not much in the way of flat areas..... essentially straight up the whole time. A bit of snow and ice at the top, but if you use your hands it isn’t too bad. We wish that we had brought our micro-spikes! Even though it was difficult, I would do it again in a heart beat
Posted: October 20, 2018 08:28:55 PM PST
Jennifer from Vancouver writes:
Did you end up going, @Andrea?
I am planning to hike up there this coming weekend.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Posted: October 17, 2018 10:54:27 AM PST
Andrea from Chicago writes:
Did you end up hiking this today? Am thinking about going tomorrow. Any trail conditions report would be awesome. Thank you!
Posted: October 13, 2018 07:12:48 PM PST
Charmaine from Vancouver writes:
Thinking of hiking Wedgemont on Saturday (Oct. 13). Has anyone been up the last couple of days? Thanks =)
Posted: October 12, 2018 06:40:21 PM PST
GL from Vancouver writes:
Incredibly warm fall day, end of September. No bugs, no crowds (maybe a dozen hikers at the most), and the payoff at the top is spectacular.
That's the good. The not-so-good: this is a seriously demanding trail, mostly roots, rocks and knee bends. I admit not completely believing the reviews, and I do now. The hike up gains height quickly, but plan to spend at least double the time on the way down, especially if backpacking.
Guessing this is probably close to the end of the season, some muddy spots and running water in places.
Posted: September 29, 2018 12:51:54 PM PST
Analia from Vancouver writes:
We hiked Wedgemount yesterday and sadly my baby lost one of her shoes, I know it's random but if someone find it, can you please contact me? My email is [email protected].
She was wearing those for the first time and it was a gift from my sister :(
We do this hike every year and it was really special this time because we went with the little one! It's amazing up there but it made me sad to see how much the glacier changed, it's so different now! The lake is stunning and it's always so beautiful!
Posted: September 3, 2018 07:57:49 PM PST
Analia from Vancouver writes:
We hiked Wedgemount yesterday and sadly my baby lost one of her shoes, I know it's random but if someone find it, can you please contact me? My email is [email protected].
She was wearing those for the first time and it was a gift from my sister :(
We do this hike every year and it was really special this time because we went with the little one! It's amazing up there but it made me sad to see how much the glacier changed, it's so different now! The lake is stunning and it's always so beautiful!
Posted: September 3, 2018 11:02:16 AM PST
Liz from Vancouver writes:
Just did this hike over the weekend! Me and 4 other girls camped for one night. We are all fairly fit and exercise regularly, and this hike was still extremely challenging. We also had about 25lb bags strapped to our backs which probably made the hike harder, but the elevation gain is very real. If it's rainy, be extremely careful on the rocks as the scramble can be pretty dangerous if you don't watch your footing. Beautiful views at the top. Colder than expected so bring layers.
Posted: August 27, 2018 01:49:28 PM PST
sammy from vancouver writes:
how do you access the hike where do you park and whatnot it was a struggle for me to find where the trail starts, thanks
Posted: August 22, 2018 02:10:31 AM PST
Mallory from Vancouver writes:
Hiked this with my partner on Saturday and camped up there -- it's a pretty intense hike and the way down is slippery. Saturday the smoke was less than on the way down Sunday am.
It's my second time doing this hike, and the first time I didn't go to the glacier, which was so worth it.
Posted: August 20, 2018 11:11:39 AM PST
Krista from New westminster writes:
Four of us hiked Wedgemount Lake on Saturday August 19th. Took us about 3 hours and a bit up and 3 hours and a bit down. I think you should be in decent shape to complete this hike as it’s quite steep. Trail is quite dry so a bit slippery in some places. I would recommend bringing poles. It was pretty smoky during the hike and at the top. Would be great to do this hike when the smoke clears as it would be even more spectacular.
Posted: August 19, 2018 09:54:50 AM PST
Adam from vancouver writes:
Went up today... the smoke is around, but didn’t matter at all on the trail, couldn’t feel it and I was running (err as close to running as possible going up this one). You should be good on the smoke front.
Trail is very dry and a bit loose in spots, but pretty good. Just be careful coming down the final scramble, footing there was trickier than I thought it’d be going up, just cause of the dirt.
Posted: August 16, 2018 10:59:54 PM PST
Tu Dao from Vancouver writes:
if someone is going this weekend, could you please let me know the condition up there? Any smoke? Unclear view due to fire...etc.
I am planning to hike next weekend.
Much appreciated!
Posted: August 16, 2018 09:15:14 PM PST
Trish from Abbotsford writes:
Reply to “Alexia from Langley” - idk if you’ll see this comment, but my husband and I are planning to hike and stay overnight this weekend as well (sat-sun Aug 18-19)! Maybe we can meet up and the 4 of us can hike together? 778-242-2996
Posted: August 16, 2018 05:45:22 PM PST
Steph from Vancouver writes:
Just wondering what the conditions are like at the top in terms of smoke? Hoping to do it this coming weekend but want the views! (hiked Elfin Lakes a few days ago and couldn't see anything, so don't want to repeat that)
Posted: August 14, 2018 02:14:40 PM PST
Alexia from Langley writes:
Myself and my husband want to do the Wedgemount trail this coming weekend August 18, 2018and camp overnight. I’m just wondering if anyone else is staying overnight. It’s good to know there will b more people around.
Posted: August 13, 2018 09:25:17 PM PST
Alexia from Langley writes:
Myself and my husband want to do the Wedgemount trail this coming weekend August 18, 2018and camp overnight. I’m just wondering if anyone else is staying overnight. It’s good to know there will b more people around.
Posted: August 12, 2018 09:59:34 PM PST
Hana from Vancouver writes:
One of the most stunning and amazing hikes in the Vancouver area by far!! Decided to it last minute this week as a day hike and didn’t leave the parking lot until 2:40 so I was worried about coming down in the dark from how long all the other comments say. Got to the halfway point at the boulder field in exactly 1hr, ate a snack then continued up and got to the top at 4:35 so total time going up was 1h55m then stayed at the top for 25m then headed down in 1hr15m and got to the car at 6:15 so total time was 3h35m. I saw most people wearing big hiking boots and even some poles but neither are really needed, I did it just fine in my Nike frees.
Posted: August 9, 2018 03:15:46 PM PST
Kristine from Vancouver writes:
We went up this past week. We were not carrying heavy packs - I was wearing a running pack and my partner was wearing a pack (not even a day pack I would say) with all the essentials. Going at what I consider a relaxed pace it took us 2:39 to get up and 2 hours to get down. We spent about an hour at the top - so overall including our stop was a 6 hour day. Make sure you have proper trails shoes with grip (saw some Darwin awards with no water and Nike frees). I ended drinking all 1.5 litres of my water on the way up - we brought a water filter. Poles were very helpful for the last section (especially coming down) but you can do it without poles. Bring plenty of food and water - and the last km or so is very steep (there is a rope to assist you). It is beautiful and worth the trip if you are reasonably fit. It is a lot of climbing but not crazy steep until the last couple of km. There are bugs up there too but they liked my partner and not me!
Posted: August 8, 2018 01:43:12 PM PST
Fah from Vancouver writes:
Went there on August 4th, 2018. I am not a regular hiker and also not very fit, but wanted to do it because of the shorter distance compared to Garibaldi and panorama ridge. The hike was very challenging for me and took me 4 hours to get up and 3 hours to come down. Spent an hour by the lake and honestly it is completely worth it. There are a lot of bugs on the way and bug repellent is a must. Also, the boulder part of the hike have to be done very carefully because the stones keep coming loose and you might slip and fall. My hiking poles were a life saver for this one. In the end it was truely amazing.
Posted: August 6, 2018 12:12:10 AM PST
Luke B from Vancouver writes:
Note:
I see some people saying it took 2.5 or 3 hours to get up.
For those of you who are not experienced hikers, allow MUCH MORE time than that! Although my girlfriend and I were camping overnight and head heavy packs, it took us about 5 hours to get up and about 4 hours to get down. Even with day packs, I would allow for 7-8 hours round trip, depending how much time you want to spend at the top.
Also, for those curious about bugs, YES THERE ARE LOTS OF FLIES (i think deer flies - the big annoying ones)! Especially in the morning. In the evening there were more mosquitoes than flies.
Still an absolutely fantastic hike and worth it though!!
Posted: July 31, 2018 09:53:09 AM PST
Luke B from Vancouver writes:
Hiked and stayed overnight at Wedgemount lake on Sunday, July 29. It was a gorgeous hike.
The day was very hot (over 30 degrees), but it was nice and cool throughout the hike in the forest, I was pleasantly surprised at how cool it stayed (right up until the end, when you're in the open sun during the scramble to the top).
The blue of the lake was incredible (and the swimming was cold but worth it!), and the views in all directions are fantastic. My favourite part of the hike aside from the lake are the wildflowers and views immediately before the final ascent, right after coming out of the forest.
Simply a wonderful and challenging hike all around. Never a dull moment, and it gets interesting right at the start - unlike some hikes in Garibaldi that are fairly boring (on wide gravel paths) for the first few km.
Posted: July 31, 2018 09:46:44 AM PST
B from Vancouver writes:
Be careful doing this hike in winter! Only for experienced/confidant hikers.
Did this hike mid-November, 2017. Only one other pair of hikers on the trail. Leave early and keep a good pace. Any setback will risk it getting dark before reaching the peak.
Signage was poor. Once past the treeline, it is very difficult to find the peak. Not sure we would have found it without footprints from hikers ahead of us. Even then, they scaled the wrong side to begin with. Expect to be crawling up a steep slope on all fours near the top. Plan to stay in the shelter at the top, as it's extremely windy.
Falling into tree wells gets old really quick. We saw cougar tracks along the trail at three different points around halfway and three-quarters up.
Posted: July 23, 2018 12:22:23 PM PST
Jessica from Vancouver writes:
Overall a great hike! Took us about 2.5 hours up and 2 down with minimal breaks. Like the description says, it is STEEP. Prepare for sore calves on the way up and sore knees on the way down. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and don't be afraid to head past the hut at the top to head down to the lake (very cold, but very worth the dip).
Driving directions were a bit off—we went right at two forks and the second time it took us up a steep logging road.
Posted: July 22, 2018 10:04:26 PM PST
Amy from Vancouver writes:
Camped up here overnight. For a Friday night it was perfect and serene. Groups and crowds of people were heading up Saturday morning so it was a good decision afterall to come up on a weekday. There was no bear bin (however one will be there eventually a ranger told me). Got chased by a flock of black flies closer to a marsh area on the way back from exploring the glaciers. Just a couple mosquitos around but nothing to worry about. We slept very well despite the colder temperatures. Overall it is a great hike but more challenging carrying all the gear up. I was surprised at the amount of people hiking up for the day not looking prepared to take on a challenging back country hike. The climb before the top is quite challenging even for someone like myself who hikes and backpacks all the time. Get there early. Coming before 8am Friday morning was no problem but people were parked on the side of the service road once we were done.
Posted: July 21, 2018 06:32:20 PM PST
Anna from Vancouver writes:
We're heading up for the August long weekend. Anyone know if the black flies will be bad at the top? Camping overnight. Thanks.
Posted: July 20, 2018 10:12:10 PM PST
Ron from Vancouver writes:
Wow - what a great hike with spectacular views at the top. This is a difficult hike with lots of elevation gain - I find coming down actually harder than going up, especially the last very steep part. Bring hiking poles to help.
No snow on the trail and the parking lot fills up quickly (was full by 10am on a Thursday).
There is a trail to goes from the campground to the base of the glacier - well worth the hike if time permits.
Posted: July 20, 2018 10:12:21 AM PST
Ian T from Richmond writes:
8 July 2018
Rained the day prior so trails were very wet / muddy and some rocky sections were slippery. No snow or ice on the trail, except for some patches at the lake.
Second time up! It's a blast. Bring more food and water than your normal day hikes.
Posted: July 8, 2018 10:08:26 PM PST
Paul from Surrey writes:
Completed Wedgemount Lake Hike on June 16, 2018. You will encounter snow trial at the last part of the hike, and the snow is melting very fast. I am wearing regular hiking shoes and it is easy for me to hike up there.
Posted: June 18, 2018 09:37:06 AM PST
Katie Smith from Vancouver writes:
Hi, also interested in the road and hike conditions as looking to hike next weekend. Any info would be great.
Thanks!!
Posted: June 10, 2018 02:03:59 PM PST
Paul from Surrey writes:
Anyone attempted this hike recently? Verdict? Road conditions? Any info will be appreciated. THank you :)
Posted: June 5, 2018 10:42:05 AM PST
Amy from Vancouver writes:
Anyone attempted this hike recently? Verdict? Road conditions? Any info will be appreciated. THank you :)
Posted: February 6, 2018 10:52:43 PM PST
Pez from Vancouver writes:
For a longer trip report, check out: https://www.livetrails.com/posts/Wedgemount-Lake-30216.html
We headed up for an overnight (sat-sun). We start the hike around 11am and got to the hut by 3:45, so just an hour before sundown. We took our sweet time but I would still budget 4h as the terrain can be tricky depending on snow/ice conditions.
Not many people on the hike, be prepared for all sorts of weather and trail conditions including slush, snow and ice. Bring crampons and snowshoes.
Despite poor visibility, we still had a blast, especially sliding down the boulder field and part of the trail on the way down (bringing magic carpets next time!). It's a gorgeous view if you are willing to trek the brutal 7km to get there!
FOUND: A SINGLE BLACK CRAMPON (see picture)
FOUND: A SINGLE RED AND BLACK GLOVE (see picture)
Contact me at or read full report at: https://www.livetrails.com/posts/Wedgemount-Lake-30216.html
Posted: November 12, 2017 11:06:13 PM PST
Carlos from Surrey writes:
Completed this hike yesterday Oct 28th. Lots of melty slippery snow towards the top. The last push was the sketchiest especially when coming down (I did have runners on which was stupid). Bring your yaktrax and be ready slip a few times! Have fun!
Posted: October 29, 2017 01:59:16 PM PST
Hi from Vancouver writes:
Anyone been there this month os October?
We are planning on staying over night for one night just wondering how the conditions are
Thankss
Posted: October 23, 2017 06:30:58 AM PST
Tanner from Vancouver writes:
Jacqueline from Burnaby-- I did this hike yesterday and saw a note that said "we have your GoPro," with phone number 778-953-1671. Might be worth a call!
Otherwise, hike is excellent and a great challenge-- the way down really can take as long as the way up due to slippery surfaces and fancy footwork required.
Posted: September 25, 2017 08:09:47 AM PST
Jacqueline from Burnaby writes:
I hiked this trail on September 22nd, 2017. We started the trek down at 6pm and was in a rush, so I forgot my GoPro Hero 5 there. I know its a long shot but if anyone finds it I really want it back :( 6043628787 . It was on a 3-legged bendy tripod and it's located on the right side. When you first see the lake, go towards your right and it should be on the little hill area...
Posted: September 23, 2017 08:39:14 AM PST
Abdul from North Vancouver writes:
I did it September 16, 2017.
With my slow speed, I finished my hike in little less than 8 hours. No wet places on trail so water proof shoes are not required. Surface was dry so must have hiking shoes as they grip the surface much better.
In terms of view, it's not as good as Panorama Ridge or Crown mountain specially at the peak.
Half way down, you can refill your water. Better have 2 litres bottles to be safe.
It gets darker a bit early than sunset as trail is covered by forest so it is important to return earlier.
$3 rope which is 100 feet long, from Wal-Mart, would do wonders when you are returning. Trail is steep all the way. It badly hurt your legs. In terms of being challenging, it is certainly a difficult hike. All because it is steep all the way.
It will burn more calories than most other hikes in this region. Take my advice, have a rope with you and you will never regret that. Descent is tiring.
Posted: September 17, 2017 05:24:16 PM PST
Leslie from Maple Ridge BC writes:
I hiked this trail Monday Sept.4. I hike most weekends ( Golden Ears, Buntzen lake).. I did the Grouse Grind to prepare myself for this incline. Wedgemount was slightly harder then I expected, steaper in some sections then the GG. I wore gloves through the whole trail to help balance myself and pull me up as well, it helped through the rock sections.
Views were amazing! Well worth the trek. Temp was 33*, clear sunny sky's. VERY dry and dusty which made the desent very slippery at times. Bring lots of water and wear good trail or hiking shoes.
Posted: September 5, 2017 05:41:14 AM PST
Julia Li from Richmond writes:
Did this hike on August 29. Hardest hike I've done in BC! Absolutely loved it!! No smoke but very dry and dusty in some areas as it has not rained in a very long time. It's really steep and would suggest if you have bad knees to use walking poles. I didn't and I was fine.
No creeks to fill up water bladder so best to fill at the top before coming down. It was 33 C when I hiked it so I definitely drank all my water.
Posted: September 2, 2017 11:23:30 PM PST
Mary from Burnaby writes:
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has done the hike in the last week and can comment on how the trail and visibility up there is? Appreciate it.
Posted: September 2, 2017 01:52:46 PM PST
SF from Van writes:
I would say the smoke did not bother me at all hiking up to the top and including the top. It was a bit hazy but I could barely smell it
Posted: August 11, 2017 06:05:25 AM PST
SF from Vancouver writes:
I did this trail on August 9 for the first time ...it was a bit hazy up at the top at the lake but it was still very worth doing. The views were still very gorgeous . The temperature was about 25° all along the trail including up at the top at the lake . Bring lots of water and hydration. I drank 2 L of water going up and one L going down but I still needed more going down. It was very warm hiking and very humid at times in certain parts of the trail . Bring bug spray also as there were horseflies actively biting me, not bad enough to not do this hike but I was constantly swatting during certain parts of the hike. The bug spray I used which was Ben's did not work . Just to give people some perspective I am active but not a regular hiker. Before this hike the only other hikes I have done were a few Grouse Grinds which I would say is excellent training for this hike ...it took me four hours up and 4 1/2 hours down . I carried 20 pounds of gear including 3 L of water. I definitely needed poles to go down for safety reasons because of how steep it was but also because my legs got tired. I would say that this hike is 3 Grouse grinds grinds in a row. The trail is very well marked with orange squares most of the way up...the last section which is very steep isn't well marked however you can follow the trail pretty easily. I had some form of cell service almost all of the way up.( One bar to three bars out of five ) I was able to text my emergency contacts where I was several times . Overall I saw maybe 15 people total in that day and there was pretty much nobody at the top -only one tent and three other people. Thank you to everyone who posted updates on this trail it was much appreciated .
Have a nice hike!
Posted: August 11, 2017 06:01:55 AM PST
Lukas from Trebon, Czech Republic writes:
The trail is pretty challenging and the last slope is the steepest one but the final view worths for the effort. I did the hike Aug, 9 and there was poor visibility into the valley during the trail because of the smoke from interior wildfires but hopefully the view on the lake was clear and very nice. I started at 8:45 am and came to the lake after approximately 2,5 hours and there were only campers from previous day so the place was amazingly empty. I met more hikers on the way back but still this hike is not so overcrowded by people like some others are.
Posted: August 10, 2017 10:30:31 AM PST
Shawn from Vancouver writes:
Hello,
Just wondering if anyone has done the hike in the last week or so and can comment on how the visibility is up there? Garibaldi looked pretty smokey. Just curious as to how Wedgemount is. Thank you!
Posted: August 7, 2017 08:15:29 PM PST
M from Vancouver writes:
Paul - there's running water up top so no need to bring extra. I did it as an overnight hike and just brought the water tablets (zero weight). Have fun!
Posted: August 7, 2017 03:38:45 PM PST
Paul from Vancouver writes:
Hi
I'm planning for this hike and wondering what the water supply looks like on this hike? Ideally i wouldn't pack much water and would be using a filtration system to keep my packing weight down. Thanks
Posted: August 6, 2017 06:40:37 AM PST
Jill from Vancouver writes:
I was planning on doing this hike overnight tomorrow but am reconsidering due to all the smoke! Has anyone been up there this week that could speak to that?
Thanks!
Posted: August 5, 2017 01:00:26 PM PST
Ron from Vancouver writes:
What a spectacular hike with so much variety and breathtaking views at the top. Leave lots of time to explore the area around the lake. The last part of the hike is very steep but well worth the hike up.
With a light daypack, a brisk 2 hours hike up and 2 hours hike down - and spent over an hour exploring at the top. Bring lots of water. Used about 2.5 litres of water during the entire hike.
Yes, hikers do swim in the lake, but it could be very cold depending on the time of the year. Plan to hike again when there is less smoke in the area.
Here is a short video of the hike: https://youtu.be/9T1deujN5Cc
Posted: August 4, 2017 08:02:56 PM PST
j from Vancouver writes:
Myself and a friend did this as an overnight this weekend. Were definitely surprised by the amount of folks on the trail and worried about finding a camping spot, but once we got there found that there were plenty of places to camp, didn't feel cramped at all even though we counted 60+ tents!
We're both moderately fit, and took it really easy on the way up - 5 hrs with overnight packs and lots of breaks. The way down was slightly faster, 4 hrs. The new trail is well-marked, and really not as gruelling we expected. To answer a question above, my friend had done Garibaldi and this is more difficult.
Amazing lake, friendly folks, beautiful weather. Definitely bring both sunscreen and warmer layers as nighttime temperature drops noticeably. Also bring a water filtration method!
Posted: July 30, 2017 10:37:55 PM PST
Kirsten from Abbotsford writes:
The view was definitely breathtaking but the hike was pretty difficult. I went to two inexperienced hikers and we made it in a single day. It took 4 hours to get there but the descent only took about 2.5 since we were rushing back down. The last bit was definitely very rocky and dangerous so caution must be taken.
Compared to the Garibaldi lake hike, this was more difficult but the lake was absolutely beautiful.
Posted: July 29, 2017 09:44:10 AM PST
Ryan from Vancouver writes:
Trying to gauge difficulty level since we plan to go with a group. Would you guys say this is similar to garabaldi or more difficult?
Posted: July 28, 2017 05:13:56 PM PST
Billy Lee from New Westminster writes:
Hands down, one of the toughest hike featured in Vancouver Trails.
The view was AMAZING... the colour of the lake was stunning.
Please do NOT attempt, if you are not an experienced hiker.
We were a group of 5 'fit' individuals, and we all said that this cannot be a day hike.
Being said that, also do not pack too much (pack base layers)!
Hope that helps! :)
Posted: July 27, 2017 03:29:52 PM PST
Jessica Lu from New westminster writes:
If anyone found a pair of women's gaiters from MEC july 23rd day please comment! I left them by the tent pad near the hut :*(
Posted: July 23, 2017 11:10:37 PM PST
Braeden from Langley writes:
Worth the grueling climb with heavy packs. Took about 4 hours to get up prepared for 2 nights across 2 people, and we are only in decent shape. The last climb (steepest section) proves to be the most challenging with large packs and I advise you to be aware of loose rocks from others rolling down or sending them down. The best tent pads are down by the lake, with one having a rock wall we made to stop wind from blowing under the tents fly. Beautiful area with plenty of small trails to explore or free climb.
Posted: July 15, 2017 08:22:30 AM PST
Alecia dally from Mission writes:
If anyone was up at the trail July 10-11 and saw a car hit a blue Honda Civic can you please contact me or whistler rcmp? They left a note with fake phone number!
Thanks great hike worth the climb!
Posted: July 12, 2017 11:32:23 AM PST
Petr Sevcik from Tofino writes:
Amazing trail! Now it is all the way to the lake without snow. Only going to the glacier there is a snow part, but you can make it without any problems. There is already visible path in the snow. 4 hours walking only up with breaks, beautiful views. Surprised me, that most of the trail is not so steep as I expected. Only last 1 km part is steeper. Lake is still half-frozen, but anyway some people swimming in it :). 5-star trail!
Posted: July 5, 2017 11:30:15 AM PST
Ragh from Vancouver writes:
Completed this on July 2nd, 2017. What a stunning view at the top! The is no snow on the trail until you reach the very end. The lake is still partly frozen but in my opinion it only make it more beautiful unless you are going up there for a swim. I did it as a dayhike and it took me around 7-8hrs to finish. Here are few tips:
If you plan to do it as a dayhike, keep yourself light by not packing a lot of water . There are clear water streams after the first half. You can instead carry a Lifestraw and refill.
Wear kneecaps. The trails has rocks, I would suggest wearing kneecaps to reduce fatigue on your knees.
If you have a tent and an extra day, camp. I regret not doing this. You will more time at the lake and also a night to rest.
Goodluck!
Posted: July 3, 2017 08:14:00 AM PST
Julio from Vancouver writes:
June 25 ideal conditions. Little snow left on the trail. The rock ascent tested my mettle. Outstanding hike, highly recommend.
Posted: June 26, 2017 12:21:15 PM PST
Bob from Vancouver writes:
Hiked on June 4th. Snow starts 1/2 way up. Very slushy all the way to the top. Without snowshoes our feet constantly sank deep in the slush. Challenging and a bit stressful at times as there was no way of knowing how fragile and deep the snow is below us, especially when at times there are creeks running right below the snow beneath us. The snow does not get much more packed at higher elevations. The last steep climb is also slushy and quite challenging.
Coming down we had microspikes which helped a bit. Coming down the steep section in slush was not easy. Descending in general was easier than climbing, as we follow signs of footprints which are compacted (much less chance of sinking but still happens)...if you attempt this hike in this condition, always follow other people's footsteps rather than stepping into untracked snow.
Lake at the top was covered, but still a great destination as always. Five stars because we do this hike every summer and it is one of our favorites.
But for the moment we would advise against going up in this condition unless you have snowshoes. It is best to wait until the slush melts at this point.
Posted: June 5, 2017 12:34:37 AM PST
Chelsea from Surrey writes:
We hiked this May 20th, 2017. For the first 1/3 of the hike there is no snow, but it is quite wet with streams running down the path making it quite slippery. For us it wasn't anything unmanageable with our hiking boots. For the next 2/3rd there is progressively more snow. It was quite packed, and we were able to follow the footsteps of others. The trek up wasn't as difficult as we were expecting, though it is straight up with relatively no give for 7km. At the top the lake was covered in snow still. Could only see a bit of the glacier. AMAZING VIEWS. We used snow shoes around the top to walk around and would definitely recommend for coming down since its super slippery. I also used my crampons for a bit which were more useful than the snowshoes. Coming down, we glacaded down an avalanche run out because it was just way easier (and fun). Evidence of avalanches and we saw a couple in the distance, so I would caution anyone who is inexperienced. Will have to come back when the lake is melted! Took us about 3.5 hours up and 2.5 hours down. Some of the people with more gear for overnights told us it took them about 7 hours up.
Posted: May 22, 2017 11:57:02 AM PST
Jana from Vancouver writes:
I would give it a much higher rating but I hiked this today with my boyfriend (may 21,2017) and we only made I think about half way before turning around, there's not a lot of snow but the heat is making it all melt so the trail is just a river. We were well prepared and had proper waterproof boots on but the ground was just unsafe. I would give it a couple more weeks before you try tackling this one. It's steep too, so it's a toughy!
Posted: May 21, 2017 11:55:17 AM PST
Jefferson Franco from Burnaby writes:
Hi guys anyone here know the condition of wedgemount lake as of today
Posted: May 21, 2017 12:55:22 AM PST
Leon Chen from Kuala Lumpur writes:
Does anyone know the trail conditions right now (5th May 2017)? Not sure if I need snowshoes
Posted: May 5, 2017 07:17:53 PM PST
Scott from Chilliwack writes:
Further comment to my previous post....to add to what some of the others said....the weather can really change up there even just at the lake. My wife and I went up overnight in August many years ago and woke in the morning to 3 inches of wet snow on the ground. We were lucky to be well prepared for this weather but there were others that morning that were a little less lucky. Another group close by woke up to a river running through their tent from the melting snow.
Posted: September 12, 2016 02:12:11 PM PST
Scott from Chilliwack writes:
Hey Gary...My friend and I climbed Wedgemount Peak about 12-15 years ago and skied off the top of it...think it was August. We did it in a day up and down...probably 6000 feet of elevation in a day but others can confirm. My friend and I were in excellent shape and regularly did 6-8000 foot elevation days. Usually averaged 1000 feet an hour with 30-40 pound packs.
If memory serves me, we went up the right side of the peak (west I think) up a snow chute (not on the glacier proper). So long ago that I can't remember exactly what we took but would not have likely gone without ice axes and crampons. I don't think we roped up because if we needed to it would have been too steep to ski down. I think the slope was around 45 degrees.
Hope this helps out.
Posted: September 12, 2016 02:00:34 PM PST
Silvia from Burnaby writes:
This was my most difficult hike so far. I tried to prepare as much as I could by taking advise from previous hikers. I took 3 litres of water (only consumed half), proper hiking shoes, layered clothing (thin long sleeve shirt, a thin jacket (water resistant) and a waterproof shield. I took lots of bars, nuts, fruit for this day hike. If you are going to stay overnight, obviously you will be packing a lot more. By the way if you are an inexperienced hiker, doing this hike in one day could really hurt you. Believe me, I found out the hard way. :)
Grueling hike. Epic day. All uphill, no levelling out. Some think the downhill will be easy. Not so. Took 3 hrs 40 minutes up to lake with a gazillion stops, 3 hrs 10 mins down to parking with many stops. The downhill was more difficult than the climb up. Keep in mind I only rested for 36 minutes at the lake. It was mostly due to: clouds rolling in quickly and such a sudden drop in temperature that I could barely remove my jacket from my backpack, as my hands were shaking uncontrollably; also, I wanted to leave as urine stench was EVERYWHERE!!!!! it's a shame that barbarians piss all over this beautiful piece of land. :( thanks guys!! :) ...I would recommend at least 2 hours of break at the top before hiking back down. It is not an exaggeration when people tell you that the beating your knees and toes take is just completely brutal. Now I understand why most people camp overnight.
On the way down, ran into about 25 kids (very early 20s), sitting and eating sticky rice in the middle of the trail (NO, they did not move, I climbed over them). All wearing Chucks, Keds, PLATFORM runners!!!, wife beaters, teddy bear backpacks. ;) They were all eager to know how "much longer" to the lake. :D ...Keep in mind, the last 30 minutes or so, you are pretty much climbing up a vertical wall of rocks. It is THE MOST DIFFICULT part of the entire hike, until you have to turn around and make your way down the same path. DO NOT WEAR GOLD PLATFORM RUNNER!! :D
Posted: September 10, 2016 05:43:05 PM PST
Kathy from Vancouver writes:
Went up for the night on Aug 20. It took us 4.5 hours with LOTS of breaks and a long lunch, and 3.5 hours to get down the next day with our packs. What everyone has been writing here is true: challenging but gorgeous and worthwhile hike, sturdy hiking boots are key, bring lots of water (I'd say at least 2L going up just in case, can refill with the glacial creek at the top), bug spray for the forested areas as you're only in the sun for the last climb, jacket/warm clothes for overnight/at the top, toilet paper, camera/phone to capture the beautiful lake.
Tons of space to camp, there are limited wooden or gravel tent platforms but many people before you have flattened out a little spot by the lake. There is an outhouse close to the hut, as well as a smaller outhouse lower down on the lake.
Posted: September 6, 2016 04:12:23 PM PST
Helen from Vancouver writes:
One of the hardest hikes I've done thus far, but the lake is worth it. It took us 3.5 hours up with lots of short breaks to catch our breath and 3 hours down. Going up is very steep but going down requires your full attention, especially near the top.
I would recommend proper hiking boots; I went in runners and my toes took the brunt of the hike down. Bring tons of water for the way up and go early! We did this as a day trip, but there were lots of people with camping gear going up and coming down.
Lastly, bring a light jacket even on a hot day. It can get pretty windy and cold once you're by the lake.
Posted: August 28, 2016 05:07:01 PM PST
Alex from North Vancvouer writes:
@Darian I just did the hike up to Lake Wedgemount followed by an attempt on Mt.Weart same day over on Friday the 19th and a hike out Saturday 20th. Friday night was really calm with maybe 6/7 tents around the lake but our hike out on Saturday was crazy. We started counting people from 1/4 of the way down and had passed 150 people by the time we hit the bottom. 1/3 of those would've been overnighters. I highly recommend if you can to avoid that weekend rush or if you can't make sure to get up early to set up a camp spot.
Posted: August 23, 2016 09:40:15 AM PST
Elise from Vancouver writes:
Did this as a day hike on August 21, 2016 and what was supposed to be a sunny weekend turned into a cloudy and windy one. The hike itself is pretty steep so incredible kudos to those who went up with their camp gear (and especially those with a kid on their back). We had a group so it took us around 7 hours round trip (+1 hour lunch break and photos). There were still quite a bit of campers but little campground so people just pave the rocks to creat one. Two of them had to stay in the hut (fits only 6 people, very small) as it got really windy and their tent couldn't hold.
@Darian - no reservation, it's much more backcountry (and challenging) than Garibaldi but there are still quite a bit of campers (probably around 6 tents when we got there on a Sunday afternoon) but a lot less place to camp. Weather wise, it's hard to say but since it's right next to the glaciers, be prepared to get really cold at night.
Posted: August 22, 2016 08:49:24 PM PST
Gary Fain from Placerville CA writes:
Looking to summit this guy , have done several 10,000 ft peaks . Never a glacier . Any way to get to the top without ropes / climbing gear ?
Posted: August 17, 2016 11:41:27 AM PST
Darian from Vancouver writes:
@Elise
Thanks for the heads up. I am familiar with the backcountry camping reservations as I've camped at places like garibaldi before. I am also very aware that during high seasons, even with a reservation, it is difficult to secure a campsite as it is on a first come first serve basis.
I am wondering though if wedgemount would be similar to garibaldi? It sounds like the hike in is significantly more challenging, which I presume would make it less accessible to the general population - especially for camping which requires lugging gear up. Thoughts? Also, any comments on the weather up there Aug / Sept?
Posted: August 15, 2016 04:35:12 PM PST
Elise from Vancouver writes:
@Darian Low - I didn't do Wedgemount but I just came back from the Garibaldi campsite on Thurs, Aug 11 and 1 night overnight leaving on Fri, Aug 12. First - you have to reserve a place at the campsite and there are posts you can tack up your reservation. As long as you reserve, you should have no problem. HOWEVER! If you decide to go on Friday or the weekend, I would suggest going up really early in the day (start hiking by 8-9am). Else it gets really busy. I would also suggest not going on a weekend if possible as August is a busy season. We went on Thursday and it was already packed - most people had reservations. I couldn't even imagine a weekend..
I am looking forward to doing an overnight at Wedgemount next year probably - preferably during a weekday in August!
Posted: August 13, 2016 09:30:56 PM PST
Darian Low from Vancouver writes:
Hi Everyone,
I've been eyeing this hike for a while and have a couple questions. Wondering if anyone could help me out here:
1.) When does the snow start to become a problem on the trail? (I'm thinking of maybe going in mid-Sept? Has anyone done the trail around this time?
2.) If I go up during high season (i.e. August), is it very difficult to get a campsite like more popular places like garibaldi? I heard that there are only a number of campsites available.
Thanks!
Posted: August 13, 2016 11:34:59 AM PST
Alisha from North Vancouver writes:
Hiked this as my first overnight trip, and wow was it ever beautiful! Would highly recommend staying the night as trekking back down on the same day I would imagine to be quite brutal. Also, the sunset over the mountains is stunning, not to mention the refreshing morning swim at sunrise. Pack as light as possible, and pace yourself on the way up. We packed food we didn't have to cook and benefited from not having to carry a stove/cooking supplies. Difficult, but so worthwhile!
Posted: August 2, 2016 02:24:45 PM PST
eatsleeprunrepeat from Burnaby writes:
Just did this monster of a hike yesterday and it was the hardest hike I've done thus far. Even with the WCT and NCT under my belt Wedgemount's unrelenting incline and long stretch of scramble near the end is true to its Intermediate rating. Plus I did it without a large pack. Major kudos to those I saw hiking up with gear!
There is construction going on at the fork where you're suppose to turn right but follow the signs and TURN LEFT AT THE FORK.
As always, sturdy hikers, lots of water and snacks and a strong heart will see you to the lake. She's a beauty!
Posted: August 1, 2016 12:56:59 AM PST
Beth from Indonesia writes:
It's very awesome experience! Very steeepsss to reach the lake. Walking more than 2 km again you will find the glacier was beautiful!
Posted: July 27, 2016 01:29:38 PM PST
Tyler Thomson from Burlington writes:
I'll start by saying, I have never even done an intermediate hike, let alone one anywhere near this difficult. I went with a friend who ski tours like crazy and is very active. I am in pretty good shape, and did this hike round trip in about 4 hours, which is quite fast for this hike. My heart was pretty much racing from start to finish due to the difficulty and steepness. But wow was it ever worth it. The glacier is something else, and if you go on a clear day you get some pretty spectacular views. I've never seen such a magnificent looking body of water in my life. If you're on the fence, just go for it! Just bring lots of water and hiking or running shoes!!
Posted: July 25, 2016 06:18:48 PM PST
Belinda from Burnaby writes:
Hiked Wedgemount Lake on July 02 2016. Totally impress by its beauty. A quite yet breathtaking place to escape from busy life.We stayed 4 hours at the top and visited the glacier as well. Absolutely gorgeous.
The trial is well-marked. Final push is hard but worth every steps. Highly recommend. Suggest to use hiking poles to protect your knees when descending.
Check my video if you want to have a peek:) https://youtu.be/Ys_pbVUJdnk
Posted: July 5, 2016 03:58:58 PM PST
Ly from Vancouver writes:
Hiked and camped on July 2nd. It was quite tiring with a big full pack so if you're not ready for that I recommend just do a day trip and go light. Wear good hiking shoes as it was steep and slippery at times. It got chilly so quickly and was so so windy at night I barely slept. One couple lost the cover for their tent in the middle of the night and had to stay at the hut. Regardless it was all worth it, this was an awesome trail and the lake and glacier were just breathtaking.
Posted: July 4, 2016 10:43:05 PM PST
Ash from North Vancouver writes:
Hello folks did this Hike on 3rd July 2016 it's the most difficult Hike I have ever done but the views at the top are breathtaking the trail is very well marked but it's not for the faint hearted ones one word of caution at least do 2 intermediate trails in a month before attempting this one all i can say is it's one hell of a hike.
Posted: July 4, 2016 03:07:55 AM PST
Danielle from Vancouver writes:
Completed this hike June 29th. Conditions were hot and sunny, it was beautiful! Only snow in the last 1km but melting quickly and slippery even with hiking boots, ice on the lake is melting quickly also. I recommend starting before 9am so you aren't suffering from the extreme heat that comes later in the afternoon, took it slow and spent almost 2 hours at the lake to have lunch, suntan and enjoy. Pack for every weather condition, as soon as clouds pass over the sun it gets cold. Make sure you bring more water than you are expecting to drink, especially if the weather is hot like it was yesterday. Again, everyone is right - it is a steep climb! Be prepared for it.
*Also saw a notable amount of garbage, please make sure you are packing out what you pack in.
Posted: June 30, 2016 11:36:37 AM PST
Andre from Coquitlam writes:
Went up June 25 and conditions were very good. Some of the trail was muddy and we only stepped on hard snow, my friend managed to do the hike in runners. We are fairly fit and were only carrying day packs and made it to the lake in 2 hours 10 minutes up and it took us 1 hour 30 minutes down (almost racing though). Highly recommend checking out the glaciers further past the lake. And listen to what everybody says, it is crazy uphill.
Posted: June 26, 2016 02:12:20 AM PST
Rochelle from Vancouver writes:
Went up June 5/16. This is a beautiful hike with a fairly steady climb and regular changes in scenery. However, the scramble described by other commenters is still snow covered. The lake is still ice as well. Would recommend anyways, but be prepared for a precarious and wet scramble for the last kilometre.
Posted: June 6, 2016 07:51:51 PM PST
Cassie from Vancouver writes:
We did this hike April 9-10 and stayed overnight in the hut. It's definitely tough but it's worth it!
With our packs and frequent breaks it took us 5.5 hrs to get up, around 5 to get down (down time elongated by stopping to do first aid on a skiier and a bad knee acutely flaring up). I think without the first aid stop or the bad knee the descent would be a lot quicker.
They are not kidding about this trail - it is relentlessly uphill. The first part of the trail was clear, about a quarter of the way up it was largely underwater from the creek, and turned to snow about half way up.
Snowshoes highly recommended. The last steep section would have been very difficult without them.
The loft of the hut gets warm during the day (it was around 15 degrees outside) which holds over til about the middle of the night when the temp drops down. Without the sun it's below freezing at night and the top is still deep with snow.
Our descent was around 10 AM and the steep section had essentially become an ice chute from freezing overnight, which made for a tedious and somewhat frightening snowshoe down.
Highly recommend this trail but come prepared. Bring avy safety equipment and think twice if you've got bad knees. The view at the top, especially on a clear day, cannot be beat
Posted: April 17, 2016 12:34:30 AM PST
Amanda from Vancouver writes:
Amazing hike - went up on Oct 24/2015, and the conditions were great! I would definitely recommend packing/wearing layers as you will get hot and cold depending on where you are at the hike. Gloves and a toque for the top are a must. I would also strongly suggest wearing good hiking shoes and not runners. There is a lot of mud at the moment, and parts of the path are just shallow creeks. There are also several rocky areas that are currently a touch icy, and would benefit from shoes with a solid grip.
My friend and I took 2.5 hours to get to the top (with a couple snack breaks) and 2.5 hours to get down with no breaks. Getting down is a bit tedious as you have to take your time and be careful, but the view at the top is definitely worth the quad pain the next day!
Posted: October 26, 2015 01:29:49 PM PST
Elodie from Victoria writes:
Hiked: October 17-18 2015
Fitness Level: Moderate
Great hike! It took us 4 hours up because we were going slow and taking lots of breaks due to our heavy packs. Very steep and rugged trail but quite well maintained and very well marked. It was the first overnight hike for both of us and we didn't have any problems with the hike. It drizzled on us a few times and was overcast the whole time but we didn't see a lick of snow.
We camped at the lakeside tent platforms which worked perfectly and weren't busy at all. Keep in mind, sun sets at about 6:30 in October and it gets pretty chilly so come prepared for the wet cold camping!
Took us 2:45 to come down including a lunch break halfway. Take the descent easy because the steepness can do a number on your knees if you've got a pack.
MUSTS: lots of water, boots, food, and a camera
Posted: October 18, 2015 07:44:24 PM PST
PKG from Surrey writes:
After reading the comments, I must admit I was a little intimidated! But, how tough can it be, it seemed similar to Sea-to-Summit which I complete just under 2 hours. And it turns out, it was! Very similar except a little more scrambling near the end, but if you are fit, you'll finish in 2 hours and 1 hour 45 back down. Lake is great at top, as others said, Weather is inconsistent, it snowed on us for 5 minutes so lucky I stuffed my ascent jacket and gloves in my camelbak. I should also mention good footwear - I wore my trail runners but my boots may have been a better option for the return.
Posted: September 4, 2015 06:20:08 PM PST
Nicole from Surrey writes:
Did this hike on September 1st and boy was it a tough one. Not only is there a steep scramble to the top, the weather up there is unpredictable and was a lot colder than we expected!
My friend and I planned to spend the night in our tent but that soon changed once we were hit with extreme winds, hail, and even snow! We ended up spending the night in the ski hut and had the place all to ourselves, thank God!
I REALLY recommend being prepared for all sorts of weather as it changed literally every 5 minutes at the top!
Nonetheless the view at the top is absolutely breath taking and picturesque. Highly recommended this hike, just please be prepared!!
Posted: September 3, 2015 04:29:16 PM PST
Kelsey from Surrey writes:
Did this hike on Saturday Aug. 2, 2015. I've done a few intermediate hikes recently and I'm in pretty good shape, but I found this hike to be extremely difficult.
Took us almost 4 hours to go up since we had to stop and take lots of breaks. It's basically 4 hours of very steep hiking over rocks, soft ground and tree roots. Luckily, the trees kept us out of direct sunlight most of the time. There were a couple of sections ~5mins each that were level, but that was it. The final ascent is a 45-hour long scramble up boulders that leads up and over the mountain to Wedgemount Lake below.
Definitely nice scenery during the hike though - waterfall, boulder fields, streams and the forest. The lake itself is breathtaking. Lot's of room for camping up there, but if you're new to backcountry camping I would definitely take caution before lugging your gear up this trail. Feet hurt like crazy by the time we got back down to the trailhead.
Posted: August 3, 2015 10:17:19 PM PST
Brian from Vancouver writes:
Hiked on: July 19th, 2015
I think this hike is fantastic. It is a difficult hike not because the terrain is bad but the sheer elevation gain. It took us 3 hours up and 2:15 down. We stopped for a much needed swim in the lake for a total trip time around 7:15min
Water is a must. We hiked on 30degree+ day, I drank 4.5 litres of water and still got mild heat stroke. I only carried 2.5 litres up with me and refilled in one of the streams at the top.
The waterfall, lake, and glacier made the whole day well worth it.
The campsites even look enticing enough to come back some day.
Posted: July 20, 2015 02:45:34 PM PST
Mike from Burnaby writes:
Re: Katrina Bennett
I've always found a light jacket is needed at Wedgemount. The last 2 times we went, it was REALLY hot in Whistler in mid-July but up at the lake, there was this cool breeze as you dip down into the bowl by the lake. After 30-minutes, I was happy to have that jacket to put on.
Posted: July 19, 2015 11:28:52 PM PST
Katrina Bennett from Chilliwack writes:
I'm a hiker who is just getting back to my roots after having a bunch of kids. I did Lindeman Lake, Mt Thom and the Grouse Grind in the past month and I'm gathering info on what I need to successfully complete Wedgemount Lake in August. I want to do it in one day and see that good hiking boots, bug spray and water are a must. If anyone has any other recommendations or tips I would really appreciate it. Thanks!!!
Posted: July 19, 2015 10:15:41 PM PST
Fatemeh from Vancouver writes:
Did this hike on July 1st. It was a very hot day. It took us 3 hours to go up 3.5 down. We took 2l water with us each, but it wasn't enough and had to purify lake's water for more. Make sure to have misquote spray with you. And yes the lake at the end is amazing.
Posted: July 2, 2015 02:05:20 PM PST
Tonyf from Vancouver writes:
Great hike and for those who are curious about the condition, your can see the blue lake now and part of the trail is a bit wet but manageable.
Posted: June 22, 2015 11:42:55 AM PST
Steph from Vancouver writes:
Great hike. A good amount of work there and back for a day hike, but so worth it. Took us 4 hr to go up and about 3 hr to come down. The waterfalls and rock slide debris keeps things interesting.
We hiked May 30, 2015. It was hot (30 deg in pemberton) but nice and cool up at the lake. There isn't any snow on the trail except in a few short zones where you are crossing avalanche run-out. We brought metal cleats/spikes to throw over our hikers, in case, but didn't end up using them since the snowy stretches were pretty short.
The lake is still frozen over and just starting to melt along the edges, so no brilliant blue water, but still gorgeous up there.
Posted: June 1, 2015 01:38:19 PM PST
Kelly from Vancouver writes:
Can anyone comment on how much snow there will be up there around the first or second weekend of June?
Cheers.
Posted: May 27, 2015 08:18:20 PM PST
Kay from Langley writes:
Did this hike May 16. It took us about 6 hours round trip including about an hour break to eat lunch. The first 3/4 of the hike were pretty dry but the last bit and the scramble to the top I would highly suggest snow shoes. Since the snow was covering boulders, random steps you take would send you into snow up to your waist. Be prepared to get wet! We met many people who decided to turn around due to being unprepared for the wet snow climb. The lake was completely frozen but an absolutely surreal view once you finally make it to the top of this grueling hike. Not one for a beginner but totally worth it. Can't wait to go back in the summer when the blue lake is visible.
Posted: May 18, 2015 10:56:30 AM PST
Clinton from Vancouver writes:
Has anyone gone up recently? Do we need a snowshoe to go up at this time of the year?
Posted: April 29, 2015 02:50:10 PM PST
Jose from new west writes:
Epic hike, snow from halfway up, last 100 meters of elevation quite tough due to b***s deep snow. Getting completely wet and cold totally worth it! Also gloves would have been great for the on-all-four sections. Take snowshoes, poles and a 'descending device' to get back faster.
Posted: April 21, 2015 09:27:17 PM PST
Mike from Victoria writes:
We just hiked this trail on Easter weekend. We were lucky with clear skies both days. The trail was in good shape, dry at the beginning, but then increasing in snow coverage on the way up. It was well marked up until the final steep section, perhaps the markers were covered in snow. We didn't have appropriate foot gear but made it up anyways. I would strongly recommend snowshoes or some sort of traction device, they will make the hike more enjoyable. Poles would have been nice too. The cabin at the top is in good shape and kept us warm. We fell quite a bit on the way down as the snow had melted in the sun and froze overnight. It is a hard hike but well worth it!
Posted: April 8, 2015 11:12:51 AM PST
Kaley W from Vancouver writes:
Was going to snowshoe this trail last week but the heavy rain caused washout sections along the service road. We made it past the first washout but turned around at the second. Didn't even reach the trail head. Will have to go back once the weather improves!
Posted: February 9, 2015 11:30:12 PM PST
Martin from Vancouver writes:
Hey I did the hike 4 weeks ago and conditions were perfect but I was wondering if the last part of the hike is covered in snow by now? Has anyone done it recently? I was thinking of doing it next weekend.
Thanks!
Posted: October 19, 2014 02:03:36 PM PST
Ron from Vancouver writes:
Gorgeous views at the top. Well worth the climb up. It's a long day if driving in from Vancouver, but well worth the trip.
Ryan: from your last comment below, is there anyway to contact you for future hiking trips?
Posted: September 12, 2014 08:30:37 PM PST
ryan from vancouver writes:
i did black tusk 2 weeks ago and stayed overnight..will be hiking this on saturday and staying overnight too. backpacking alone... who wants to join me?.. is there any water source from the campground aside from the lake?
Posted: September 3, 2014 10:04:34 PM PST
Andrew from North Vancouver writes:
Did this hike yesterday, highly recommended! Nice glacier breeze at the top, plenty of horseflies but the steep trek was totally worth it. We started at 745 to avoid most of the heat, couldn't believe there were people starting at 1pm with huge packs in the 32-degree weather...
Cheers
Posted: August 5, 2014 11:21:31 AM PST
Stewart from Calgary writes:
This was a gorgeous hike on a perfect day - it was warm at the top too.
When hiking up near the top, watch for loose or falling rock and certainly be mindful of other hikers.
I certainly recommend you be an experienced hiker before tackling this trail but this is now one of my favourites and bring plenty of fluids. Enjoy!
Posted: July 28, 2014 02:39:45 PM PST
M4verick from White Rock writes:
Just did the hike to Wedgemount Lake on the 22nd of July and then attempted to climb Mt. Weart the same day (had to turn around at 200 meters from the top due to bad weather.)
Beautiful scenery, awesome hike, tough on the knees - bring trekking poles.
Some Tips:
Camp at the lower lake, not near the shelter. Way less bugs!
It can get damp at night.
Can be cold; 8C without windchill at night is not uncommon.
Don't leave your backpack lying around at night. The critters will eat your straps etc.
Posted: July 26, 2014 02:40:57 PM PST
Kay from Vancouver writes:
Just did this hike June 21/22 2014 and it was gorgeous. Only a few patches of snow near the top, but got very cold at night. Definitely need to plan to camp when coming up on the weekend as it was a bit busy. Beware of the $10 camping fee, either have cash or pay in advance and bring proof. We saw people get ticketed ($144 fine) for not bring proof of payment.
Posted: June 23, 2014 01:38:41 PM PST
Axel from Vancouver writes:
I've done this hike this saturday (late january) with a friend. Expect snow, ice and and tough (but good) times.
We are both used to hike and fairly fit. We dit this hike this summer and we already knew what we were getting into.
We couldn't get the car to the parking lot (too much snow / ice for a regular car). There is a little area where you can park your car after passing the little bridge on the side of the road. We reached the parking lot by foot at around 10:30 am.
From there, it took us 3 hours to get to the lake. It was VERY slippery on the lower part because of the ice in the woods, be careful. There was snow as well but it was still manageable with regular hiking shoes. We put our snowshoes on right after the tree line and we went straight on to the top. That was definitely hard but utterly fun at the same time.
And the lake...the reward is worth all the effort you're going to put into that trail. Everything was covered by snow, the glacier as well, the lake was completely frozen...well no real surprise here but it's just beautiful.
It took us 2 hours to get back to the car. The snow actually makes it easier on the knees so we ran back. You just need to be aware that your leg can be swallowed by the snow at any time.
Even if the trail is well marked and in very good condition, we missed a turn (still not sure where exactly) but we ended up on another well marked trail that led us to the parking lot anyway. No biggie.
TL; DR
Late january report: snow from the start, slippery with the ice in the lower part, snowshoes needed after the tree line.
Tough but a lot of fun and beautiful reward at the lake...
3 hours to the top, 2 hours to get back.
Cheers!
Posted: January 27, 2014 02:05:39 AM PST
Kat from Abbotsford writes:
Hi everyone,
a group of us did this hike on Friday Oct 4th 2013.It's a great hike & I've done it ten years ago in the summertime. The points I wanna make now are: 1) bring gators to keep your feet dry as there was a foot of snow on 1/3 of the trail
2) it gets dark at 6pm in early October so start early.
3) even if you start early you'd be in trouble if you got off the trail and have to find your way back to it. So pay attention to the markers.
4) in case you do screw up bring a head lamp.There is cell reception in the lower part of the trail by the way.
Cheers and happy trails !
Posted: October 7, 2013 09:16:03 AM PST
Rita from North Van writes:
As someone said before...worth the effort!! Did this today, September 2 starting at 12 noon with slight overcast and turning to mostly sun but clearly after a rainfall.
I was bedraggled today without sleep and a couple of blisters but my daughter and I did this up in about 2 hours and change with eating a few berries and admiring the views.,,and I held her back a bit. You really should have a decent level of fitness for this hike...not a novice thing to do.
It was gratefully not too wet because you can easily see how this could make it quite awful...not to do when it is raining or wet I think for any enjoyment that is.
It is way harder and longer than the grind which we both do...no easy steps here but there are spectacular views at the end and wonderful streams and waterfalls, flowers etc along the way.
On the way down, with both of us having knee problems, it took us longer to get back...about 2.5 hours. If you have knee issues just beware that you will feel this going down but take your time and it will eventually and thankfully end.
Posted: September 2, 2013 10:34:20 PM PST
Krysten from Surrey writes:
Did this on Saturday, it was a good challenge. The top stretch to the lake is quite steep but when you get to the top it is well worth the effort. At the lake itself it was pretty cold. No snow on the trail whatsoever. Talking to some fellow hikers, there's apparently a rather large angry hornets nest right by one of the bridges. I didn't personally see anything going up or down but just something to be aware of.
Posted: August 25, 2013 07:41:07 PM PST
Alexandra from Vancouver writes:
Hello,
I've done this hike today. Took us 2,5h to get up and 1.45h to get down. Rested at the lake for about 30min (it was a bit cold).
The trail is well marked. No snow whatsoever on the trail now. Plenty of water on the way.
Prepare yourself for a steep, steep, steep trail. On the last part of the trail, I was using my hands to walk on the rocks.
The lake is beautiful and so are the glaciers in the near by. Plenty of camping places which is nice to see.
Posted: August 24, 2013 10:03:38 PM PST
Jordan from reston, va writes:
I ran this today. Hit the summit about 90-100 minutes after leaving the trailhead. Trail was well marked and mostly clear. Had no problem in running shoes going up or down. In retrospect I probably would recommend running up and hiking down. The descent is murder on the knees. Roundtrip about 3.5-4 hours.
Posted: August 10, 2013 10:07:53 PM PST
Edgar from Vancouver writes:
Did it today - as always awesome. Took me 2 h to get up and 1, 25 h to get down. No snow but lots of bugs and flies on the top.
Posted: July 24, 2013 10:05:33 PM PST
Julian from Austin writes:
This is my favorite hiking trail of all time! I just did it again today with my dad and my sister, and we found everything to be perfect (except for the copious amount of mosquitos). Little snow was left on the trail, and we hardly ran into mud.
Posted: July 20, 2013 07:19:28 PM PST
Conny from Vancouver writes:
The path is clear. There's just a bit snow left at the very end of the trail.
Posted: July 8, 2013 03:47:21 PM PST
Ravi from Seattle writes:
I'm planning to do this tomorrow (July 6.) The Whistler information Center informed me that most of the snow is gone, except for a few patches around the lake itself. So you should be fine. Will confirm this once I'm back as well.
Posted: July 5, 2013 12:06:00 PM PST
Danny from Victoria writes:
Hello,
I'm just wondering if anyone has been up to Wedgemount Lake recently?
I'm planning a hike up there for this week, but I only have running shoes and am wondering if anyone knows what the snow situation is like on the trail?
thanks!
Posted: July 1, 2013 10:56:19 AM PST
Jen from Vancouver writes:
LOST Canon point-and-shoot camera on the hike this weekend, likely near the bottom of the trail or in the parking lot. Please call Jen 778-238-7470 if found! Camera itself doesn't have much value, but I'd really like to get the photos from our beautiful weekend.
We hiked to Wedgemount Lake Sept 22-23 and camped overnight. I found the hike quite steep and gruelling, but it would definitely be easier without an overnight pack. Weather was fantastic and there were no bugs. Lots of great tent platforms - we chose one down by the water. Beautiful views!
Posted: September 27, 2012 07:07:29 PM PST
Mathieu Sitaya from Vancouver writes:
A friend and I hiked Wedgemount today (09/07/12). Beautiful day and warm throughout the whole hike (except for when we left in the morning 830am-ish) even up at the Lake. Mosquitos were in abundance! Road leading up to parking lot is still full of pot holes and is overdue for some maintenance. Arrived back at vehicle around 5pm after having spent about an hour or so at the lake. My friend is out of shape and has a bit of a knee problem so we took plenty of breaks and took our time ascending. We made really good time coming back down to the car in about 2 hrs. Some serious vertical especially on the last part of the ascent ( Hilary's step )..
Posted: September 8, 2012 12:00:38 AM PST
Brandon Blum from port moody writes:
I did the trail about 2 weeks ago. I can't comment on the Cheakamus trailhead parking path, but I did take the wedgemount path on my 09 Hyundai Tiburon. There were lots of cars there - It's a road made of mainly rocks... theres TONS of potholes, I took a couple pretty fast and had huge bumps... wasn't too good for my car.
If you go slow (10/20 KM/h) you can avoid all the potholes. It's a bit slippery for small cars too... so make sure not to under-estimate it, and go as slow as you can / try not to hit potholes. I had to hold on the brakes for even the slighest hills, and I still was going pretty fast. It is doable if you go slow, and should be fine if your careful.
Posted: August 21, 2012 10:11:57 PM PST
Jon from Edmonton writes:
Can someone comment on the state of the road to the trailhead? I just backpacked Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge etc during the stunning weather of last week and was happily blown away. But the gravel road to the Cheakamus trailhead was a bit rough for my little Honda Fit. How does the Wedgemount access road compare?
Posted: August 19, 2012 11:57:01 PM PST
Barb from Hamilton, Ontario writes:
I'm thinking of doing this hike. I was wondering about bears and cougars. Anybody run into any problems with animals?
Posted: August 7, 2012 12:18:20 PM PST
Amy from Vancouver writes:
Hiked to Wedgemount Lake as a day hike on Sunday. There was one small patch of snow on the trail leading to the Glacier but the lake itself and the main trail were both snow and ice free. Have fun!
Posted: August 6, 2012 11:39:18 PM PST
Chris D from Vancouver writes:
I live in Whistler and I planing on Hiking Wedgemount Lake on Tuesday August 7th. I may stay over night in the cabin, not sure yet. I'm looking for people to hike with. I've done the hike before in 6 hours round trip ( with out camping gear)
I'm an experienced hiker but I can slow down my pace as well for others.
Eamil me if you interested in a hiking partner!
[email protected]
Posted: August 1, 2012 03:37:59 PM PST
Kaila from Seattle writes:
Hello! Has anyone been on this trail within the past week or so? We are going up there next week and we were wondering if the lake was still covered in snow? Or if the trail was clear or still covered in snow as well?
Thank you!
Posted: July 23, 2012 07:57:02 AM PST
Zach from Richmond writes:
went up august 19, and it was stunning. conditions were excellent almost no snow and there was only a little bit of ice on the lake. it is difficult and long. it took us 4 hours to get to the top, however we did stop a lot and saying that i have completed the grouse grind in 52min. well worth the hike, would of liked to stay a couple of days but i don't have the gear but i recommend it for sure.
Posted: July 20, 2012 08:08:04 PM PST
KW from Seattle writes:
Hiked to the summit on Thursday. Weather conditions was sunny and blue skies very warm temperatures. Trail route is marked well with reflective patches but overall the trail itself is wet to muddy. Everything is fine until you reach the final push upward in which you'll encounter basically a snow field. With a few days of sunshine before Thursday, the snow was somewhat mushy and difficult to get traction in some area's depending on your footwear but the trail of footprints blazed by previous hikers is easy enough to follow, just give yourself enough time. Also, if you use some of the non-snow covered rocks adjacent to the snow field, that could speed up your journey to the top, but plodding through the snow is fun too, especially on the way down. Trekking poles or an ice axe adds stability and can save energy if used properly. At the top you get great views but the lake is pretty much still iced over with a few small patches of the turquoise blue to be seen.
Posted: July 8, 2012 11:37:59 PM PST
Shay from Vancouver writes:
Hey, I'm looking for any current conditions up on the trail or the summit. Thanks! Shay
Posted: July 7, 2012 04:07:15 PM PST
Jeff from Vancouver writes:
Wanted to do this hike next weekend. Anyone know what the conditions are like? Never done a hike like this and would like to be somewhat prepared.
Posted: June 22, 2012 10:42:43 PM PST
Nuwan from Vancouver writes:
We did this hike on 17th Sept. 2011. The following small video will give you a good idea about the trail and hike : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBG_sERzHgE&feature=share
Posted: June 2, 2012 12:23:35 PM PST
Kat from North vancouver writes:
I did this hike Oct 5th! It was pouring with rain when we started...and by the time we got to the top..snow began to fall. About 6 inches dumped while we got up there. So just be warned if its raining it might snow on you! Besides that. One of the best hikes I have done in awhile. Regular running shoes, sweater, rain jacket and lunch. You are good to go. Have fun!!!
Posted: October 17, 2011 08:18:47 PM PST
Lynda from Vancouver writes:
I am planning on hiking to Wedgemount Lake, Sat Oct 15th, approx 10:30am (dependent on traffic from Van), my hiking buddy cancelled on me - anyone going to be on the trail? - maybe we can meet up? Would be nice to know there are other hikers in the vicinity.
Posted: October 14, 2011 11:06:39 AM PST
Arun Paul from Vancouver writes:
I did the hike to Wedgemount lake on October 2nd.
You could comfortably hike till the glacier without any ice or snow on the trail. But you will find it slippery while coming down.
I could hardly see any people on the trail and I had the ultimate solitude experience around the lake and the glacier.
Posted: October 3, 2011 01:06:09 PM PST
Nuwan from Vancouver writes:
It can be done with normal running shoes, but I recommend hiking boots. We did this hike yesterday (17th Sept). Some parts of the trail are very slippery, but one of us managed it with normal running shoes.
Posted: September 18, 2011 07:05:42 PM PST
Edgars from VANCOUVER writes:
Easy - I saw some guys in flip flops :)
Posted: September 14, 2011 04:46:44 PM PST
ashley from vancouver writes:
Just wondering if this hike can be done without hiking boots. thanks
Posted: August 30, 2011 02:49:47 AM PST
Mike from Burnaby writes:
thought i would add my experience with this hike. I did it with a couple of friends on August 21.i think the temperature was around 18-20 degrees with alot of sun.
Driving from Burnaby to the base took us just under 2 hours. we started the hike at 9:30 and got up to the lake around 2:30 or 3. Getting back down took us a little bit less time than going up.When we came back down it was getting pretty dark around 8:00.
First off, I am not a very experienced hiker and i found this hike to be a good workout but definately not as tough as i had expected. My fellow hikers werent in very good physical condition and so thats why it took us as long as it did. So, if someone reading this is interested in doing this hike but has doubts because of their fitness levels, its still do-able, but just plan on a whole day of hiking and a good calf and knee workout!
There are a few spots where there were rock slides and a couple of spots where youve got to pull yourself up a bit because its either too high of a step or the dirt is too loose. the last 100 metres or so is the toughest of the climb. But once you get to the top, and you look over the other side and see the lake, it makes it all worthwhile.
I recommend doing this hike in shorts and tshirt and bringing a sweater as there was a bit of wind when we were sitting by the lake enjoying our lunch.there is also an outhouse and places to setup tents at the top.bring sufficient water as there is nowhere to fill up until you get to the lake (there are a few slow-moving creeks but i didnt hear about how suitable they are for drinking).also, theres ALOT of mosquitos and black-flies pretty much the entire time.
hope this information helps some of you. i tried to be a little bit more detailed than some of the other reviews i've read because just saying "you need to be in shape" is a relative statement and doesnt mean much unless you say why. the only other climbs ive done are the grouse grind and the chief. and i think if you could do the grouse grind without any major problems, then you'll have no problem at all on this hike! i also think one could make it up to the top in between 2-3 hours. Enjoy!
Posted: August 23, 2011 02:58:08 AM PST
J D from Van writes:
We hiked this trail today, August 15. Its a great hike and I highly recommend it! Took us (3 fit young guys) 3 hours to get up and 2.5 to get down, with about 1.5 hours at the lake. I like this hike a lot because of its varying terrain and scenery (every few minutes there's something new to check out to keep you interested - rockslides, waterfalls, streams, etc.) and because of its physical challenge, which was tough, but not *too* tough. The end result, the lake, was also gorgeous! There are also some cute marmots who play around near the top that you can get ridiculously close to without them getting scared off!
To address comments on the trail being poorly marked - its a lot better now. We met a park ranger who was busy putting up lots of new markings, so no one should have a problem with that anymore.
Bugs are indeed bad along the way up, but if you keep moving you'll be fine.
Be sure to bring warm clothing (and mittens!) for the top, as snow is still scattered around and, on a cloudy day like it was today, it was absolutely freezing up there!
Happy hiking!
Posted: August 15, 2011 10:02:38 PM PST
Harjot from Burnaby, BC writes:
Hiked up to Wedgemount yesterday (Aug 14), took us 4 hours to get up, 3.5 hours to come down. It was cloudy near to lake and the temperature dropped significantly, make sure you take along a jacket/long pants. Otherwise, well worth the trek!
Posted: August 14, 2011 07:01:42 PM PST
Edgars from Vancouver writes:
Did it today on August 7 - an awesome hike! Pretty steep and challenging. Snow is gone. We got up in 2,5 h and took around 2 h to get down but we spend 2 h to enjoy the epic view. No bugs or we had a great bug spray :)
So it is easy to access not many people on the trail. Can stay overnight in the small house or in your tent.
Posted: August 7, 2011 10:10:31 PM PST
Lauren from Vancouver writes:
Hiked up to the lake on August 1st and the trail is totally passable. I would recommend hiking boots, especially since there are some patches of snow. Whatever you do, make sure they are comfortable or bring a blister kit - the trek up is very steep and can be hard on the heels if your foot moves around in your boot. The view is beautiful and the lake is mostly clear with some ice on it. There is some snow kicking around but the tent pads are clear if you intend to overnight there. Bugs were bad on the way up, especially if you stop moving, but I didn't actually get any bites and there were none once you got up to the lake.
All in all - fantastic hike and highly recommend it!
Posted: August 2, 2011 05:38:11 PM PST
Jorge from Vancouver writes:
Hiked to the lake on July 27th. The trail is steep all the time except in between km 3 and km 4 where it is essentially flat. Last kilometer is covered with snow and given the steepness of the route one can keep sliding at every attempt to move forward. Better to scramble through the boulder strip running next to the main path during this last stage of the hike. At this point you will be able to enjoy an amazing view of the valley below. You can see a part of Green Lake which is near Whistler.
Once at the top, Wedgemount Lake is still almost completely covered by snow but some areas have melted already and you can see the characteristic turquoise tone typical of the glacier lakes of the area. If you are lucky you may see ducks swimming in the lake, I guess they were ducks but it was difficult to be certain from the distance. What is more likely that you will see around the BCMC cabin are marmots, not too shy, they let you get close as long as you don't make sudden movements.
The whole view of the glacier and the mountains around the lake is impressive. The feeling is cozier in this lake than in Garibaldi Lake since the former is much smaller and the mountains around it are closer than in the latter. The hike down can be more grueling than the one up since the steepness will cause a lot of strain on your knees. Beware of the mosquitoes.
Posted: July 29, 2011 08:29:35 PM PST
Tanner Kindred from Langley writes:
Hiked this trail yesterday (July.24.11) with my brother. It was an amazing trail to hike; quite difficult though compared to other trails in the area so be prepared.
There was still quite a bit of snow near the top; therefore I suggest anyone wanting to hike this to wait a few weeks more till the snow melts. The snow is hard enough to walk on but makes it very slippery in some spots and be prepared to fall through the snow in some spots as well. Boots are a good idea if you're planning on hiking to the top, when there is still snow. The snow of course is melting, which is causing pools of water to form on the trail and creating a huge spawning ground for mosquitoes. Therefore, bring bug spray because if you stop on the trail for a break (without using bug spray) you will be swarmed by them; ask me how I know.
Other than the snow and the bugs, I highly recommend this hike. The view of the lake, glacier and surrounding mountains are absolutely amazing; let alone to view of the valley below when you look backwards from the top.
Posted: July 25, 2011 05:07:22 PM PST
Leon from Vancouver writes:
Just hiked this trail for the first time last saturday with 2 of my friends on July9th 2011. Its a very beautifull and natural but challenging trail. Much of trail marks have either faded or placed very far apart. Its hard to follow, especially when you are all focusing on your steps. We got lost 1/3 of the way up. We walked off the trail thinking we were on the right track. We end up spending almost an hr trying to hike straight up from massive cut off logs to another marked point.
2/3 of the way up its all snow. Much of the snow layers have started to melt and thinned. Be very carefull and try not to put your full weight on one step. I fall through the snow plenty of times, especially the snow plie beside a rocks and trees.
The last slop before the Lake is still fully covered by snow and it gets steeper. Hiking boot is definatly a recommand if you want to reach the lake. Unfortunately, we never made it to the Lake this time. We manage to hike up to 3/4 of the last slop. However, one of my friend wore a trail runner instead of hiking boot. She couldn't help herself but keep sliding down hill.
It was a great hike! I am definately going back up again soon before end of July.
Posted: July 13, 2011 04:29:10 PM PST
Julian from Austin writes:
Has anyone recently hiked up wedge glacier? How were the conditions up there and how much gear was needed?
Posted: June 23, 2011 08:34:47 PM PST
Glen from Edmonton writes:
Hoping to hike Wedgemount Lake the first week of July - but read that the snowpack around Whistler and Blackcomb mountain trails had delayed the opening of trails there. Anybody know if we'd face similar issues on the Wedgemount hike?
Posted: June 17, 2011 07:39:55 AM PST
Adrian from North Vancouver, BC writes:
Hi Sarah, the 'times' on this site are return, not one-way unless specifically stated.
Are you coming over from the UK on vacation soon ? Such an awesome part of the country to visit and hike in.
We have completed many of the hikes on this site over the years and you can see more photos at www.vancouverstuff.blogspot.com.
Adrian
Posted: April 22, 2011 09:20:56 PM PST
sarah from leeds, UK writes:
Hi
Just a general question- do the timings on this site for point to point walks include the return trip or just one way?
Thanks
Sarah
Posted: April 20, 2011 05:23:43 AM PST
Todd from Burnaby writes:
Be careful of wasp nests near the ground. There are no markers anymore. They have been there for a few years already. We met 4 groups with at least 1 person stung. Other than that, it was terrific. When you're at the really steep part, don't use your poles. Sometimes they're just going to be a nuisance to you and even a safety hazard.
And about the road up there, we managed to get a 12 year old Ford up the hill.
I did this hike with running shoes which was a BIG mistake. My whole lower body (feet, ankles, legs) were completely sore.
Bring some after-bite too. :P
Posted: September 26, 2010 01:28:48 PM PST
Lars from White Rock writes:
Started the hike with my wife on Saturday 31st of July, camped overnight at wedgemount lake and returned on the 1st of August. The trail is snowfree and so are all the campsites. The trail is tough but the view will overcompensate the efforts it has cost you.
I parked a few metres below the bumpy part (as described in an earlier comment). It just adds about 1 more kilometer to your hike.
Lars
Posted: August 2, 2010 03:55:58 PM PST
Alex from Vancouver writes:
Yes, amazing views! Definitely worth it. The climb is pretty tough, but the couple flat areas crossing boulder fields come at good spots to let you catch your breath. The final 300m climb at the end is the steepest, most difficult part - and you're fully exposed to the sun and wind (bring a hat!).
The road on the way up has a really tough section to get through with a normal car. About halfway up the road (1K or so?). 10-20m of it is really rough, I barely managed in an all wheel drive car but several people got stuck trying to navigate it (tow trucks were blocking the road on the way out, some people in the ditch). If you don't have a 4X4 then probably park alongside the road before you hit that bit!
Posted: July 26, 2010 03:12:22 PM PST
Drew from Maple Ridge writes:
Did the trail July 10th. WoW! Amazing visual rewards once you summit. Next time I do this hike I'm going to overnight it. It's a real grind in the summertime to do an up/down. Cooler weather would be preferable in the spring or fall but then the snow becomes a major factor.
The trail is in excellent condition. The "midway rockslide" is captivating and a good place to refresh with the meandering glacier stream. Once we cleared the alpine treeline up top and faced the snow covered bowl and distant ridgeline, it truly was a guessing game as advertised. The trail markers are small, faded, and difficult to find. If it wasn't for previous tracks we could have wasted an hour looking for markers. Don't be discouraged by this though, as we discovered on the way down, once you are in the bowl any path up will get you to the lake.
Finally, people, wear proper footwear!Don't attempt this hike in a pair of running shoes. It's not the Squamish Cheif or the Grouse Grind.
Posted: July 23, 2010 10:35:15 AM PST
Lars from White Rock writes:
Anyone who did his trail very recently? Looks like beautiful trail but would like to do it when the roads are snowfree.
Thanks,
Lars
Posted: July 17, 2010 01:42:37 PM PST
Kevin from Vancouver writes:
June 6 2010. I hiked with two friends to ski the NW Couloir and it was beautiful. The trail is in rough condition due to winter storms so be prepared to climb under and over trees in mud scrambling up the constant elevation gain and keep the orange tag in your sight. Thank you BC Parks for the roomy hut to camp out in at after long hours of hiking. There is plenty of beautiful spring time snow to ski so be prepared with everything you need:)
Posted: June 8, 2010 09:17:23 PM PST
Brian from Delta writes:
How difficult is it to drive to the trailhead with a regular car?
Posted: May 15, 2010 10:11:07 AM PST
Kevin from Richmond, BC writes:
Did the hike just this past weekend. The view is brilliant and for sure one of the most rewarding hike out in BC. The lake and water is turquoise blue and absolute a stunning view of the glacier with the lake.
The difficult part of it is definitely quite match the description. It does feel like the Grouse Grind all the way up for about 3.5 hours. Hiking poles on the way down is definitely recommended and especially very steep going down near the viewpoint. It's pretty chilly up at the lake so bring something warm up there if you are staying up there for a bit.
*Caution* - I got stung a couple of time by wasps. There are a couple of ground level wasp nests along after the water fall and slightly huge one after the 2nd rock slide. ( Both marked. Watch for the signs on the trees. ) Long pants and long sleeve is suggested for the hike. Watch for the markers and don't stomp on the ground.
Posted: August 24, 2009 05:55:25 PM PST
Rachael and Clay from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA writes:
We just completed this hike this past week. It was certainly a difficult climb to the top with almost a constant elevation gain. The last 20 minutes of the hike provided a steep ascent up rocks and crannies. However, the view at Wedgemount Lake was gorgeous. The lake looks just as blue-green as in the picture on this site.
When we arrived, no one was sleeping at the hut. However, there were at least three other campers who brought tents and camped around the area (on the lake shore or away from the shore). We also set up a tent and found ourselves to be the only ones sleeping on one of three wooden platforms at the top of the mountain near the hut.
Snow still capped the mountains even in mid-August. The temperature was cool but not unbearable. The water was too cold for us to swim in (but then again, we come from balmy Florida).
Overall, the trail seemed well marked. Several trees were down, but all had been cleared from the path. I would certainly recommend this hike!
Posted: August 21, 2009 10:27:12 PM PST
Dwayne Doornbosch from Forest, Ontario writes:
Just wondering if any one could tell me if there is still snow past Wegdemount Lake heading up to Mount Weard? We are planning a hike there this weekend.
Cheers,
Dwayne
Posted: July 17, 2009 10:21:53 AM PST
Doug from Vancouver writes:
We went up to Wedgemont on July 6th, 2009 and it was absolutely brilliant. Its a grueling trek, but by far one of the most rewarding hikes in the area. It was completetly snow free and seeing the lake and the glacier was incredible.
Make this hike a priority!
Doug & Elyse
Posted: July 6, 2009 11:40:53 PM PST
Becky Lacroix from Whistler writes:
The trail to Wedgemount Lake is snow free now. There were quite a few trees down blocking the trail but there is obvious path around or over each one.
I did this hike back in 2004 and it looks like the glacier has receded even further, despite this past winter being colder then normal. It will be a sad day when the glacier is no more.
Posted: July 14, 2008 09:02:16 AM PST
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Bianca from Vancouver writes:
Found a jacket on the trail July 22, would love to return it to the owner who I think we met at the lake. Email me with the brand and style to get back EDIT Contact Vancouver Trails /EDIT
Posted: July 22, 2024 08:57:19 PM PST