Wedgemount Lake, Garibaldi Park                                    Whistler Hiking Trails

Wedgemount Lake is one of the most spectacular hikes in Garibaldi Park. Though it’s a relentlessly exhausting, steep hike, it is mercifully short at only 7km. The Lake itself is a magnificent destination for a day hike or spectacular overnight beneath the dazzling mountain peaks and stars.  At a fast hiking pace you can reach Wedgemount Lake from the trailhead in just an hour and a half but at a leisurely or backpack laden pace you will likely take over two hours.  The trail is well marked and well used.  The steepness of the trail doesn't require any technical skill, however that last kilometre before the lake you will be scrambling on all fours quite a bit.

One of the defining features of Garibaldi Park, and Wedgemount Lake in particular, is it’s incredible number of branching hikes from it’s main, more travelled destination. For many, the Wedgemount Hut is the base for hikes to Wedge Mountain, Mount Cook, Mount Weart, Mount Moe, Mount James Turner and Mount Currie in Pemberton, crossing glaciers such as Wedgemount Glacier, Weart Glacier, Armchair Glacier, Mystery Glacier and the Needles and Chaos Glacier to name a few. Dozens of unforgettable peaks can be reached from this quiet little hut overlooking this perfect, turquoise lake.  In short, if you were to design a paradise in the mountains, Wedgemount Lake would be the standard to which all others would pale.

The sheltered valley, beautiful turquoise lake, wonderfully huge glacier across the valley and brutally jagged mountains all around all contribute to making Wedgemount Lake something special.  It's challenging and exhausting to hike to and an absolute paradise to relax in.  Down by the lakeside you can actually find two recliner chairs, built out of the rocks by the lake.  Such a perfect way to enjoy the sun rising over the not-so-distant glacier across the lake.

The Wedgemount Lake Hut                    Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking Trails

The hut at Wedgemount Lake is a wonderful thing. Built by the BC Mountaineering Club in 1970, and since donated to Garibaldi Park, it is free to use by anyone. It's cozy with two large tables and a loft. Often, during busy times you will find the tables used as beds, a couple on the floor and four people up in the loft.

The Wedge Mountain Hut is positioned in a spectacular part of the world.  High up overlooking Wedgemount Lake.  In the massive shadow of Wedge Mountain, the highest mountain in the entire Garibaldi Range.  It's a cozy and compact little house in the middle of the carnage of massive rocks, erratics left over the centuries by glaciers and rock slides.

Back in the late 60's the British Columbia Mountaineering Club went forward with building five huts in the Coast Mountains of BC.  Two of the five were built in Garibaldi Park, they were The Russet Lake Hut in 1968 and the Wedgemount Lake Hut in 1970.  Because structures like these cannot be owned as they are in BC Parks, they are open for use by anyone.

The often derided Wedgemount Hut is basic of course.  The UBC Varsity Outdoor Club calls it, "dark, only sleeps about 8 people, and is minimally equipped." Which infers that this club likes their hiking destinations equipped with coffee makers and halogen lights.  It doesn't have flush toilets or a microwave either.  It's simply a nice, solid, secure little house in a hostile wasteland of beauty.  As you walk in you notice right away a feeling of warmth hits you.

There are two large wooden tables along the left and right walls and a little window across from the door.  On entering you notice a ladder going straight up to the loft.  Everything is bare, weathered wood, but tidy and secure.

The Wedge Hut is as wonderful thing.

The Tent Platforms                                               Camping at Wedgemount Lake

Though this hut is wonderful and should be used, there are also several magnificent tent platforms. Nestled in alpine trees about 50 metres up the slope from the hut three wooden tent platforms hide. Closer to the hut, nestled in the massive erratics are three more platforms.  Also, down by the lake toward the mighty Wedgemount glacier there are several gravel tent pads, with the advantage of the lake just steps away.

Down at the shore of Wedgemount Lake, just across from the foot of the glacier are several wood framed, gravel tent platforms lined majestically along the shore. Strategically positioned to line your tent view directly across the lake to the breathtaking Wedgemount Glacier. The wonderful silence broken only by distant waterfalls and the occasional rock slide from across the lake.

The foot of the Wedgemount Glacier is just a short walk away.

The Lakeside Tent Areas                                     Camping at Wedgemount Lake

The Highest Peak in Garibaldi Park         Wedge Mountain From Rainbow Lake

The Wedge-Weart Col Glacier Hike

Easiest Hike From the Wedgemount Lake Hut / Long Scramble Along a Boulder Field Then Long Ascent up the Wedgemount Glacier / Allow 5 Hours Hut to Hut

This is a relatively easy scramble up a logical ascent of Cook Mountain.  The is the easiest, though still spectacular that has tremendous views of Wedgemount Lake and surrounding mountains from its summit.

Directions to the Wedge-Weart Col From the Wedgemount Lake Hut:

From the Wedge hut head down the scree valley trail to the left side of Wedgemount Lake.  Continue up the Wedgemount Glacier staying to the left edge of the glacier.  Looking up the glaciers left side you will the left edge become very steep and you will have to hike to the right of this towards the middle of the glacier.  You are aiming to get around this and bear left.  Halfway up the massive Wedgemount Glacier you will see the obvious Wedge-Weart Col in the distance to the left.

Cook Mountain

Easiest of the Mountain Scrambles From the Wedgemount Lake Hut / Long Scramble Up Steep Boulder Fields / Allow 4 Hours Hut to Hut

This is a relatively easy scramble up a logical ascent of Cook Mountain.  The is the easiest, though still spectacular that has tremendous views of Wedgemount Lake and surrounding mountains from its summit.

Directions to Cook Mountain From the Wedgemount Lake Hut:

It's a somewhat popular trail and it is possible to follow a faint trail and some trail markers much of the way from the valley to the crumbly, scree ridge at the base of Cook.  From the Wedge Hut, take the trail up past the outhouse (nearest the hut), and a few metres past the outhouse look for a faint trail heading off to the right.  You may lose the trail as some point so take a good look from here. Follow the trail now heading in the general direction of Armchair Glacier, gaining elevation fairly quickly.  After about 400 metres you will veer off left and make your way to the base of Cook Mountain, work your way to its far left and once reaching the left edge of Cook's ridge you can then follow the spectacular ridge to the Summit of Cook.

Weart Mountain

Moderately Difficult Scramble From the Wedgemount Lake Hut / Long Scramble Up Steep Boulder Fields (Elevation Gain 780m From Hut) / Allow 4-5 Hours Hut to Hut

Weart Mountain is the most popular of the branching hikes from Wedgemount Lake.  This is because of its extraordinarily beautiful views from its summit.  It is quite difficult and some tricky route finding is involved as you leave Wedgemount Glacier for the Weart ascent.  But you will have trouble finding more beautiful views from another peak in the area.

Directions to Weart Mountain From the Wedgemount Lake Hut:

From the Wedge hut head down the scree valley trail to the left side of Wedgemount Lake.  Continue up the Wedgemount Glacier staying to the left edge of the glacier on the talus and scree as comfortably possible until you see the creek that flows from Weart Mountain.  Continue up the left side of this creek, this is where the scrambling becomes difficult, but only for a short while.  The difficult section leads to a basin with a glacier to your right.  Stay to the left edge of this glacier and make your way somewhat directly up the scree slopes until you reach the ridge leading to Weart.  You will take this ridge to your left until you reach the summit.

Wedge Mountain

Very Difficult Scramble From the Wedgemount Lake Hut / Long Scramble Up Steep Boulder Fields and the Narrowly Abrupt Ridge to the Summit of Wedge (Elevation Gain 1300m From Hut) / Allow 6-7 Hours Hut to Hut

Wedge Mountain is a very popular summit to achieve as it is the highest mountain in all of Garibaldi Park and the Garibaldi Ranges.  It's quite daunting as to reach it you have to make your way along the spectacular wedge-shaped spine that gives it its name.

Directions to Wedge Mountain From the Wedgemount Lake Hut:

(Ice Axes and Climbing Experience Required)

There are several different routes to reach the summit of Wedge, this is one popular and comparatively easy route (though by no means easy).  From the hut follow the scree valley down the left side of Wedgemount Lake and make your way up the left edge of Wedgemount Glacer.  Continue up the glacier aiming for the centre of the glacier valley above.  As you continue up the left edge of the glacier you will have to move more directly up the middle-left of the glacier as the left becomes very abruptly steep.  Once you reach the main valley of the Wedgemount Glacier you will see it split in two directions.  Left goes to the Weart-Wedge Col and right goes to the valley between Wedge and Parkhurst Mountains.  Aim for this difficult scree filled valley.  Make your way to the other side of this scree valley until you see the west ridge of Wedge Mountain.  Scramble up this steep and difficult, crumbling scree slope staying to the right of the absolute ridge for most of this part.  This leads to the west ridge and obvious route to the summit.

Directions to the Wedgemount Lake Trailhead:

The trailhead to Wedgemount Lake, or Wedge as it's more often called is easy to find. Located a short, and beautiful, ten minute drive north of Whistler Village. Zero your odometer at Village Gate Boulevard and proceed north on Highway 99. At 11.3km a sign will direct you to turn right to "Wedgemount(Garibaldi) Trailhead". Cross the train tracks and the bridge over Green River. At 11.5km turn left onto the Wedge Creek Forest Service Road. At 11.7km turn right and head up the bumpy but drivable to all types of cars to the parking lot at 13.2km. The frequent suggestion that this road is recommended for 4x4 vehicles only is absurd.

In the winter months this last portion of road will likely be too deep with snow to drive, so parking here at the 11.7km mark may be as close as you can get.

The trailhead parking lot is large and well maintained with an information board and outhouse. No dogs are allowed on the trail as a courtesy to wildlife in the area.

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Wedgemount Lake(Wedge Mountain) Trailhead: (50.17149037440482, -122.86579102277756)

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