The turquoise blue waters of Joffre lake will make you think you are at Banff National park in Alberta, when in fact the it is from the lesser known but majestically beautiful Lower, Middle and Upper Joffre lakes. All three of which are located along a trail near the small town of Pemberton, British Columbia, and each more stunning than the last. Their striking, saturated blue colour is caused by “rockflour” or glacial silt, that is suspended in the water and reflects green and blue wavelengths of sunlight. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has opportunities for hiking, camping, mountaineering, wildlife viewing, and fishing.

These amazing pictures are courtesy of friends and all-around explorers Brontë Lisle and Stefan Grabowski.

Middle Joffre Lake is worth the effort. Photo S. Grabowski.

Joffre Lakes is a very popular day hike. The trailhead is about an hour from Whistler on the Duffey Lake Road.

All three Joffre lakes are glacier fed lakes. Photo S. Grabowski.

Middle Joffre Lake is a four km hike from the lower lake.

The trail becomes a rough, rocky and steep hike through the Coast Mountain range. Photo S. Grabowski.

Don’t be discouraged by the hills. With a daypack, slow and steady is the way to go.

There is a tremendous feeling of peace that comes along with the isolation, the quiet and the mountain air. Photo S. Grabowski.

The pleasurable aspects of this hike are its short duration (2.5 to 3 hours) and the option of going to the lower, middle or upper lake.

There are a few spots to sit and enjoy the sun and the view of the glacier. Photo S. Grabowski.

As you finally exit the hiking trail with all the trees, you will be treated to a stunning view of the glacier, and massive rockslides on the far side of the lake.

Slowly make your way through the roots and stones, along the trail skirting the lake, to the campsites. Photo S. Grabowski.

Evidence of the park’s glacial history can be found in the U-shaped valleys, glacial silts and lateral moraines. This magnificent area of jagged peaks, icefields, cold rushing streams and turquoise blue lakes was established as a recreation area in 1988 and became a Class A park in 1996.

There are a few spots to sit and enjoy the sun and the view of the glacier. Photo S. Grabowski.