Watersprite Lake
An emerald glacial lake cradled by mountain peaks. The round trip is about 18 kilometers, and in recent years it has become a popular alpine hiking destination on social media.
Watersprite Lake lies deep in the Mamquam Valley, southeast of Squamish. It is maintained by the British Columbia Mountaineering Club (BCMC). On clear days, the lake water is jade-green, surrounded by steep granite peaks and boulder slopes. To reach the trailhead, drive about 15 kilometers along a forest road, which requires a high-clearance vehicle. The round-trip hike is about 18 kilometers with roughly 800 meters of elevation gain, taking 6 to 8 hours. The final section crosses large loose boulders. A cabin by the lake can be booked. Note: forest road conditions vary and become muddy after rain. Summer weekends are busy, so start very early. There is no cell signal, so bring offline maps.
Opening hours
All day (best July–September)
Nearby sights
- Elfin Lakes
- Alice Lake Provincial Park
- Smoke Bluffs Park
- Stawamus Chief
- Downtown Squamish (Cleveland Avenue)
- Brohm Lake
- West Coast Railway Heritage Park
- Sea to Sky Gondola