Cheakamus Lake Hike – Whistler Hikes

The Cheakamus Lake path is among the many few hikes accessible hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park that I hadn’t hiked until fairly these days. And I assume if I’m reliable I nonetheless haven’t executed the Cheakamus Lake hike; we mountain biked to Cheakamus Lake near Whistler as an alternative!

The trail for every mountaineering and biking is comparable so this Cheakamus lake hike data will apply to you whether or not or not you’re on two ft or two wheels. It’s a stupendous lake and a relatively simple path that’s snow-free earlier on inside the 12 months than most hikes in Garibaldi Nationwide Park so ensure you check it out.

NEW 2023 UPDATE!
You should have a day go to entry customary BC parks, Garibaldi (from June 14 – Oct 9), Joffre (Would possibly 6 – Oct 9) and Golden Ears (June 14 – Sept 4). The passes are free and on the market from 7 am two days sooner than your go to. All particulars & knowledge right here. 

Cheakamus Lake hike

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Cheakamus Lake is in Garibaldi Provincial Park that runs from Squamish as a lot because the north of Whistler. The park is well-known for Garibaldi Lake and associated hikes similar to Panorama Ridge, Elfin Lakes, and Wedgemount Lake.

The Cheakamus Lake path was considered one of many remaining hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park that I nonetheless needed to do and after I observed that you just would possibly journey your mountain bike there I knew I’d be succesful to get Thom to go along with me too!

This pretty hike near Vancouver takes you out to a the glacier-fed Cheakamus Lake which lies at 915 metres above sea stage and is surrounded by mountains.

The Cheakamus Lake path, Whistler is a relatively simple path with not an infinite amount of elevation change and so it’s an unbelievable family-friendly hike near Whistler.

Learn the way to get to Cheakamus Lake

The Cheakamus Lake trailhead is inside Whistler Interpretive Forest (the place you’ll uncover Loggers Lake and plenty of mountain biking trails). 

From Vancouver, you’ll take a right-hand flip on the Function Junction/Cheakamus Crossing web site guests lights after which protect left onto Cheakamus Lake avenue.

That’s an unpaved avenue with pretty a few potholes nonetheless a 2wd may make it alongside the road with a little bit little bit of care to miss the worst of the potholes!

Drive alongside this avenue for 7km until you come to a parking lot on the end and the Cheakamus trailhead.

Alternatively, for many who’re biking to Cheakamus Lake you’ll park up alongside the road sooner than the parking lot and cycle up the logging avenue to the parking lot.

Cheakamus Lake parking is free and there’s a pit lavatory proper right here too.

The Cheakamus Lake hike

Starting from the Cheakamus Lake trailhead and parking lot you’ll head out to an open path sooner than entering into the forest full of spectacular earlier bushes.

There are some small rolling inclines as you wander parallel to the Cheakamus River. If it’s a scorching day you’ll undoubtedly profit from the shade of the bushes!

1.5 km alongside the trail you’ll see a sign pointing to Helm Creek Campground. For those who occur to’re planning to hike to Garibaldi Lake by the use of Helm Creek then that’s the route you’ll take. To go to Cheakamus Lake, carry on straight.

You’ll rapidly come to the first Cheakamus Lake campground with some pretty spots correct on the river. We’ve decided these are these we’d go for pretty than the Singing Creek campground.

These spots had a quite a bit nicer view, have been correct on the lake, and appeared further private than on the completely different campground.

Merely keep in mind that they’re liable to flooding in spring so your reservation may ought to be cancelled.

For the following 4 km, the Cheakamus Lake path will get prettier and prettier as you get further views of the lake. We stopped on the primary campsite and situated a peaceful spot on the sting of the lake for early lunch and a break from biking.

There was a pair in a canoe speeding down the lake with the wind, snow-capped mountains, and the photo voltaic bought right here out merely enough that I couldn’t resist a quick swim!

Leaving this campsite we bought right here all through loads of downed bushes that we’d have appreciated to maneuver our bikes over and beneath. The picket smelled good though and the forest is attractive when the photo voltaic shines by the use of.

You then undoubtedly’ll come to the tip of the maintained path at merely over 7km from the trailhead.

There’s one different campground proper right here, Singing Creek campground, which might be good nonetheless the camp spots appeared a bit further packed collectively than on the completely different Cheakamus Lake campground.

When you’ve had your fill of the views, head once more one of the simplest ways you bought right here.

Cheakamus Lake path stats

• Distance: 15 km
• Interval: 4-6 hours
• Situation of the Cheakamus hike: Easy-moderate: Minimal elevation nonetheless comparatively prolonged
• Elevation: 402m
• See a Cheakamus Lake path map right here.

What to know sooner than you go

• Best time for Cheakamus Lake: The Cheakamus Lake path is commonly snow-free by late Would possibly. Confirm AllTrails opinions and BC Parks, for up-to-date knowledge regarding Cheakamus Lake path conditions and take microspikes when mountaineering in spring/fall as there is also snow/ice on the trail. In winter the 7km avenue to the parking lot is commonly gated, together with distance to your hike.
• Be journey good: Concede to respect the terrain, environment, and completely different prospects in case you are having enjoyable with the paths. Comply with the three Ts—journey planning, teaching, and taking the requirements AdventureSmart is an outstanding helpful useful resource that may help you get educated sooner than heading exterior
• Pack your 10 requirements 
• Take bear spray, you’re mountaineering in bear nation! And keep in mind your bear safety strategies.
• Concede to go away no trace
• This path is not canine nice
• Cheakamus tenting is obtainable at two campsites. Reservations by the use of tenting.BCParks.ca are required.

Cheakamus Lake tenting

There are two Cheakamus Lake campgrounds to pick out from Cheakamus Lake campground and Singing Creek campground. Every must be reserved prematurely by the use of Tenting.BCParks.ca as they refill, significantly at weekends.

The Cheakamus Lake campground is claimed to be the busiest, and though we didn’t camp, these spots did look like further private than the Singing Creek campground. This campground is just 3km from the parking lot and has 10 spots alongside the shore. There are pit bogs and bear hangs too.

On the end of the maintained path (7km in), is Singing Creek campground. There are pit bogs, bear hangs and 7 tent spots.

What to pack for mountaineering near Whistler

Completely different hikes in Garibaldi Provincial Park

• Elfin Lakes path
• Wedgemount Lake
• Panorama Ridge
• Garibaldi Lake

Ultimate Updated on February 2, 2023 by Hannah