Wedge-Weart Col from Wedgemount Lake
The Wedge-Weart Col is possibly the easiest of the difficult destinations from Wedgemount Lake. It is a long scramble through the boulder strewn terrain to the Wedge Glacier, then a long, potentially dangero ascent up Wedgemount Glacier. It is deceptively far so allow 5 hours roundtrip, hut to hut.For the average hiker to Wedgemount Lake, one of the first objectives after reaching the Wedge Hut is to head down to the lake and see the Wedge Glacier up close. From Wedgemount Glacier's glacier window you can head up the glacier by hiking along the left side of the glacier. Though glacier hiking is always potentially dangerous, by hiking along the left side near the edge of the glacier you are relatively safe. As you will soon see, crevasses are infrequent, small and more of a curiosity than a danger for much of this section. Up towards the middle and right side of the Wedgemount Glacier you will notice massive crevasses in the distance. Conditions change and use your best judgement while hiking on the glacier for your own safety. From the hut there is a well worn, though unmarked trail that descends down the boulder field towards the glacier. This easy trail takes you down to the lake shore and past the lakefront tent pads positioned in an incredible setting across from the glacier. The trail starts to fade past the tent pads as you skirt the far edge of Wedgemount Lake toward the glacier. The massive glacier window at the foot of the glacier is quite an amazing site. A giant cave of sorts where meltwater flows out from under Wedge Glacier.
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. Wedgemount Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park
Wedgemount Lake itself is a magnificent destination for a day hike or spectacular overnight beneath the dazzling mountain peaks and stars. Many sleep under the stars on one of the many beautiful tent platforms that dot the landscape. Solidly built, wooden tent platforms are everywhere you look at Wedgemount Lake. Strategically positioned, these platforms manage to maintain an amazingly secluded feel despite their numbers. In all Wedgemount Lake has 20 of these tent areas. Most are wooden, but several down by the lake shore are gravel, yet every bit as nice. 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 The elevation gain makes a tremendous difference when carrying a heavy backpack and unprepared for the exertion. There is hardly a section of the trail that is not steeply uphill. The first 15 minutes takes you into the deep forest as you run along Wedgemount Creek. This crashing creek can be heard from quite a distance and gives you a hint of the steepness of the trail to come. The source of Wedgemount Creek is of course Wedgemount Lake which tumbles down almost 300 metres in the spectacular Wedgemount Falls. You will be able to see Wedgemount Falls around the 5 kilometre mark along the trail. It is far off to the right in the distance. Despite the distance, you will hear it loud and clear and some easy to find and get to areas off the trail give amazing views of it. One of the defining features of Garibaldi Provincial Park, and Wedgemount Lake in particular, is the staggering number of branching hikes from the main destination of the lake itself. For many, Wedgemount Lake and the Wedge 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 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 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, however you still have to pay the overnight camping fee of $10 per person, per night. You can pay online here. 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 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. 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. 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. The Wedge Hut is as wonderful thing. Wedgemount Lake - Campsite, Trail & Parking Info
Directions & Trail Map for Wedgemount Lake
Printer, smartphone and tablet friendly. Designed to fit standard printers and copiers. To print: Right Click on the map, save image as, save to desktop, then open the image and print on standard size printer paper. Cell coverage usually reaches to Wedgemount Lake so you will likely be able to access the internet if you have a data plan, however saving this image may be a good idea.
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