Brohm is a hand-carry, paddle-only lake right off Highway 99, with warm water by mid-summer and rock ledges that drop straight in. It's a brilliant place to jump. It's also a place where nobody is watching, the ropes are hung by strangers, and the water changes every month.
The one rule: check the landing, every time
Water depth at Brohm changes through the season, and submerged rock is real. A spot that was deep in June can be shallower in late August. Before anyone in your group jumps:
- Swim the landing zone. Put on goggles if you have them and look down. You're checking for rock, logs and depth.
- Check it wide. People drift out from the ledge as they fall. Check well beyond where you think you'll land.
- Check again next visit. Don't trust last month's memory, or someone else's.
Start low, then work up
There are lower ledges and higher ones. Do a low jump first to feel the water and the entry, then decide. Higher jumps hit the water much harder; landing flat on your back or stomach from height can wind you badly or worse.
- Feet first, legs together, arms in.
- No diving unless you know the depth for certain. Head-first into shallow water is how people break necks.
- Jump out, not down. A small push away from the rock keeps you clear of the face.
- One at a time. Wait until the last jumper is out of the landing zone.
Rope swings
The rope swings are put up by visitors. Nobody inspects them. Before you swing:
- Look at the rope for fraying and the branch for cracks.
- Check where you'll let go and where you'll land, just like a jump.
- Let go at the top of the swing over deep water, not on the way back toward shore.
- Hold on with both hands. One-handed tricks are how people end up on the rocks.
Kids and weaker swimmers
There are no lifeguards. If kids are jumping, an adult should be in the water near the landing and another watching from the ledge. Life jackets are a good idea for younger kids, even for jumping. Climbing back out up the rock is often harder than the jump, so check the exit route too.
Things that cause the most injuries
- Jumping into a spot nobody checked.
- Slipping on wet rock while climbing out or lining up.
- Alcohol. It doesn't belong anywhere near a ledge.
- Showing off on a height you haven't built up to.
- Cold. Early-season water is cold enough to take your breath away.
A calmer way to reach the far ledges
A paddleboard or canoe is a great way to explore the quieter north end and the far shore, and to have a floating rest stop near the landing zone. Squamish Canoe Rental delivers boards and canoes to the Brohm Lake pull-off.
Leave it as you found it: pack out everything, including other people's cans if you can. The lake is in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation territory, and its popularity is hard on it.
Questions
Is cliff jumping at Brohm Lake safe?
It can be done safely, but it's never risk-free. Water depth changes through the season and there's submerged rock. Check the depth every time, start low, and never jump alone. There are no lifeguards.
How deep is the water at the Brohm Lake ledges?
It varies by spot and by season, which is exactly why you have to check it yourself each visit. Swim the landing zone first and look for rock under the surface.
Are there rope swings at Brohm Lake?
Yes, there are rope swings over the water. Ropes are put up by visitors, not maintained by anyone, so check the rope and branch before you trust them.