Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

In recent years the turquoise waters of the Joffre Lakes, in British Columbia, Canada, have become world famous. Always popular with dayhikers and backpackers alike, now the lakes are increasingly overrun by those seeking a selfie to add to their collection. In the peak summer months, the parking lot at the lower lake overflows quickly, forcing people to park on the dangerously narrow shoulders of the Duffey Lake Highway. It would come as no surprise if BC Parks was forced to institute a lottery to be allowed to hike the trail. Loved to death, indeed.

This image is from 2007, long before the word got out. Cayoosh Mountain (2,561 m., 8,402 ft.) is the reddish mountain in the centre background, while Mount Marriott (2,735 m., 8,973 ft.) is on the right. The snout of the Matier Glacier is directly behind me. There were basketball-sized chunks of ice on the ground around where I stood. After 13 years of continued recession, the glacier has probably retreated further up the mountain by now.