Elfin Lakes: Trekking in the Snow

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If you've been following along with our road trip adventures, you'll know that when we're not road tripping long hauls, we spend a lot of time exploring our own province of British Columbia. The sheer beauty of our province keeps drawing us out of our homes, and onto local adventures. 

We have hiked Elfin Lakes several times now, twice during the summer months, and twice in the snow. I must say, I prefer the trail with a bit of snow on it. Early June is a great time to go. Many of the trails around the Whistler and Vancouver region get quite busy in summer months. Early to mid-June, there is still a small amount of snow on the upper trail, and there is next to no one up there. The beauty of the mountain ranges surrounding the Elfin Lakes trail is stunning, and well worth a trip.

Trail information:

Located just north of Vancouver, this all day hike has a 600 meter elevation gain, is considered an intermediate hike, and generally takes around 6 hours to complete. The trail head is really easy to find, with ample parking during non-peak summer weekends. During the summer months, Elfin Lakes is a popular place for people to hike, and camp at the lakes over night. 

I personally love Vancouver Trails for all the local trail information.  

I have a step tracker on my phone, and after completing this hike, we hit just over 35,000 steps. So be prepared to have amazing views, but sore feet after your hike. 

Both times that we have hiked Elfin Lakes in snow, we did not have crampons, just hiking poles, and this was doable with just the poles.

About the lakes:

Elfin Lakes has two lakes at the second cabin, which is technically the end of the hiking trail. They are labeled, one for refilling drinking water if needed, and one for swimming if desired. While I wouldn't recommend drinking the lake water unless you seriously need it, or have cleaning tablets to add to your water. Even through this is glacier water, we have seen many people swimming in both lakes during the summer months. 






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