Less than 3-mile hike one-way. Amazing views during the drive and the hike. Enjoy your time at the hot springs - try to get there early to avoid crowds. Duration: A few hours.
We woke up and decided we wanted to sit in some hot springs! Packed a bag with water and beer and started driving. Hiked down, enjoyed a beer, partook in the hot spring vibes and took a skinny dip, shared some conversations with other free spirits doing the same :). Make sure not to get drunk! The hike out would be brutal :)
To get to the hot springs, it's approximately 2-3 miles down a forest bank to the river. Intermediate is what I would rate it. Points in the trail are steep, individuals have hung ropes to balance yourself and make the trek down repelling yourself a bit easier.
The views alone are worth the drive and hike down! The tubs are small so I imagine they'd become crowded on an unlucky day. Get there early enough and you'd most likely dodge the crowds. Go on a rainy day and it would probably be even better. Every stumble you or a friend take hiking down, every bruise or scrape you come out with, laying back in a hot springs and listening to the rapids beside you in the solitude of the forest- all made it amazing.
Once you're all done, head back to Whistler, where bars and restaurants are unlimited. Garibaldi Lift Co sits below the bike park, enjoy a beer and watch the mountain bikers hit some jumps!