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Favorite Hiking trails into spectacular Blowdown Pass in Beautiful Columbia
![]() A little over an hour and a half drive from Whistler there lies the makings of a fantastic backpacking adventure into Blowdown Pass. I say backpacking because even though the hike to the pass can quite readily be done in a day it would be a shame to not stay a night or more to enjoy the beauty the area has to offer. Hiking in BC just gets better.
Leave Whistler and take highway 99 north to Pemberton. Turn right at Pemberton and travel through Mount Currie. Turn right across from the church onto the Duffy Lake road. Follow the paved road and you will drive along the Lillooet Lake on your right. The road turns left up the mountain and you follow through the winding highway. Soon you will pass Joffre Lake Recreational Area, one of our favorite hiking trails, on your right. Continue on for a way and soon the view opens up to reveal a vast valley. The creeks you will cross originate from the huge hanging glacier which is very visible up to your right. Soon the beautiful, deep, cold waters of Duffy Lake glisten in the valley on your left. Pullouts allow for photo ops and the opportunity to see the lake in all it’s glory. The view here of the glacier on Joffre Peak is spectacular. The Jewel that is Duffy Lake
Once avalanche conditions are past, good Samaritans will clear the road of fallen trees and debris carried down the mountain by avalanches. Drive on this road for 10km (6 miles). Please be careful to avoid rocks you may see on the road. You want to stay to the left all the way. Finally you will come to a mound of clay. Stop here. Park in such a way that others may have room as well. This is the starting point for those driving autos and 2 wheel drive trucks and vans. This is the trail we selected as one of our favorite hiking trails. Hiking trail maps are not available for the trail. Best to print this out and take it with you. From the roadside on the drive in.
It is possible for 4X4 vehicles to continue on however, be warned, this road is an old mining road leading into the Stein valley. It is not maintained and spring washouts are possible as well as fallen trees, rocks and landslides. No vehicles is why we class this as one of our favorite hiking trails. From here the road begins an uphill climb with twists and turns through hardwood forests for about an hour along our favorite hiking trails. Eventually you will notice the trees get smaller and the space more open. You are reaching the tree line where trees cease to grow due to the harsher weather and thinner atmosphere at this altitude. Finally, on a left turn in the trail you will notice an off road trail going straight ahead. Take that trail. It’s not sign posted because this area is not a parkland. If you miss this little trail don’t worry. Just continue along the road and after about 20 minutes you will see the lake down below you. The decent is steep. Hiking backpacking trails can be tough sometimes. Soon you will see ahead to the right a huge rock faced mountain with a pristine lake at it’s base. This part of the hike takes about 20 minutes. Finally you arrive at the lake. The camping is where you see it. A nice flat, grassy area presents itself on the lakeside for your tent. Click here for our suggestions for choosing a tent . There are a few fire pits available. The toilet is the great outdoors but be discreet and move well back in the trees. The Lake from high above.
Once, while here we went down the road a little and cut right over to a small creek we could see from the pass. We wanted to make a cup of tea. While waiting for the water to boil we were getting a kick out of the many marmots we could see and hear as they fed on the green shoots popping up after lying dormant all winter. Suddenly a roar that sounded exactly like a fighter jet resounded past us. We didn’t know what it was but quickly realized it was a golden eagle and it had a marmot in sight for its next meal. It landed behind a clump of trees apparently grabbed a marmot with its talons. The screaming was amazing. I ran the 200 feet or so to the edge of the growth but as I reached the trees the eagle dropped the meal and flew away. No sign of the marmot existed, however the ground was pockmarked with den holes. That was one lucky little marmot. Fact. The whistle the marmot emits is their method of communicating. Certain whistles spell danger or enemy and all the marmots dive for safety to their dens. That whistle is where Whistler got it’s name. Isn't hiking in BC fantastic.
For the next half hour we had ourselves a real house pet. We couldn’t believe it. It fed on the rich green grasses, nibbled on everything that grew and hardly wandered any more than 75 feet of our camp at any time. It was such a beautiful moment we will carry it to our graves. Our house/camp pet
Firewood is a little scarce at Blowdown but head over to the woods and lots of old dried out blown down trees are to be found. Be sure to clean up the camp before you leave as this is not a supervised camp. This way everyone who comes to this little part of heaven will list it among their favorite hiking trails as well. Our wish is that you enjoy all of the trails within the Whistler corridor, as we did. Now you know why Blowdown Pass is number one on the list of our favorite hiking trails. Check here to view more wonderful Whistler Day Trips Joffre Lake. A tough 4 hour hike to a beautiful glacier and emerald green lakes. Crater Rim Trail. Walk in an ancient volcanic crater. Shadow Lake Trail. Only a few minutes from Whistler. Cheakamus Lake Trail. Scenic walk to a beautiful lake. Brandywine Falls. Gorgeous waterfall, lakes and river easy hike. Whistler Hiking Guide. Explore the many fabulous hiking trails on your doorstep. Elfin Lakes. One of the worlds most beautiful hiking areas. Garibaldi Lake. Wonderful hike to breathtaking beauty. Black Tusk. Five smashing hikes for backpackers. Brohm Lake Forest Interpretive Forest. More wonderful hikes near whistler.
![]() Return from Favorite Hiking trails to Whistler Outdoors
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