Lucille Lake stays quiet because it's a little hard to find. That's the charm, and also the trap: every summer, people end up wandering the forest or swimming at the wrong lake. A bit of preparation fixes all of it.
Before you leave home
- Download an offline map. Don't count on cell service at the parking or the water. Save the area in Google Maps, Gaia, Trailforks or whatever you use.
- Find the lake on the map first. Look at where Lucille sits relative to the Chance Creek road and to neighbouring Shadow Lake, so you know which way you should be heading.
- Tell someone where you're going. It's a short walk, but it's an unsigned one.
The drive
Head north from Squamish on Highway 99, past the Brohm Lake parking. The parking pull-out is at the start of the Chance Creek forest service road, just off the highway.
- The spur is rough, loose and narrow in places. A vehicle with some ground clearance is the comfortable choice; low cars should go slowly and carefully.
- On hot weekends it fills with locals. Arrive early or come midweek.
- Park so you're not blocking the road, and take care pulling on and off the highway.
The walk
From the parking it's roughly fifteen minutes on foot to the lake, with minimal elevation gain. The path isn't signed and isn't obvious, which is exactly why Lucille stays quiet.
- Keep an eye on your offline map as you go, especially at junctions.
- Watch the time. Fifteen minutes is your benchmark.
- Once you reach the beach on the north shore, drop a pin. Next time, you'll walk straight there.
The Shadow Lake trap
The trail network here can spit you out at nearby Shadow Lake instead. It's a common wrong turn. The giveaway is time: if the walk is dragging well past fifteen minutes, you've likely taken the wrong fork. Backtrack to the last junction rather than pushing on, and check your map.
What to bring
There's nothing at Lucille: no toilets, no bins, no lifeguard, and no cell service at the water. Bring:
- Water and snacks.
- Sunscreen, a hat, and a layer for when the sun drops behind the trees.
- A bag for your garbage (and anyone else's).
- A basic first aid kit.
- An inflatable paddleboard in a backpack if you want to get on the water. See packing an iSUP for walk-in lakes.
Getting back
Leave before dusk. An unsigned forest trail is a lot harder to follow in the dark, and the spur road is easier in daylight too. Follow your pin and your map back the way you came.
Questions
Where do you park for Lucille Lake?
At the start of the Chance Creek forest service road off Highway 99, north of the Brohm Lake parking. From there it's roughly a fifteen-minute walk in.
Is the trail to Lucille Lake marked?
No. The path isn't signed, so download an offline map before you go and drop a pin at the beach once you find it.
How do I know if I've gone to Shadow Lake by mistake?
The walk to Lucille is only about fifteen minutes. If you've been walking much longer than that, you've likely taken the wrong fork. Backtrack instead of pushing on.