A stunning body of water located just outside of Metro Vancouver offers some of the clearest, aquamarine waters in B.C.
Lindeman Lake is located in the S⨱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, which is roughly "150 km east of Vancouver in the upper Chilliwack River Valley," according to BC Parks.
Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks and lush forests, visitors enjoy stunning views of the sparkling blue-green water along a hike through the park. The 3.4-km hike to the glacial lake is considered "intermediate" and takes a couple of hours to complete, with a 300-metre elevation gain. It is also dog-friendly and is generally safe to do from May to September, according to Vancouver Trails.
While you can swim in Lindeman Lake, it is quite cold year-round, even in the summer, although many people enjoy stand-up paddle boarding on it. It is also considered a peaceful, secluded reprieve from the action-packed Cultus Lake nearby.
Visitors to the park can also enjoy a variety of water activities in the park's body of water, Chilliwack Lake, including swimming, motorboating, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing. However, the waters are also colder.
BC Parks cautions that "severe afternoon winds occur frequently on the lake and dangerous currents exist at the outflow of Chilliwack Lake. Avoid boating and rafting in this area and plan your trip accordingly."
Since cold water drains body heat up to four times faster than cold air, people should exercise extreme caution when easing into these lakes.
"The sudden gasp and rapid breathing alone creates a greater risk of drowning even for confident swimmers in calm waters," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
