Overview:
While Blanca Lake has a well-defined trail, the length of approach time on logging roads has resulted in this hike being significantly less travelled than comparable alpine lake hikes near Vancouver, British Columbia. Once at Blanca Lake, there is an abundance nearby lakes to camp at, ensuring that even on the busiest of summer weekends you will likely have a lake to yourself on either a day hike or overnight stay.
Summary of Route:
- Type: Out and back, alpine lake camping
- Rating: 4/5
- Season: Summer
- Length: 4.5km one way to Blanca Lake (41.6km driven on logging roads)
- Duration: 1 night
- Difficulty: Moderate
Access:
Access is easy and begins just past Squamish with a left turn (if you’re coming from Vancouver) at Squamish Valley Road. Continue along Squamish Valley Road, making sure you bear left as you cross Checkamus River. The gravel Forest Service Road begins at 49.90280, -123.29324, coordinates you can punch into Google maps for ease. Continue along Squamish Valley Road until you reach 50.11349, -123.38584. Take a left turn over the obvious bridge, departing Squamish Valley Road and entering onto Elaho Main Line. Continue on Elaho Main Line until 50.12434, -123.45292 (approximately 6.5km after turning onto Elaho Main Line). Take a right turn onto FSR E300. Up until FSR E300, the roads you will be travelling are suitable for almost all vehicles (although stock 4x4 or a cross over with all terrain tires would be ideal for Elaho Main Line). FSR E300 steadily becomes increasing poor in condition, with the final approach to the trailhead having relatively large water bars. A stock 4x4 will be sufficient to reach the trailhead or within several hundred meters thereof. FSR E300 will take you to the trailhead at 50.15554, -123.45515.
Should you not have GAIA or a hard copy map of the logging roads in this area, FSR E300 may be somewhat difficult to navigate. For the most part, stay on the obvious road and you will be continuing on FSR E300. Alternatively, you can attempt to follow the following: bear right at all turns on FSR E300 until 50.13093, -123.43713, whereupon you will bear northwest (left). Continue along until you reach coordinates 50.14132, -123.45306 at a 4-way intersection. Bear left (north) and continue on a north bearing until you reach the trailhead coordinates.
Due to the duration of time spent driving logging roads, completing an early morning drive and camping at Blanca Lake, or completing the drive after work and car camping just past the trailhead at 50.15008, -123.44929 is recommended.
The Hike:
The hike to Blanca Lake is relatively easy with a total distance of approximately 4.5km, climbing approximately 550m over that distance. Most of this elevation gain is completed within the first 1/3 of the hike as you almost immediately begin to climb through switchbacks. Fortunately, this portion ends relatively quickly and the hike begins to open up into sub-alpine meadows.
As you proceed through these meadows, you will shortly see the saddle that you are aiming for to gain access to Blanca Lake. This section is not particularly well marked; however, the path is clear and easy to follow with little elevation gain.
Passing through these meadows you will begin your final climb towards the saddle. Elevation gained for this final climb is approximately 200m.
Once over the saddle, views quickly open up and you have your selection of alpine lakes to choose from. Throughout this area there is evidence of past dispersed camping sites and it is encouraged that you continue to use prior sites. West of Blanca Lake lay a handful of tairns; however, the best lakes are in the immediate vicinity of Blanca Lake. Nearby peaks offer relatively easy scrambles although route finding is necessary.
