Whistler Fall HikingNovember in Whistler is when the temperatures plummet and the first heavy snow falls in the alpine and often in Whistler Village.  The hiking opportunities become limited to easier and lower elevation hikes such as to Nairn Falls, Brandywine Falls and Rainbow Falls.  Waterfalls are a great in Whistler, huge and impressive.  Also, most can be accessed year-round. Alexander Falls, located high up in beautiful Callaghan Valley, just metres from a snow plowed road. 

Whistler & Garibaldi Hiking

Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerAlexander Falls  Moderate Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyAncient Cedars  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerBlack Tusk  Pay Use Hiking Trail WhistlerBlackcomb Mountain  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerBrandywine Falls  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyBrandywine Meadows  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyBrew Lake  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerCallaghan Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerCheakamus Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyCheakamus River  Whistler Hiking Trail HardCirque Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyFlank Trail  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerGaribaldi Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerGaribaldi Park  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerHelm Creek  Moderate Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyJane Lakes  Joffre Lakes Hike in Whistler in SeptemberJoffre Lakes  Moderate Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyKeyhole Hot Springs  Hiking Trail Hard Dog FriendlyLogger’s Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyMadeley Lake  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyMeager Hot Springs Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerNairn Falls  Whistler Hiking Trail HardNewt Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerPanorama Ridge  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyParkhurst Ghost Town  Hiking Trail Hard Dog FriendlyRainbow Falls  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerRainbow Lake  Moderate/Hard Hiking Trail Whistler Dog FriendlyRing Lake  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerRusset Lake  Whistler Hiking Trail EasySea to Sky Trail  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerSkookumchuck Hot Springs  Easy Hiking Trail WhistlerSloquet Hot Springs  Sproatt East  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerSproatt West  Moderate Hiking Trail WhistlerTaylor Meadows  Whistler Hiking Trail EasyTrain Wreck  Hiking Trail Hard - Whistler TrailsWedgemount Lake  Pay Use Hiking Trail WhistlerWhistler Mountain

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Even in the depths of winter the road to Alexander Falls is plowed and access is easy and safe.  Just a 20 minute drive north of Whistler Village on the Sea to Sky Highway is the contrastingly beautiful Nairn Falls Provincial Park.  A nice, easy and short trail takes you to these crashing and deep falls that have carved potholes in the rock over the years. Though Nairn Falls campground is very large and busy much of the year, in November the place is very quiet.  Not open for camping, the park is desolate and serene.  Unless there has been heavy and recent snowfall, the 1.2 kilometre trail doesn't require snowshoes and is easy and flat. Brandywine Falls is another great, short and easily accessible site to see in Whistler in November.  It is located just 20 minutes south of Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway.  Look for the sign if you are driving up from Vancouver and you can't miss it.  The hike is an easy and nice trail that takes less than 15 minutes from your car to the falls viewing platform.  The parking lot is immediately off the highway and the short 1 kilometre trail takes you over then alongside Brandywine Creek to the viewing area.

Brandywine Falls in November

The only facilities in Brandywine Falls Provincial Park the park are pit toilets and picnic tables and there is no charge for hiking or for parking your vehicle in the park.  The gate off of the highway is locked at night and in the winter so at these times you simply park at the edge of the highway and hike past the gate. Brandywine Falls Provincial Park is attached to the wonderful Sea to Sky Trail which runs between and beyond Whistler and Squamish.

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park Aerial View

Brandywine Falls Hike in Whistler in November

Brandywine Falls Provincial Park Map v5a

Best Whistler Hiking November – Sea to Sky Trail

Sea to Sky Trail Hike in Whistler NovemberThe Sea to Sky Trail is a 180 kilometre multi-use trail that runs from Squamish to D'Arcy. The trail is still under construction in many parts, however, the amazing route through Whistler is finally in place. The Whistler section of the Sea to Sky Trail is 33 kilometres long between Brandywine Falls Provincial Park and WedgeWoods Estates just north of Green Lake(north of Whistler Village). The 33 kilometre Whistler section of the Sea to Sky Trail is either paved, dirt or crushed rock and often very wide. Much of the trail just north and south of Whistler Village is wide, two lanes and paved with plenty of signs and occasional mapboards.  North of Whistler Village the trail can be challenging with several hills as it rises above and beyond Parkhurst Ghost Town.

Kups Blue Face Parkhurst

Sea to Sky Trail - South of Whistler Village

South of Whistler, the paved trail ends at Cheakamus Crossing and becomes a narrow at times dirt trail with some wider sections of crushed rock. This beautiful section follows Cheakamus River making four dramatically beautiful river crossings. The Cal-Cheak area south of Cheakamus Crossing is more challenging and sometimes narrow and hilly, dirt trails. South of Cal-Cheak the forest opens up and the trail widens to the luxurious feeling, wide and hard packed gravel all the way to Brandywine Falls Provincial Park where the trail joins with the Sea to Sky Highway. The Whistler section of the Sea to Sky Trail passes near and through an amazing array of whistler sights. The always impressive Brandywine Falls Provincial Park at the southern end of the 33 kilometre area shown here. Heading north from Brandywine Falls you cross the huge bungee jumping bridge that spans the enormous chasm over the Cheakamus River. Soon after you cross the suspension Bridge at the Cal-Cheak Recreation area.

Cheakamus River Suspension Bridge at Cal Cheak

At Cheakamus Crossing there are some scenic viewpoints of Cheakamus River and a short detour takes you to the extraordinary Whistler Train Wreck. Back on the Sea to Sky Trail heading towards Whistler Village you pass by three of Whistler's beautiful Lakes each with nice parks.  Alpha Lake ParkNita Lake Park and then along Alta Lake you pass Wayside Park and Lakeside Park.  The trail then runs through Whistler Village and enters the wonderfully sprawling Lost Lake Park network of trails.  As you pass by Lost Lake, the Lost Lake trail leads you to the Sea to Sky Trail. This section of the Sea to Sky Trail quickly ascends up to the ridge along Green Lake and takes you north to WedgeWood Estates at the northern end of this marvellous 33 kilometres, Whistler stretch of the Sea to Sky Trail.

Sea to Sky Trail Whistler Map v2

This is an incredible section of the Sea to Sky Trail. The trail is filled with amazing highlights and viewpoints. There are three convenient places to begin this section of the trail, Brandywine Falls, Calcheak or at Cheakamus Crossing. All have free parking just metres from the trail and all are close to some amazing sights. This description will describe the route south to north as if starting from Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. From the parking lot (park outside the gates if closed), you will see the large Sea to Sky Trail sign and mapboard indicating where to go. You cross the covered bridge and the first fork in the trail with the Sea to Sky Trail sign pointing right takes you to the Brandywine Falls lookout in 300 metres. Just before the falls lookout there is another sign for the Sea to Sky Trail branching to the left for the Calcheak Suspension Bridge 4 kilometres and Cheakamus Bungee Bridge 2.6 kilometres.  The trail descends and ascends past a few scenic viewpoints until reaching the fantastic Cheakamus Bungee Bridge at 2.6 kilometres. This huge and very high bridge spans the enormous chasm across the Cheakamus River with breathtaking views all around.

Sea to Sky Trail Whistler Bungee Bridge

Sea to Sky - Bungee Bridge - Hike in Whistler

Across the bridge the Sea to Sky Trail route continues along the Bungee Bridge access road before again becoming the Sea to Sky Trail. The trail now becomes a narrow, dirt and deeply forested path that runs along the beautiful Cheakamus River and then crosses it at the Calcheak Suspension Bridge. Once at Cheakamus Crossing the trail continues along a quiet residential road leading to a bridge across Cheakamus River.  There are great trails to the right here along the river and one runs along one side and returns the other side.  Each side 2 kilometres long and cross the river via, yet another suspension bridge.  This is a great trail if you have the time or energy and is also great to try on snowshoes.

Cheakamus River at Cheakamus Crossing

Back on the Sea to Sky Trail you will be heading along the Cheakamus Lake Road towards the Sea to Sky Highway. Just before the highway you will see a Sea to Sky Trail sign direct you to the right and the Sea to Sky Trail joins with Whistler's Valley Trail.  The Valley Trail system is Whistler is very nice.  Wide, paved and with two lanes, the Valley Trail extends throughout Whistler passing through most of the beautiful parks and lakes and leading to Whistler Village.  Athletes Village is now the beautiful neighbourhood called Cheakamus Crossing. Cheakamus Crossing is surrounded by some amazing sights in Whistler. The Sea to Sky Trail runs along the huge and crashing Cheakamus River.  Across the river is the sight of Whistler's most unique and extraordinary places, the Whistler Train Wreck.  This wonderful area of train wrecks has morphed into an amazing work of art and an amazing detour just off the Sea to Sky Trail

Train Wreck Hike in Whistler November

The Sea to Sky Trail crosses the Cheakamus River as you leave Cheakamus Crossing and veer toward the Sea to Sky Highway. Just before reaching the highway, the Sea to Sky Trail bends right and ascends up parallel to the highway towards Whistler Village. Back on the Sea to Sky Trail where you came from in Cheakamus Crossing, Whistler Creekside(Whistler Creek) is 3.5 kilometres of constant hills. The trail runs through the neighbourhood of Spring Creek before descending back down to cross the Sea to Sky Highway at the lights at Bayshore Drive. Astonishingly, this is the only significant, traffic related stop along the entire 33 kilometres route (the next Sea to Sky Highway crossing is via a Sea to Sky/Valley Trail underpass that connects the trail, uninterrupted to Whistler Village). After crossing the Sea to Sky Highway the Sea to Sky/Valley Trail takes you past Alpha Lake and the beautiful Alpha Lake Park. Then the trail winds its way past the Whistler Train Station in Creekside and along Nita Lake through Nita Lake Park and Lakeside Park on the popular, scenic and historical Alta Lake. After Lakeside Park the trail veers off through the neighbourhood of Alta Vista, leading to the Whistler Golf Course which then leads to the underpass to Whistler Village.

Sea to Sky Trail Whistler Village

Once the Sea to Sky Trail reaches Whistler Village the route to follow becomes a little confused. You have to pass through the heart of Whistler's wonderful Village.  If you are on your bike you have to walk it as it is pedestrian only.  If you don't want to walk you can easily plot a bike friendly route through the edge of the Village. If you would rather walk through all the action of the Village the most direct route takes you through Village Square and the heart of the Village. The Sea to Sky Trail continues out the far side of the Village, first past Lost Lake, via Lost Lake Park. Lost Lake is a tranquil and secluded lake that hides in the forest extending from Whistler Village. Just a 20 minute, leisurely walk or 5 minute bike ride along the well signed Valley Trail will lead you to this beautiful little lake.  The wide and paved Valley Trail turns into a wide and gravel trail as you enter Lost Lake Park. The main trail around the lake is a popular running route from Whistler Village as roundtrip from the Village, around Lost Lake and back to the Village is just 6 kilometres. There are plenty of nice viewpoints along the main trail as well as quite a few short trails that lead to several access points to the lake, some with great places to sit and relax in the sun and take in the view.

Lost Lake Pier Hike in Whistler November

Lost Lake Pier Hike in Whistler November

Lost Lake in November

Lost Lake has a very popular beach at one end and in the height of summer can get busy as it is the most convenient beach from Whistler Village. There are several swimming platforms out in the lake as well as a wonderful and huge pier along the right hand side of the lake.  An amazing place to catch the sunsets over Whistler Mountain. In the winter months when there is snow in Whistler, Lost Lake becomes a cross country and snowshoeing area and there is a charge to access the main trails around the lake. Usually from mid December to early April.  As you continue past Lost Lake you will see a small Sea to Sky Trail sign pointing to the right and directing you up into the beautiful trail above Green Lake that leads you up past Green Lake and comes out near the turnoff to Wedgemount Lake. This section of the Sea to Sky Trail above Green Lake is wide, gravel and somewhat steep. Lots of steep switchbacks get you ascending quickly above Green Lake. This section of the trail is remarkably windy which makes it quite fun as your view constantly changes.

Sea to Sky Trail view of Green Lake

Green Lake in November

This highlight of this stretch of the trail, apart from the beautiful views of Green Lake, is Parkhurst Ghost Town. Shortly after you begin your steep descent on the far side of Green Lake you will see an unmarked trail on your left. This leads you to this amazing relic of pre-Whistler history. Parkhurst was a small logging town several decades ago that was abandoned. Despite the harsh winters with crushing snow, one resilient house still stands.  It has been adorned with an amazing and haunting mural of a blue face.  Elsewhere in the area you find strange artifacts. An abandoned 1950's car, several 1940's trucks and logging machinery. And down on the shore of Green Lake an extraordinary and enormous Caterpillar tractor is perched on the shore as if waiting for the next batch of logs to move.  Back in the tangle of forest that used to be the Parkhurst sawmill you will find another 1940's Caterpillar tractor and a similarly old Cletrac tractor.  The Caterpillar's enormous plow is being lifted off the forest floor by the relentless growth of trees underneath.  Nearby you will spot a wonderfully surreal sight, a 65 year old tree growing through another enormous plow.  This extraordinary tree has squeezed through the triangle opening in the plow and has kept growing since the Parkhurst sawmill closed in 1956.  Quite an amazing sight, but like much of the best things in Parkhurst, you have to explore the area to find it.

Parkhurst Plow Tree in November

Parkhurst Ghost Town Caterpillar

Parkhurst Ghost Town Blue House

Back on the Sea to Sky Trail a few more descending switchbacks lead you to a logging road which leads you down to the Green River crossing to the Sea to Sky Highway.  This is where you often have to park in the winter to access the Sea to Sky Trail and Parkhurst as this logging road is buried in snow. The Sea to Sky Trail is still under sporadic construction in this area. You may spot a sign here that shows the trail continuing to the new Whistler neighbourhood of WedgeWood Estates.

Best Whistler Hiking November

All of the amazing hikes such as Joffre Lakes, Wedgemount Lake, Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk, Taylor Meadows, Helm Creek and all the rest will now require snowshoes to do.. and least mid to late in November.  This makes for some tough, though very rewarding hikes.  Often starting with snowshoes fastened to backpacks until the higher elevations on the trail, where they become necessary.  Certainly a lot of caution has to be taken in November as getting caught out in bad weather can quickly obscure the trail and leave you lost in the wilderness.

Joffre Lakes Snowshoeing Hike in November

Joffre Lakes Snowshoeing Hike in November

Wedgemount Lake Hut Hike in Whistler November

Snowshoeing Taylor Meadows Hike in Whistler November

Hot Springs Near Whistler in November

For something out-of-the-ordinary to do in November, taking a beautiful 2-3 hour drive north of Whistler to Skookumchuck Hot Springs is an amazing adventure.  These rustic hot springs are located on the beautifully crashing Lillooet River at the far end of the beautiful Lillooet Lake.  It is easily manageable to do as a wonderful day trip from Whistler, or if you have a tent or camper as an overnight trip at the nice, adjoining campsite.

Skookumchuck Hot Springs aka T'Sek

In November, you will find Skookumchuck very quiet and peaceful.  You may even have the entire place to yourselves.  The drive to get there is mostly along Lillooet Lake, which is snow plowed all winter.  There is a small charge to use the springs by day, and an overnight camping charge if you plan to stay.  Open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.  No reservations and Skookumchuck is available for camping, first come, first served.  Whistler is located along the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire and as a result has some amazing hot springs.  Skookumchuck Hot Springs is open year-round and is a maintained, though very rustic facility.  There is a small charge to use and quite a nice campground along the Lillooet River.  The other three, well known hot springs north of Whistler are usually accessible in early November, however snow will eventually close the road access to them by late November.  These three hot springs are called Sloquet Hot Springs, which is an hour north of Skookumchuck, and Meager Hot Springs and Keyhole Hot Springs, both located west of Pemberton (Pemberton is north of Whistler).

Skookumchuck Hot Springs in November

Sloquet and Skookumchuck Driving Map v13

Best Whistler Hiking November – Alexander Falls

If you would rather just jump in your car, take a beautiful drive directly to an amazing waterfalls viewpoint, then Alexander Falls is perfect for you.  High up in the beautiful Callaghan Valley, where some of the 2010 Olympic Games events were held, sits Alexander Falls Provincial Park.  A large viewing platform sits directly across from them and you can literally park your car 1 metre from this platform.  Alexander Falls are similar to Brandywine Falls in that they abruptly fall from a high and very vertical cliff to a chasm far below.  Just a 2 minute drive past Alexander Falls is Whistler Olympic Park.  The parking area and viewing platform at Alexander Falls is one big area just 40 metres from the main road, just before Whistler Olympic Park.  The adventurous can find the obscure trail that leads to both the top of the falls as well as, with great difficulty, to the base of the falls.  Alexander Falls is certainly one of the nicest spots for a picnic in Whistler.  The picnic areas are numerous, the surrounding forest is gorgeous and wild and Alexander Falls crashes loud and beautiful in the background.  Several picnic tables are located in forested clearings that were once used as campsites, so if you have a big group, you will have lots of room to spread out and enjoy the surroundings.  The free parking lot at Alexander Falls is enormous. Keep in mind that it is a day-use only parking area and camping or campfires are prohibited. If you are looking for a place to park overnight in the area the possibilities are endless.

Alexander Falls Hike in Whistler November

Alexander Falls Hike in Whistler November

Alexander Falls Hike in Whistler November

If you are interested in driving south to Vancouver there are some great places to hike there in November.  Certainly a lot warmer than Whistler, and most have great ocean views.  The Lions, West Lion Trail is only an hours drive south of Whistler in Lions Bay between Squamish and North Vancouver.  It's a fairly long, though well marked trail, 15k roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1282 metres in 7.5k.  You can't actually reach the summit of the West Lion in the winter, but the plateau before the summit has spectacular views of Howe Sound.

West Lion Summit Hike in November

Best Whistler Hiking November – Cheakamus Lake

Cheakamus Lake Hike in Whistler NovemberCheakamus Lake is usually accessible to hike until mid November, but of course that depends on the 8k access road.  Once it gets snow on it, it becomes difficult to drive.  Even a couple centimetres makes it difficult for cars that would have had no problem weeks before.  So check the weather or look outside in Whistler Village. If the snowline on Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain is up around mid-station then you should be fine to drive to Cheakamus Lake and go hiking.  Once you reach the trailhead/parking lot to Cheakamus Lake the hike to the lake only gains minimal elevation, so if you don't have snow at the trailhead, you shouldn't get significant snow on your hike.  November does vary quite a lot for snowfall and some years you can hike to Cheakamus Lake, almost snow-free until early December.  Other years find snow on the access road to the trailhead.  Even a small amount of snow can block access to most cars.

Cheakamus Lake Hike in Whistler November

Best Whistler Hiking November – Cheakamus River

Cheakamus River Hike in Whistler NovemberIf you want to head out hiking in the Cheakamus Lake area and there is too much snow to get to the lake, then you can find some great hiking or snowshoeing along Cheakamus River.  In November you can either find the Cheakamus River trails buried in snow or completely free of snow.  Every year is different and November is particularly hard to predict.  With snow or without, Cheakamus River is beautiful to see anytime of the year.  Located just off of the Sea to Sky Highway just 8 kilometres south of Whistler Village, the trailhead is easy to find.  From Whistler, drive south on the Sea to Sky Highway for 8 kilometres.  At the Function Junction intersection, turn left and you will see the Cheakamus Lake Rd on your left in about 300 metres.  If there is snow you will have to park here, if there is no snow you can park a few metres further up the road.  (You will be aiming to walk across the first bridge across the river that you will see almost immediately).  There is a fantastic snowshoeing route that takes you 2 kilometres along one side of the beautiful Cheakamus River then crosses the wonderful Cheakamus River suspension bridge, then returns to where you started via the other side of the river.  This is a great 4k snowshoeing route that is full of nice, river viewpoints, gradual hills and valleys, and some great sights at the suspension bridge.  This trail is fantastic on either foot or snowshoes so you can't go wrong hiking in November on this route.

Cheakamus River Hike in Whistler in November

Snowshoeing Cheakamus River

Best Whistler Hiking November – Train Wreck

Train Wreck Hike in Whistler NovemberDecades ago a train derailed south of Whistler, leaving seven train cars scattered in the forest next to Cheakamus River.  As it turns out, time and local effort has transformed this mess into a wonderful work of art, an extraordinary bike park, and a great place to hike.  The Whistler Train WreckCheakamus River winds its way, crashing and emerald green along the length of the Whistler Train Wreck, and there are several spectacular river vantage points that shouldn't be missed.  The whole length of the train wreck and Cheakamus River hike is 3 kilometres (each way) and the trails go along the beautiful river as well as several, widely spaced train wrecks.  The Whistler Train Wreck trailhead is best reached by the unmarked trailhead in Cheakamus Crossing, just 8k south of Whistler Village.

Hike in Whistler Train Wreck

Cheakamus River at Whistler Trail Wreck

Whistler Train Wreck Trail

Whistler Train Wreck Bridge

Whistler Train Wreck Cheakamus River

Whistler Train Wreck

Whistler Train Wreck Trail

Whistler Train Wreck Trail

Whistler Train Wreck Art

Whistler Train Wreck Map v10a

Best Whistler Hiking November – Taylor Meadows

Snowshoeing Taylor Meadows NovemberTaylor Meadows is a wonderful place to snowshoe in November.  One reason for this is fact that the two kilometre access road to the Rubble Creek trailhead is consistently covered in snow from December to April making the roundtrip hike to Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake four kilometres longer.  In November, however, you can often find this access road clear of snow and even some of the trail dry as well.  You will certainly need snowshoes in November though, certainly as you get higher up in the trail.  By the end of November the trailhead should have snow as well.  Taylor Meadows is beautiful to snowshoe and especially nice to camp out overnight in.  The brutal winter cold weather still hasn't taken hold yet, but Garibaldi Park is covered in a great blanket of snow.

Taylor Meadows Hike in Whistler November

Taylor Meadows Hike in Whistler November

Best Whistler Hiking November – Joffre Lakes

Joffre Lakes Snowshoeing Whistler NovemberJoffre Lakes Provincial Park is an absolutely stunning place to snowshoe in November.  You can drive to the partially snowplowed trailhead parking all year-round and Joffre Lakes is so popular with skiers that you can almost always rely on ski tracks in the snow to follow.  The trail is fairly well marked with tree markings but having a track in the snow to follow makes the journey much easier.  Joffre Lakes is a long, though beautiful 1.2 hour drive north of Whistler.  From the trailhead to the first of the three Joffre Lakes is just a few dozen metres so you almost immediately get some stunning views across the lake to distant mountains.  The trail then ascends a couple kilometres to the second lake which reveals even more amazing views.  The third of the Joffre Lakes is at the 5 kilometre mark and you will have gained 400 metres of elevation to get there.

Joffre Lakes Hike in Whistler November

Joffre Lakes Hike in Whistler November

Joffre Lakes Hike in Whistler November

Joffre Lakes Hike in Whistler November

Joffre Lakes Hike in Whistler November

Joffre Lakes Snowshoe Map v4

Best Whistler Hiking November – Wedgemount Lake

Snowshoeing Wedgemount Lake in NovemberWedgemount Lake is a steep and difficult hike in the summer when there is no snow.  It doesn't require technical skill, but it is just exhausting.  You gain 1220 metres of elevation in just 7 kilometres and hiking with a backpack takes about 2.5-3.5 hours to reach the lake.  In the winter, on snowshoes, the Wedgemount Lake trail is considerably harder.  In November the trail can be, first, hard to follow, despite the frequent trail markers.  Second, on snowshoes, each step on steep ground is one step forward, half a step backward.  You plod on slowly and with each step slipping back part way.  If you can get past the difficulty of the exhausting winter trek to Wedgemount Lake you will reach an amazing paradise in the mountains.  The Wedgemount Lake hut is an extraordinary oasis of warmth in the middle of the beautiful Wedgemount Lake valley...

Wedge Hut Hike in Whistler November

Wedgemount Lake Hike in Whistler November

Wedgemount Lake in Whistler November

Wedge Hut Hike in Whistler November

Wedgemount Lake Snowshoe Map v15

Best Whistler Hiking November – Whistler Parks

Whistler Parks and Lakes IconNovember is a beautiful time of year to wander from Whistler Village to one of Whistler's many parks and beachesWayside Park in Whistler is one of several idyllic parks on Alta LakeRainbow Park, Lakeside Park and Blueberry Park are also along the shore of this huge lake that cover much of the valley edged by Whistler Village.  These four parks, all on Whistler's beautiful Valley Trail system, ensure that you are never far from one of several amazing vantage points over Alta Lake.  Wayside Park sits near the bottom end of Alta Lake and at just 3 kilometres from Whistler Village is just an hours walk or 10 minute bike ride away.  The Valley Trail is a huge spider web network of paved walking/biking/running trails that connect Whistler Village to dozens of beautiful parks and sights.  Over 40 kilometres of trails throughout Whistler, with directions at every junction make the Valley Trail much more than just a transportation network.  It's an interpretive tour of the area, where you can wander on foot or by bike and use the signs at each junction to choose your route.  Wayside Park is one of several beautiful beach parks in Whistler on the Valley Trail.  You can reach all these parks by car or better yet you set out on foot or by bike from Whistler Village.

Wayside Park Map

Lost Lake Park in November

Whistler Parks and Lakes IconLost Lake is a tranquil and secluded lake in the forest that extends from Whistler Village.  Just a 20 minute, leisurely walk or 5 minute bike ride along the well signed Valley Trail will lead you to this beautiful little lake.  The wide and paved Valley Trail turns into a wide and gravel trail as you enter Lost Lake Park.  The main trail around the lake is a popular running route from Whistler Village as roundtrip from the Village, around Lost Lake and back to the Village in just 6 kilometres.  There are plenty of nice viewpoints along the main trail as well as quite a few short trails that lead to several access points to the lake, some with great places to sit and relax in the sun and take in the view.  Lost Lake has a very popular beach at one end and in the height of summer can get busy as it is the most convenient beach from Whistler Village.  Lost Lake Park is a pay-use park when the snow falls deep enough to snowshoe and cross country ski.  Often then happens at some point in November.

Lost Lake Park Hike in Whistler November

Lost Lake Park v5a

Beautiful Blueberry Park in November

Whistler Parks and Lakes IconBlueberry Park is a very scenic and somewhat hidden park on Alta Lake just two kilometres from Whistler Village.  If you have been to Rainbow Park you would have noticed three piers across Alta Lake surrounded by forest.  These public piers sit at the edge of Blueberry Park, with the Blueberry Trail running from one side of the forest to the other.  The park covers most of the hill beyond these piers and stretches between and connects the neighbourhoods of Whistler Cay and Alta Vista.  The beautiful, deep forest trail runs from the shores of Alta Lake in Alta Vista, up and across Blueberry Hill and descends again to reach Whistler Cay.  Along the trail there are several beautiful viewpoints of Alta Lake in the foreground and the enormous Mount Sproatt beyond.

Snowshoeing Blueberry Second Pier

Blueberry Park Map v8

Lakeside Park and Alpha Lake Park

Whistler Parks and Lakes IconLakeside Park at Alta Lake in Whistler is a pretty beach park just a short distance from Whistler Village.  Located on the Valley Trail, it is just 2 kilometres or a 30 minute walk, or 10 minute bike ride away.  Similar to Rainbow Park across the lake, Lakeside Park has a concession stand for food and drinks, picnic tables, BBQ stands, canoe and kayak rentals a huge grass field, pier, a sandy beach and an elaborate little kids play are.  Swimming and relaxing are the main draws to Lakeside Park, but fishing off the piers is a common sight as well. Alpha Lake Park is a nice park on the shores of Alpha Lake in Creekside, just 5 kilometres south of Whistler Village.  Located partway along Lake Placid Road just past the Husky and Nita Lake Lodge.  This quiet residential street leads to this park that is home to tennis courts, a basketball court, beach volleyball, dog park, a kids play park, a floating dock, a pier and biking/walking/running trails everywhere you look.  Alpha Lake Park has a much more local feel to it than other Whistler parks such as the popular Rainbow ParkLakeside Park and Lost Lake Park.  The abundance of trees and the irregular shoreline make the relatively small size of Alpha Lake seem quite a bit bigger than it is.  Trails run around both sides of Alpha Lake.  The wide and paved Valley Trail runs along the shore on the near side and a gravel trail runs along the far side.  For more walking trails, parks and beaches in Whistler click here..

Alpha Lake Park Map

Best Whistler Parks Map

Hiking in Whistler and Garibaldi Park by Month!

In the(usually) deep March snow of Whistler you have an amazing array of snowshoeing options.  If you have not been to the Whistler Train Wreck, you have ...
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April in Whistler is a wonderful time of year.  The winter deep freeze ends and T-shirt weather erupts.  The village comes alive with overflowing patios and ...
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May is an extraordinarily beautiful time of year in Whistler.  The days are longer and warmer and a great lull in between seasons happens.  Whistler is fairly ...
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June is a pretty amazing month to hike in Whistler and Garibaldi Park.  The average low and high temperatures in Whistler range from 9c to 21c(48f/70f).  ...
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West Coast Trail Best Sights

Whistler Hiking Glossary A to Z

Ablation Zone: the lower altitude region of a glacier where there is a net loss of ice mass due to melting, sublimation, evaporation, ice calving or ...
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The Rubble Creek trailhead is the main access point for many of the best hikes and sights in Garibaldi Provincial Park.  Rubble Creek is located midway ...
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Every unusual phenomenon in the forest seems to have a name, but one natural work of art seems to be without a commonly used name.  Big trees with ...
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Adjacent to the huge Caterpillar tractor in Parkhurst is a large disintegrating wooden dock that is a great place to take in the wonderful view of Green ...
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The Coast Mountains run from the Yukon down to Vancouver along the west coast of British Columbia in a band that averages 300 kilometres wide(190 miles).  ...
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Fitzsimmons Creek is the beautiful and huge creek that crashes through Whistler Village.  When walking from Whistler Village to the Upper Village, you will cross ...
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The Cordilleran Ice Sheet covered most of north-west North America for much of the last 2.6 million years.  At the Last Glacial Maximum during the Last ...
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Green Lake is the marvellously vivid, green coloured lake just north of Whistler Village.  Driving north on the Sea to Sky Highway, Green Lake appears ...
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Whistler Hiking Trails

Hiking in Whistler is spectacular and wonderfully varied. Looking at a map of Whistler you see an extraordinary spider web of hiking trails that are unbelievably numerous. Easy trails, moderate trails and challenging hiking trails are all available. Another marvellous ...
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Squamish Hiking Trails

Squamish is located in the midst of a staggering array of amazing hiking trails. Garibaldi Provincial Park sprawls alongside Squamish and up and beyond Whistler. Tantalus Provincial Park lays across the valley to the west and the wonderfully remote Callaghan Valley ...
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Vancouver Hiking Trails

Vancouver is surrounded by seemingly endless hiking trails and mountains to explore.  Massive parks line up one after another.  Mount Seymour Provincial Park, Lynn Canyon Park, Grouse Mountain, Cypress Park and the enormous Garibaldi Park all contribute to Vancouver ...
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Clayoquot Hiking Trails

Clayoquot Sound has a staggering array of hiking trails within it.  Between Tofino and Ucluelet, Pacific Rim Park has several wilderness and beach trails, each one radically different from the last.  The islands in the area are often Provincial parks on their own with ...
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Victoria Hiking Trails

Victoria has a seemingly endless number of amazing hiking trails.  Most take you to wild and beautiful Pacific Ocean views and others take you to tranquil lakes in beautiful BC Coastal Rainforest wilderness.  Regional Parks and Provincial Parks are everywhere you turn in ...
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The West Coast Trail

The West Coast Trail was created after decades of brutal and costly shipwrecks occurred along the West Coast of Vancouver Island.  One shipwreck in particular was so horrific, tragic and unbelievable that it forced the creation of a trail along the coast, which ...
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