Lost Lake Trail is one of our favourite spots in Whistler. We snowshoed there this past winter when I was pregnant with my second, and the experience was so memorable that we had to revisit again. The snow covered trail in the winter is absolutely gorgeous and immediately took our breath away!
Since we have never seen it in the summer before, it naturally became our top hiking destination during this trip. Our two talented friends came along as well for more photo adventure along this hike.
Trail Condition
We followed this AllTrails Route, and completed the 2.7 km loop hike in about 2 hours with several stops in between. This trail is a short 10 minute walk from Whistler Village. The nature trail starts from Passivhaus, which provides bike rental in the summer and snowshoe rental in the winter. A much flatter and open Lost Lake Cross Country Ski Trail also starts here, which many mountain bikers use but is a little boring to hike on.
Nature Trail is quite narrow and you will be going over rocks and tree roots. At one point, you will be climbing up a big rock in order to continue on the trail. Thus, you can NOT use a stroller here.
This compact dirt trail first takes you in a forested area with different types of beautiful trees along the way. A small creek also runs alongside the trail.
After a short stroll, you will be crossing path with the cross country ski/mountain biking trail, follow the sign into another forested area that marks the Nature Trail. The last part of the forest trail takes you down to an opening, and you can see a bridge which has a good view of Lost Lake.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t pass the bridge, as it is closed for toad migration. And we were a little tired so we didn’t make a detour to go around the blockade.
We were so looking forward to hanging out at the small hut just after the bridge like what we did when we snowshoed there last year. Back then, there was a fireplace with several tables and chairs for snowshoers and cross country skiers to rest. Some board games were also provided in the small hut. There were no concession stands in the hut when we went there for snowshoeing, but a washroom was close by.
The Nature Trail continues by the lake for a short distance, and continues on Tin Pants Trail on our way down. Tin Pants Trail is a fairly flat and well gravelled mountain biking trail.
On our way down, the front-carrying baby carrier proved to be too difficult on my back. Dad came to the rescue and carried both kids for most of the way down.
After I recovered some strength, I also tried on the backpack carrier, which is much better for hiking.
Activities
One surprising feature of Nature Trail is that there is a virtual video guided tour in the first several hundred meters. You can see numbers marked at certain parts of the trail prompting you to start the virtual guide. The video is very educational, from teaching us to identify different types of trees to discussing birds and bears and stories of the mountains. It’ll definitely be quite interesting for older kids, and may motivate them to be more engaged in the hike. You can check out the virtual tour here.
Mountain biking is quite popular in this area. Compared with the break-neck adrenaline rush of downhill mountain biking available on the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, these family-friendly cross country bike trails are suitable for kids comfortable with mountain biking.
And for a relaxing moment after the hike, there are a few picnic tables by Passivhaus at the trail head. There is also a small cafe where you can order hot foods or ice cream. We all enjoyed that yummy chocolate hazelnut gelato and lavender lemonade after this hike! In the winter it also serves some much needed hot beverage and soup.
In the winter time, you can snowshoe along nature trail. But be aware of the low hanging snow covered branches. We had to duck away from these branches a few times, and at some parts, we had to crawl on our knees to avoid being caught by the branches. This can be difficult especially when you are also carrying a toddler on your back.
Traffic
There are not many people nor dogs on the Nature Trail. However, Tin Pants trail can be quite busy with mountain bikers. Towards the last descending part of the trail, there were so many mountain bikers that it was almost difficulty for us to come down.
Breastfeeding
There are several benches along Nature Trail; however they are placed sparsely. When I really need to breastfeed, I ended up looking for a nearby rock to sit on.
For bottle fed babies, hiking carries a different set of challenges. First is keeping the pumped milk cold during transportation (or use sealed ready-to-feed liquid formula). Then one must prepare enough clean bottles and nipples depending on the length of the hike. Amy and Aaron were very well prepared, even bringing a bottle of warm water to heat up the cold milk. Leftover formula or breastmilk should be discarded as there is no reliable way to keep it cold enough for a second feed. On the other hand, it’s easier to feed the baby without worrying so much about where to sit.
Pets
Dogs must be leashed to walk in this trail.
Washroom
There is a washroom by Passivhaus. No other washrooms are along the trail until you reach Lost Lake.
Parking
There is no parking lot nor anywhere to park your car by the trail head. It is best to walk here. You can also choose to park inside Whistler village then walk about 10-15 minutes to the trail head.
Cellphone Reception
Reception is excellent throughout the trail and by Lost Lake.
This trail is very interesting for my toddler and we will bring them back, maybe when they are older and able to appreciate the nature walk tours.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Foot Traffic: low
- Traffic from Cyclists: high on Tin Pants trail
- Facilities: Food kiosk and washroom available
- View: gorgeous
- Overall rating: 8/10