Paddle Duffey Lake

Duffey Lake sits just under Cayoosh Pass on the Duffey Lake Road (HWY 99), one of the most scenic drives in southwestern BC. Leaving from Pemberton, you'll climb just under 4000ft up to the lake, which is nestled between big, steep mountains, with the impressive Joffre group at the southwestern end.

To reach the lake, take HWY 99 north from Pemberton, and turn right towards Lillooet in the village of Mt Currie. There is a beautiful view of Lillooet Lake just before the long series of switchbacks up to Cayoosh Pass.

The thing that makes this adventure so memorable is the ability to be a tiny part of this giant landscape. The water is a sparkly deep turquoise, set against the rich green of old growth forest as far as the eye can see. The hanging glaciers of Mt Joffre top off all of this awesomeness...icing on the cake.

As if the scenery wasn't enough, there's a good chance you'll be the only people on the lake, which is an amazing experience in itself. Birds, beavers, and fish appear every once in a while as you paddle along past the steep avalanche chutes and rugged terrain.

Autumn is a great time to go, as the aspens will be bright yellow, and the water level of the lake will be low enough to stop at the exposed rocky beaches along the way.

Duffey Lake tends to be quite windy, so for anyone heading out with a canoe, early morning or a very calm day would be your best bets. There is a small parking area at the far east end of the lake where you can leave your vehicle. Most people just stop for a quick photo here and carry on.

If you're looking for an adventure that is very unique, and are happy paddling in remote areas, take the time to head up to Duffey Lake for the day; it is truly unforgettable. This is one of the gems of southwestern British Columbia.