Semaphore Lakes Backpacking Guide Near Whistler
Not many backpacking trips near Whistler let you show up without a reservation, pay nothing to camp and still wake up to glacier views, but Semaphore Lakes does all three! Whether it’s your first backpacking trip in BC or you’re a seasoned hiker, this accessible alpine trail is well worth it.
Close enough for a weekend backpacking trip from Vancouver and just a short drive from Whistler, it offers amazing alpine scenery in a short distance. And with no reservations required and no camping fees, it’s one of the best last-minute backpacking trips in the Sea to Sky region.
Semaphore Lakes Trail Stats
How to Get to the Semaphore Lakes Trailhead
The Semaphore Lakes trailhead is located on Hurley River Forest Service Road about 1 hour north of Pemberton. The road is generally easy to follow and accessible by most vehicles. You can drive Hurley FSR without 4×4, although a high clearance vehicle is recommended.
I recommend downloading offline maps before your trip, as once you cross the bridge on Lillooet Forest Service Road, cell phone signal gets spotty.
There is a small parking area at the trailhead, which is located on your left as you drive in, just before Railroad Pass. But, roadside parking is possible as well. Just be mindful of other vehicles and avoid blocking the road.
To get to Semaphore Lakes from Vancouver it takes around 3 hours.
Best Time to Visit Semaphore Lakes
The best time to visit Semaphore Lakes is in summer between July and September. That’s when the forest service road is open and snow-free.
If you have backcountry experience, Semaphore Lakes is also a great snowshoeing trip in winter. But keep in mind that Hurley FSR is closed in winter due to snow.
Good to Know about Semaphore Lakes Hike
- Hiking to Semaphore Lakes is great for beginner backpackers. The elevation gain is moderate and the length is relatively short.
- There is no public transportation to the trailhead, which is about 3 hours from Vancouver and about 1 hour from Pemberton.
- All campsites at the three Semaphore Lakes are first-come, first-served and no reservations are required. Bonus point, there are no camping fees.
- Pack a water filter, since even the clearest alpine water can carry bacteria and parasites.
- Campfires are not permitted in the backcountry. Please respect the rules.
- In summer, bugs are relentless. Sometimes bug spray doesn’t really help, so having a head net is worth packing.
- Leave no trace and pack out all the garbage with you.
Best Campsite at Semaphore Lakes
Semaphore Lakes camping is free and no reservations are required. Spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and there are 3 designated areas around the three Semaphore Lakes.
First Lake is the first campsite you’ll reach on the Semaphore Lakes trail. This is a good option if you arrive late or prefer a quieter spot.
Second Lake is considered by many as the best Semaphore Lakes campground. It is on the trail past First Lake and offers amazing views of the surrounding peaks.
Third Lake is the most popular campsite at Semaphore Lakes. In my opinion, it’s the one with the best views of Locomotive Mountain and Train Glacier waterfall. Also, the lake itself has vibrant turquoise colours and great reflections at sunrise.
At each of the three campsites, you can find an outhouse and bear caches to store your food. Make sure you pack all the garbage on your way out and be bear aware as wildlife is present in the area.
The Railroad-Themed Naming History of the Area
Once you start researching some of the names in the area, you’ll notice that almost everything has a railroad theme.
This area was once marked as a potential railroad route between Pemberton and Lillooet, a line which was eventually built through D’Arcy instead. In the 1970s, mountaineers honoured that history by naming the surrounding peaks after railroad items: Locomotive Mountain, Caboose Peak, Tender Mountain and the Train Glacier.
Even the lakes themselves take their name from the railway semaphore signals once used to direct train drivers along the line.
Step-by-step Hiking Guide
From the trailhead along Hurley road, follow the markers to the meadows.
This first section of the trail may occasionally have mud puddles but I found it easy to get around. So, gaiters are not required, contrary to Juan de Fuca trail on Vancouver Island. I would still wear waterproof boots just in case.
After you cross Railroad Creek, about 2 km from the trailhead, trees will become sparse and the surrounding peaks will come into full view.
Once you reach the junction, I recommend staying on the right to get to the first lake.
First Lake
The views from First Lake are very nice and you can already spot Locomotive Mountain in the background.
There are camping areas around the lake and it’s a great spot to stop for the night if you started the Semaphore Lakes hike late or just want to avoid the crowds.
Second Lake
Continue along the path that hugs the lake to reach the middle lake, or Second Lake.
This is the second most popular camping spot on the Semaphore Lakes trail and you’ll find an outhouse and bear cache to store your food.
Third Lake
Since the hike in was short and manageable, we continued all the way to the third lake to set up camp. Finding a spot was harder than we expected, but we managed to secure one right on the water’s edge.
From the Third Lake you can clearly see Locomotive mountain and Train Glacier waterfall. It’s in my opinion the best lake in terms of colours and scenic views.
If you’re brave enough you can even take a swim in Semaphore Lakes but water is ice cold.
We used Third Lake as our base to hike to Locomotive Mountains the same day, but if you prefer you can keep it for the next day.
Day Hike to Locomotive Mountain
From Third Lake continue west toward the rocky wall.
Different to other trails, the ascent to Locomotive Mountain requires good navigation around boulder and loose scree. In fact, don’t expect to find markers. Route-finding can be misleading and we were only able to locate the starting point because of some other hikers coming down.
The main difficulty of the Locomotive mountain hike is finding and following the path. After that it’s not technically difficult. You might find hiking poles useful at points to get better traction in loose and rocky sections.
From the top of Locomotive Mountain you’ll enjoy the amazing views of Train Glacier and the Pemberton Meadows below.
More Hikes near Whistler
- Joffre Lakes near Pemberton
- Russet Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park
- Wedgemount Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park
