Tenquille Lake - Branch 12 Hike near PEMBERTON, BC
Expansive alpine meadows, old growth forest, stunning views of the Pemberton Valley and the crystal clear, sub-alpine Tenquille Lake.
The Tenquille Lake - Branch 12 Trail is 12km out and back to the hut at the west end of the lake.
There is an additional trail around the lake if you're looking to add an extra 2.6 km lake loop onto your hike.
Overall, this is an moderate trail.
It is relatively easy going for most of the trail, but there are some steeper sections.
It is an approximately 5-7 hour round trip from the trail head to the hut on the west side of the lake.
Tack on some extra time if you plan to hang out and soak up the views or do the 2.6 km loop around the lake.
The overall elevation change (from lowest point to highest point) is approximately 450 m
The elevation gain (one way) (the cumulative ups and downs over the course of the trail) is approximately 640 m
The maximum slope you will encounter is approximately 52%.
The average slope is about 15%.
The high point is 1700 m.
This trail is typically accessible from July to September.
Dogs
- are permitted on leash.
Backcountry Camping
- Is permitted Tenquille Lake. There is a cabin at the west end of the lake as well as several small wilderness campsites. For more details about the cabin facilities, click here.
Topographical Map
- Birkenhead Lake 92J/10
Trail Head Coordinates
- UTM NAD83 Z10 : 499995E / 5598561N
Tenquille Lake - Branch 12 Trail
This crystal clear sub-alpine lake can be accessed by a number of hiking trails. The easier option (and the one highlighted here) is the Branch 12 Trail. This trail is rolling and relatively gentle for the most part, but there are some steeper sections.
While the hike in from this location is the easier option, the access is a bit arduous and requires a 4x4 vehicle with good clearance. For more details see the Directions Tab next to this one.
This 12 km out and back trail takes about 5-7 hours return and has an elevation change of about 450m. The high point is 1700m which is just before you descend to the shores of crystal clear, sub-alpine Tenquille Lake.
Alpine meadows
What you can expect on the trail
This is a somewhat gentle trail with a rolling grade. However, there are some steeper and rockier sections. You can expect some muddy sections when conditions are wet.
Highlights you’ll remember
Tenquille Lake (with Sun God mountain in the distance)
Alpine meadows
Spectacular views of the Pemberton Valley
Views of Copper Dome, Goat Peak and Sun God mountains
Tenquille Lake and Sun God Mountain
Camping
There is a cabin at the west end of Tenquille Lake.
There are also several wilderness camping sites at the lake along with pit toilets and food caches.
The cabin is provided as a public service for back country campers. It belongs to the Provincial government, but is maintained and managed by volunteers from the Pemberton Wildlife Association (PWA). Find out more about the Tenquille Lake cabin rules.
cabin at Tenquille Lake
Directions to Tenquille Lake (Branch 12) Trailhead
You will need a 4x4 vehicle with good clearance to make it to this trailhead.
It takes approximately 1.5 hours to get to the trailhead from Pemberton.
The Directions (from Pemberton)
- From Pemberton: follow the Pemberton Meadows Road down the Pemberton Valley for about 24 km.
- Turn RIGHT onto Lillooet River Forest Service Road
- This road has the kilometers marked in square yellow signs.
- Just past the 1 km sign you'll cross a bridge
- Stay LEFT after crossing the bridge
- You will be on gravel from this point on.
- Just past the 8 km sign on the Lillooet FSR you will cross a bridge and come to a fork.
- Stay RIGHT at the fork and head up the Hurley River Forest Service Road. This road is pretty high grade but has some zippy switchbacks and some loose gravel. You may need to engage 4x4 at this point.
- The Hurley FSR has it's own kilometer markers, so you're starting at 0 km again at the fork.
- Just past the 10 km sign on the Hurley FSR you will cross a bridge.
- About 500 m past the bridge a small road branches to the right.
- There should be a sign that reads: Hurley River Tenquille Branch Forest Service Road. A sub sign reads Branch 12 Trail
- Turn RIGHT onto this road.
- Note: The culverts have all been removed from this road so you can expect 48 water bars beyond this point. 4x4 with GOOD CLEARANCE is pretty much essential.
- Drive for about another 5.5 km to the trailhead.
The Turnoff
Sign at approx. 10.5 km on the Hurley FSR. Turn RIGHT here to get to the Tenquille Lake Branch 12 trailhead.
The Parking
Parking at Tenquille Lake (Branch 12) Trail Head
The Trailhead
Tenquille Lake (Branch 12) Trail Head
The Google Directions Map
Click image to get Google Directions Map
Driving Directions to Tenquille Lake Branch 12 Trailhead
Tenquille Lake (Branch 12) Trail on Google Maps
Click map below to see the trail on Google Maps
More from Outdoor Therapy
The Complete Guide to Hiking Mount Gardner on Bowen Island, BC
Need more inspiration? Check out some of our latest...
Tenquille Lake (Branch 12 Trail) – Pemberton, BC
This moderately difficult, 12 km (return) hike takes 5-7 hours. Expect to be dazzled by expansive alpine meadows, stunning views of the Pemberton Valley and the crystal clear, sub-alpine Tenquille Lake.
Read More
Killarney Lake Hike on Bowen Island
This easy, scenic 7.5-9km (return) hike from the ferry in Snug Cove takes about 2-3 hours and has minimal elevation gain. It is accessible year round.
Read More
Joffre Lakes hike near Pemberton, BC
This moderately difficult, 9.4 km hike takes 4-6 hours and offers stunning views of the turquoise-blue Joffre Lakes, the Matier glacier, and surrounding mountains.
Read More
Sea to Sky Trail – Brandywine Falls to Whistler Bungee Bridge
This easy, scenic, 5.4 km return trail is open to bikers and hikers. Expect a packed gravel surface and mostly gentle grades with the occasional steeper switchback.
Read More
Garibaldi Lake Hike near Whistler, BC
This moderately difficult, 18 km return hike takes 5-6 hours. Garibaldi lake is a show-stopper turquoise lake ringed by showy glaciers, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains.
Read More
Mount Gardner Hike on Bowen Island
This moderately difficult, 8.3 km (return) hike takes 4-5 hours. Expansive views of the Sunshine Coast, downtown Vancouver, UBC, Mt. Baker, Howe Sound.
Read More
Crooked Falls Hike near Squamish, BC
This moderately difficult, 6.4 km hike is the perfect short yet challenging adventure. You’ll experience stunning views of the Squamish River Valley and of the spectacular Crooked Falls.
Read More
Sea to Summit Trail near Squamish, BC
This steep and challenging 7.5 km (one way) hike brings you to the stunning views at the top of the Sea-to-Sky Gondola. Give your knees a break and take the gondola down.
Read More
At Outdoor Therapy, we aim to be a source of inspiration, information and motivation for people who want to improve their lives by playing outside.
Join the Community!
Disclaimer: All information presented on this website is for informational purposes only. Outdoor Therapy does not bear any liability for the information presented here. All outdoor activities involve a certain element of risk and weather, and other forces may change trail routing and/or other conditions. The information presented here is meant to serve as a guide only. It is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the user of this information to determine which activities are appropriate to her skills and fitness levels and it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the user to be aware of changes and hazards that may have occurred since the posting of the material.