Logger’s Lake/Volcano

Logger’s Lake/Volcano

Logger’s Lake is a popular recreational destination occupying what appears to be the crater of a small volcano. Lava flowing from this volcano also formed the nearby lava escarpment known as Vulcan’s Scrapyard.

Because the area is heavily glaciated and the lake has no discernable outlet, another possible origin scenario is that it’s a kettle lake formed by the melting of a trapped chunk of remnant glacial ice. Indeed, the lake is surrounded by curved columnar jointed basalt ice-contact features, glacial polished column-tops, and examples of the isolated boulders known as glacial erratics. The lake-encircling Crater Rim Trail delivers views and high biodiversity values as it winds through intact old-growth forest.

Protection and guardianship are at the heart of the Geopark philosophy. We ask that you treat the land with the same reverence as its original inhabitants, and not remove anything from a site but what you’ve brought to help preserve it for future generations.

  • crazy-angled columnar jointing
  • the scenic Crater Rim Trail
  • swimming hole deluxe

GEOLOGIC CONTEXT:

A lake occupying the likely crater of a small volcano that was heavily glaciated after it erupted.

HOW TO SEE IT:

VISITOR INFORMATION

Logger’s Lake is located on the Cheakamus Lake Rd. (aka Westside Main Forest Service Rd.), just beyond the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood, 8 km south of Whistler Village. From Hwy 99, turn onto Cheakamus Lake Rd., after 450 m make a left onto Cheakamus East Forest Service Rd. and an immediate right onto the Westside Main. Drive 2.2 km on a rough, often steep road to Logger’s Lake parking area. From here it’s trail access to the lake on a medium-grade uphill of ~500 metres. Alternate access: several hiking trails from Cheakamus Crossing reach the Logger’s Lake area.

Services:

Parking, washrooms.

Hazards:

Unstable rock areas; please stay on marked trails.
MAP & LOCATION

Decimal Degrees (DD)

50.063557, -123.036979

Degrees Decimal Minutes (DDM)

50° 3.8134' N  123° 2.2187' W

Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS)

50° 3' 48.8052" N  123° 2' 13.1244" W

What Are Pillars?

The Fire & Ice Aspiring Geopark comprises four main geological pillars referenced in all interpretive material: (M)ountain Building, (G)laciation, (V)olcanism and (C)ollapse.

MOUNTAIN BUILDING

Mountain building can involve several processes that contribute to the formation of mountains, such as the collision of tectonic plates that result in folding, faulting, metamorphism and the creation of subduction zones associated with volcanic activity and igneous intrusion.

GLACIATION

Glaciation refers to landform phenomena associated with the formation, movement and recession of glaciers and ice sheets. In temperate latitudes such as British Columbia, montane glaciation at higher altitudes is the norm while continental glaciation occurred during Ice Ages like the recent Pleistocene.

VOLCANISM

Volcanism is the eruption of subterranean molten rock (magma) and gasses onto the surface of the planet and includes the production of volcanic landforms and the effects of eruptions and flowing lava on pre-existing surface formations.

COLLAPSE

Collapse is a term that refers broadly to both slow processes of destabilization and erosion by wind, water and ice, as well as rapid processes like rockfall and landslides.

Whether acting as primary or secondary forces, one or more of these processes figure in the creation of each geosite.