The best walks and hikes in Nlhaxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy

The Marriott Basin Trail traverses a beautiful and wild area near Pemberton, BC, ending at the Wendy Thompson Memorial Hut. Along the way you'll pass by Lower Marriott Lake, through verdant forests, and wildflower strewn meadows.

The Wendy Thompson Hut is a remote, reservation only backcountry hut set near Lower Lake Marriott. The approach is generally easy to moderate, but weather conditions can quickly change, especially in winter, making it much more difficult to reach. To make a reservation see here: https://accwhistler.ca/WendyThompson.html

Tucked into the alpine bowl of the Cayoosh Range, Lower Marriott Lake glows with glacier-melt clarity beneath rugged ridges and scree slopes. With striking scenery and alpine calm, Lower Marriott Lake rewards those willing to tackle the trail on the way to its shoreline.

Between Lower and Middle Joffre Lake lies a large clearing at approximately 1,300 meters in elevation. Looking north, the Cayoosh Range rises above the pass between the Joffre Creek and Cayoosh Creek valleys. To the south, the rock formation on the ridge of Joffre Peak is visible. (Visit May 28, 2025)

Access to the Joffre Lakes Trail is located at the top of a pass. Joffre Creek drains west into the Lillooet River, while Cayoosh Creek flows east and empties into Duffey Lake, which drains into the Fraser River. During the summer months, you must register for the Joffre Lakes Trail free of charge – for information, see the following website: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/day-use-passes/#joffre-lakes Registration is required to ensure a manageable number of hikers in the park – a maximum of 500 people per day. The trail leads to the park's three lakes: Lower Lake, Middle Lake, and Upper Lake. The Lower Joffre Lake is just a few hundred meters from the parking lot. Joffre Lakes Park is known for its turquoise lakes and panoramic views of snow-capped peaks; the base of the Matier Glacier is visible. Below the Upper Joffre Lake, Holloway Falls plunge into the depths. The trail ends at Upper Joffre Lake, but it is possible to continue along the western shore to the Joffre Lakes Backcountry Campground and further to the southern end of the lake, where rushing streams carry the waters of the Matier Glacier. (Visit May 28, 2025)

Lower Joffre Lake is part of the Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. Access to the Lake is via the Duffey Lake Road, BC Highway 99. The car park is located at the mountain pass (approx. 1,300 m) between the valleys of Cayoosh Creek and Joffre Creek. Joffre Lakes Park is a protected area, class A park, since 1996. Class A parks are dedicated to the preservation of their natural environments and are open to the public. (Visit June 4, 2018 & May 28, 2025) https://bcparks.ca/joffre-lakes-park/

So beautiful there Canada, unforgettable!!!!!!!

The distinctive turquoise color of Lower Joffre Lake is due to the presence of finely ground rock particles, known as glacial flour, which are carried by glacier meltwater. These particles refract light in a way that gives water its bright, unique color.