Madeley Lake                                                      Hiking and Camping in Whistler

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Madeley Lake(mis-labelled "Powell Lake" on Google Maps) is a well hidden, though easily drivable lake in the beautiful Callaghan Valley.  Unlike the terrible gravel road (4x4 recommended) to Callaghan Lake, the relatively smooth gravel road to Madeley Lake is drivable by car (relatively easily and safely).  Just a 10 minute drive from the main, paved road to Whistler Olympic Park, Madeley makes a great side-trip on the way to or from the very popular 2010 Olympic attraction.

Just metres past the turnoff to Alexander Falls, turn left at the sign for Callaghan Lake Provincial Park.  Cross the bridge and follow the terrible logging road for about three minutes, turn right at the first logging road that branches off to the right.  Follow this logging road for about 10 minutes until Madeley Lake appears on your right.  There is a large map board at the trailhead to Hanging Lake, Rainbow Lake and Sproatt Mountain.  You can park here or continue past this and drive to the end of the lake and small campsite area.  This is an unmaintained area and there are no facilities.

This is an amazing place to camp.  If looking for solitude at a paradise, mountain lake, Madeley Lake is hard to beat.  Though somewhat popular with fishing, you are still likely to rarely see anyone at the lake in the summer and never in the fall.  Once in a while you will see a car or two at the trailhead to Hanging Lake.  If you have a canoe, Madeley is a great place to paddle around.

Hanging Lake Near Rainbow Lake is Camping, Fishing and Dog Friendly

Hanging Lake is located just before Rainbow Lake.  Though ugly in comparison to Rainbow Lake, Hanging Lake has a nice camping area and is dog friendly and swimming friendly.  Rainbow Lake is the source of Whistler's drinking water and camping, dogs, swimming and fishing are prohibited.  Though all of these prohibitions are unfortunately, routinely flouted at Rainbow Lake, Hanging Lake is a good alternative.  The dividing line for dogs allowed and not allowed runs between Rainbow Lake and Hanging Lake and is marked with a huge sign.

The trail from Madeley Lake to Hanging Lake is nice, however at times muddy.  Free of snow only from late July to early November most years, this trail is a great way to avoid the much busier Rainbow Lake trail that starts from the Whistler side of this area.

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Directions to Madeley Lake Trailhead to Hanging Lake:

From Whistler drive 20km towards Vancouver on the Sea to Sky highway, then turn right at the sign for Whistler Olympic Park. Drive up the beautiful, winding road for about 8 minutes. The sign for Callaghan Lake will be just before Whistler Olympic Park, you will turn left, cross a bridge and after a couple hundred metres turn right onto another logging road.  Follow this for 5k until you come to Madeley Lake and a large info board and signs directing you to Hanging Lake and Rainbow Lake. There is lots of parking here.

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