The hike to Garibaldi Lake! This was a difficult one for me, maybe one of the tougher ones I've accomplished and I'm saying that because I'm not the most patient of hikers. I'm more of a speed hiker that likes to get in and get out! But to access Garibaldi Lake, (the obvious main event to the park), you must take the Rubble Creek Trail. It's an 18 kilometer out and back hike (or as us Americans would say - "roundtrip")...that is a length of 11.5 miles long. And with that 11.5 miles, the path is all uphill! Everything about it is uphill until you eventually arrive at...Garibaldi Lake! So...for the folks out there who maybe don't hike often, I'd just suggest preparing for the long haul. The hike will be strenuous, but pace yourself, take breaks when necessary and before long...the reward will be worth the grind! And then, you'll be coming back for more! Another thing, I'm always motivated to capture undisturbed pictures in nature. And it's this inspiration that I use to discover what's out there. I want to reflect back on the experience and know I afforded myself ample time during the day to accomplish the sights and sceneries that make for memorable stories. Lol, it's this type of internal mentality that pushes me to strive for greater heights, so to speak, hehehe. Okay so this Rubble Creek Trail to Garibaldi Lake! You must make a reservation 2 days in advance prior to visiting. Just go to bcparks.ca and sign up for a pass. I also used this website for accessing Joffre Lakes Provincial Park situated in Mount Currie, BC. And btw, this Garibaldi Lake is located just north of Whistler, BC. One side note...the parks, lakes and hikes here in Lower British Columbia are simply fantastic! There's a laundry list of things to do. And especially when you speak to locals and they recommend hidden, under the radar places that the public eye doesn't know much about. I thought the Canadian Rockies in Alberta were stunning, but British Columbia nature is really, really scenic! Before arriving at Garibaldi Lake, I suggest taking a short side trek to Barrier Viewpoint for some quick panoramic looks. Also, along the trail you'll pass over a short bridge looking up at a waterfall. It's worthy of a photo. Finally arriving at Garibaldi Lake, at first it may not be so picturesque (even when the sun is out!) but give it a chance. Walk around and explore and you'll find colorful instances where you'll connect with those green and turquoise blue waters. Especially when you're looking back towards the entrance area of the lake, the return hike back down had some of my most fulfilling pictures of the day. It's weird, it's like the angle of the sun can play tricks on you. Be patient and hopefully magical moments will evolve! I tried to walk around the perimeter of Garibaldi Lake, but that wasn't possible. So...I had to relax a little and take my foot off the gas pedal, lol. In fact, some of my best views were simply looking out at the snowcapped mountain peaks. There's a glacier set in the distance as well. A lot of visitors brought their bathing suits with them. And although the lake is glacially fed and freezing, people were still swimming! I even joined in on the fun and took my clothes down to my underwear and hopped in the waters, lol. Granted, it was only briefly, but still, I wanted to leave no stone unturned while here! I'd also point out that since the lake is not navigable 360 degrees around, it sort of took the pressure off me to find the best picture angles. Instead, I really tried to embrace the setting and live in the moment! There's camping allowed here, but again you must make reservations for it. Btw, it's free to book your entry pass to the lake. Parking is free too. One last thing, remember...when you head back towards the entrance of Garibaldi Lake, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the lake colors illuminating from the tree line pathway. I left the lake around 3pm and suddenly, light greens and blues were evident! There are vault toilets at the lake. Interestingly, they ask you to bring your own toilet paper. Never seen that before. Overall, Garibaldi Lake was a wonderful way to enjoy a summer day in the great outdoors. I can't believe I hiked 18 kilometers. And the path through the forest makes for a quiet atmosphere in the woods. I would still rank Joffre Lakes as my favorite BC landmark, but this Garibaldi Lake has its value and major popularity among hikers. Thank you for taking time to read this. read more

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All I have to say is be prepared.. As this is about an 18km hike, I recommend leaving early in the morning and staying over night in Whistler so you don't feel rushed. This time around when we went, due to the pandemic, we had to book a time slot the day of as they were limiting the amount of hikers. Driving there isn't the problem nor is the parking, it's the length of time but the reward at the end is worth it. I recommend bringing a small bag for liquids, snacks, bug spray, hat and towel as you could swim there but keep in mind you can't throw away your garbage at the site due to bears even though there's a camp site there. The hike isn't super steep and you won't have to climb anything (at least I didn't), you just have to be ready to walk a lot. The path is well marked so you can't get lost. I would say the average round trip if you aren't including staying at the destination to eat and take photos is roughly 4-5 hours round trip at a steady pace. Hike's are always calming and it helps clear your mind from stress and clutter. This is probably one of the best local hikes I've done so far and I would definitely recommend it to anything looking for a challenge and beautiful view. And if you want to be more adventurous, you can also extend your trip to panoramic ridge and black tusk! read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Hiking Near Me

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This review is about Cheakamus lake trail in this provincial park. We missed to turn to get into this parking which has very very small sign and non paved road. 8am, there are plenty spots for parking but when we left at 3pm, completely packed even we needed to book reservations for this trail. There are three toilets but no water supply. Bring your water and hand sanitizer always. Trail was moderate and always in the shade along the river and lake. If you need to start to hike in the morning, better to wear a jacket. My hiking tracker showed 9km for one way and 800+ m elevation gain but honestly I didn't feel like that. Very long walk in the wood but elevation wise, not hard at all. For campers, there are food cache so that you can hang your food to avoid bear attack. View was gorgeous and I would be back when there is no smoke from wild fire. read more

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This hike, which we did 5 years ago in July of '15, stands out in my mind as having some of the most dramatic views. It was a really nice forested hike the whole way up.... but when one gets to the lake, the views were absolutely stunning. If you find yourself in Vancouver, and have the ability to break away to Whistler, this hike is a must do in my book. read more

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One of the hardest, but most rewarding hikes I've ever done! I really wanted to do one strenuous hike during vacation, and am so glad we picked Garibaldi Lake. I read reviews, but I don't think they adequately prepared me for the nightmarish first and last portions of this hike. It was only 1.5 hours of a drive from Vancouver, so pretty accessible if you have a car. We came on Canadian Thanksgiving and barely saw any people. The entire hike took us about 5.5 hours. Literally the first 2 hours are a constant barrage of uphill climbs. Just when the terrain starts to even out, you look up and see a steeper climb. I thought the reviews were joking when I read that I'd be hating myself for even attempting this hike. It was definitely a mind over matter thing. Luckily, (or unluckily) there are km markers along the way to monitor your progress. Although, it seemed like some later kms were missing, so I started freaking out that we were on the 4th km for an hour. But after the grueling uphill climb comes small peaks to your eventual prize. You start hearing water and seeing some smaller lakes/streams. Then Garibaldi! You see the crystal clear lake from a small angle at first, so you have to keep going past the wooden bridge and along the side. Then you come to a better view, with an extra 300m or so path that takes you to another angle. There were 2 picnic tables so definitely bring some food and refuel. We stayed here maybe 30 minutes. Wish it was longer, but it was getting really cold and my legs were already getting really sore from the hike up. We still had 2.5 hours of downhill to go. The downhill went much faster. It was a little more dangerous just because it's more strenuous for your knees to go downhill for so long, but take your time and you'll be fine. I couldn't help it and basically ran down the last 10 minutes or so because I just wanted to be changed into more comfortable shoes and wanted to give my legs a rest. This hike taught me that I should definitely up my cardio and throw in some stairmaster work. It was so worth it though. I highly recommend everyone to do this hike! read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Gorgeous. - Hiking Near Me

Wow! I stayed at Garibaldi Lake Campground on July 6, 2017 and it was simply magnificent. Backpacking up Garibaldi Lake trail with a loaded pack was a challenge but due to a late start I tried my best to hustle (while still enjoying the scenery) and made it to camp in 3 hours. I was literally taken aback by the beauty of the lakes... oh and the fact the campground was still completely covered in snow. Luckily I managed to find a relatively snow free spot and set up my three season tent. It was a cold cold night but I was equipped with a pretty decent sleeping bag and a life saving insulated sleep pad. I loved having dinner and breakfast by the lake. I will hopefully make another trip in the future, spending more time in the area, and doing a day hike to Panorama Ridge and/or Black Tusk. Highly recommend! read more

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Amazingly Beautiful!!! We hiked up to Garibaldi lake, its 18km round trip. Its worth it, the trail is well marked and paved so low risk of getting lots. Its true, it is a switch back hell but a gradual uphill its doable. My husband who rarely hikes found it to be moderate level. For myself I found it fairly easy just long, I hike and run regularly. I ended up running 7km down, it was pretty fun. The lake itself is beautiful with surrounding mountains and glacier. Only complain is its rocky, if you plan to swim its safe to wear wet shoes or sandals. And the water is cold!!! (: Great place to have lunch or a break if you plan to hike up higher. Ive seen pictures of Black Tusk and Panorama ridge looks amazing thats my goal for my next trip here. I highly recommend this hike. read more

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My husband and I attempted the hike to Garibaldi Lake on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Getting there: going North on Sea to Sky Highway, turn right at Daisy Lake Road (we starred the road on google maps, so it was easy to find). Once you reach the end of Daisy Lake Road, you will see 2 parking lots and the start of the trail. We arrived at 9AM, and we were the only ones there. Hike: In my opinion, the first km is by far the hardest because it has the steepest elevation. But, after we passed that first km, the hike up got much easier, we caught our breaths and steadily went up. The trail is a big nature ramp with multiple switchbacks along the way. Once you reach 2.5km, there will be a wooden sign that has arrows that point to Garibaldi Lake (in 6.5km), Taylor Meadows (in 5km) and back to the Parking Lot (2.5km). Hike discontinued: We happily hiked towards the direction of Garibaldi Lake. However, I would say that about 3.5-4km in, we found that the trail was covered in snow. See the pictures I've attached below. The snow wasn't soft ... it was quite icy... We were not expecting to have this much snow in May, but I guess this winter (2017) was especially harsh. The Grouse Grind isn't even open to the public yet because they still have snow on the trail, which should have been a sign for us. In addition, I was not wearing appropriate gear - my shoes were a pair of flat runners (which, by the way, worked just fine for other hikes that were not covered in snow). I kept slipping on the snow ice, and I didn't feel safe. It was clear that we had to turn back. On our way down, we passed by at least 20 people coming up. Some of them were totally geared up and ready, so I believe they were able to complete the hike. But, I would NOT recommend this trail for beginners or inexperienced hikers for this month. In addition, I have heard that the lake is currently still frozen. I would absolutely return in warmer months, like July and August. Unfortunately, it will be another year or so before I have time to revisit BC. I'm so sad!! Anyway, even though we didn't get to the beautiful lake, I'm rating it a 5 because I am sure it would have been an amazing experience if it weren't for the snow. Furthermore, my husband and I still had tons of fun during our hike. It was serene and beautiful, and we loved it! Will 100% come back (in 1-2 years) and update this review!!! read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - May 13 2017: About 4km in, trail covered in snow - Hiking Near Me

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This review is more of a trail conditions report for the hike to Garibaldi Lake as of May 29, 2017. The trail was snow-free from the Rubble Creek parking lot up to about 80% through the switchbacks. This portion of the trail was littered with post-winter obstacles including fallen trees, scattered foliage, stream runoffs and an actual waterfall crossing. None of the obstacles are impassable, though the waterfall crossing is a tad tricky if you want to keep your feet dry (tip: trekking poles come in handy here to help balance across the scattered rocks!). The trail is snow-covered from the lava dam viewpoint through to Garibaldi Lake. The barrier viewpoint is a quick detour and should not be missed - it's an impressive geological feature (read up about it on Wikipedia!). While snow-covered, the trail is generally navigable thanks to the packed-down path created by fellow hikers of yore. The trail around Barrier Lake is easily missed - the true trail lies just inside the tree line, though a well-trodden path is also present that eventually leads into the lake (careful!). Lesser Garibaldi Lake was not visible from the trail. The rolling topology combined with the snow will keep you vigilant of your footing, least you slip and slide in goofy fashion. Snow cleats or snow shoes will come in handy, though it's doable with good hiking shoes too. Trekking poles are of limited use as they tend to travel deep into the snow pack (thus losing the leverage). Then the moment arrives when you crest the final hill and the lake comes into view... words simply can't describe it. Many people stop at the bridge crossing due to the snow coverage beyond that point. However, I recommend making the additional short jaunt to the end of the inlet where you'll be rewarded with an expansive view of the lake, the surrounding peaks and the almighty Sphinx glacier. The snow around the lake is soft from the direct sun and you'll suddenly appreciate all that shade the forest provided en route to the lake. The lake itself is completely snow-covered at this time. read more

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hike up there might feel hard but once you get up to the top you wont believe what you are seeing is real the beauty of nature and we definitely learn to appreciate what we have we got tricked couple times till we got to the top since we thought the first lake you see was it but we saw more and kept going until we saw what we were supposed to see we went during September and the mountain still had snow which made everything even better the pictures I took didn't need no filter it was beautiful as is we took our time hiking up and down taking lots of pictures took us total of 8 hours to finish the hike but definitely worth it if you are ever near the area and a hiker? I would have dont miss out on the great opportunity to witness it yourself I did see lot of backpackers going towards the top there are multiple camp sites and gondola ride you can do instead of hiking as well read more

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This is a beautiful park, and because of its proximity to Vancouver and Whistler, it is heavily used. A day hike up to Garibaldi Lake is totally doable, but if you want to continue on to Black Tusk, or Panorama Ridge, it's best to camp overnight at the lake. Overnight camping is permitted at the lake, and you pay at the parking lot before starting your hike. There are usually rangers present, and there are cooking shelters for use, as well as pit toilets. Pack out what you packed in! No garbage facilities are provided. There is a great view point along the trail up to Garibaldi Lake, with views of the Barrier and distant peaks. The rest of the trail is mostly sheltered by large coniferous trees. There are two smaller lakes on the way to Garibaldi Lake; Barrier Lake and Lesser Garibaldi Lake. There are fishing opportunities at these lakes, as well as the main lake. Bring your licence if you intend to fish. The only drawbacks to this park are the sheer number of people that use it and the overly aggressive Whiskey Jacks (Gray Jays). The Garibaldi Lake trail seems to be a common choice for first time hikers. The trail is in good condition, and despite the elevation (810 m to get to the lake), it's pretty easy going. So this leads to a lot of people with brand new gear attempting their first wilderness experience, overloaded with equipment, or people hiking in flip flops, under prepared. The trail also attracts hard-core fitness enthusiasts who seem to think this the path is an appropriate place for them to go running and then get testy when hikers are in their way. read more

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This is a super overdue review. So...my husband and I came here in April 2019 as we were honeymooning in Canada. He said, "Well, I know Lake Louise was frozen, but Garibaldi has got to be warmed up right? Because it's on top of a mountain," (cue facepalm)....needless to say it was covered in snow and iced over. BUT. it was the most breathtaking hike I've ever been on, and extremely strenuous. You see, we had gone there with practically no gear, just hiking boots. SO FYI, if you are going during the cold season, please have AT A MINIMUM, crampons under your hiking boots, and walking poles! Stay on the path or you can end up going into a couple feet of deep snow OR falling off the path since it can get extremely narrow and slippery on the way up. We about almost died a few times. On top of that, we had to hike an extra mile or two since the closer area of the parking lot was snowed, so it was closed and we were left to park alllll the way at the bottom of the entrance. All in all it totaled about 14miles and it took us about 7hr30min which included resting and munching on some food at the top. Again, super breathtaking. And in Korea we say something along the lines of, "the air is good." It was so refreshing and crisp. Honestly if given the chance, I cannot wait to go back there during the summertime. Either way, winter or summer, it is a sight to see! read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Hiking Near Me

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Lovely park with beautiful views, nice amenities, and lots of traffic! We hiked up to Elfin Lakes last weekend. I'm not much of a hiker, but it was a very manageable 11k. There's a shelter at Red Heather about 5k in where you can stop and have a snack, and after walking along a ridge for another 6k you get a great view of the Elfin Lakes and your saviour, the Elfin Lakes shelter. This is a heated shelter that can sleep 34 people comfortably, and more uncomfortably. When we were there all the bunks were full and a couple people were sleeping on the floor. Bunks are upstairs, and the downstairs has the furnace, 4 propane stoves, tables and benches, and some big pots for boiling water or snow. One of the lakes is for gathering drinking water (you should still boil it!) and one is for swimming/bathing, although be careful because sometimes you think you've walked to the second lake, but really it's just the other side of the first lake. Oops. There's also a campground near the Elfin Lakes shelter, but sometimes bears are in the area, so be careful. Some great hikes from the shelter, including 3k of steady incline to the Gargoyles, and about a 6k hike to Opal Cone -- just be aware of possible washouts for that one. It's also totally doable to walk to the lakes and back as a day hike, and you'll see many people doing just that, or enjoying the trail on their mountain bikes. read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Hiking Near Me

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***MY 200th REVIEW*** For my 200th review, I wanted to pick a 5 star place. Garibaldi Provincial Park and Lake Garibaldi is that 5 star place... I loved the journey 9KM up to Lake Garibaldi. Sure, it was trying walking and walking and walking, but after reaching the top, it was SOOO worth it. One of my Yelper friends turned Facebook friend turned true friend, Meana, drove my partner and I for this adventure. We arrived around 9:30am and found parking fairly quickly though the parking lot is quite confusing. We began our steady climb upzig zaging back and forth up the mountain. It was an easy 20 degree grade with loads of places for pictures of nature. I would suggest taking your time and enjoying yourself. Take some snacks and water with you for the long walk, but only take what you need, because you do not want to lug extra weight. By about 2:00pm, we finally reached Lake Garibaldi. After reaching the lake, prepare yourself for the majesty of nature beauty. The water is turquoise blue with the snow capped mountains in the background. Several people, me not included, get into the freezing water to prove whatever they want to prove. Hypothermia stopped me from doing that... However, I did put my feet in the water until they began to tingle with pain (about 30 seconds). At the top, we had a light lunch and enjoyed hand feeding the birds. After having lunch and relaxing a little while, we headed back now the mountain. It took us about 3 hours to walk back to the parking lot. We didn't take our time this way, since it is the same path as going up. That is another reason to take your time up. We took about 5 hours up, 1 hour eating and relaxing and about 3 hours down. What a wonderful day... =) And as always, Have FUN!!! *********************************************************************** read more

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What a spectacular park with fabulous views and very challenging hikes. I went with two friends. We chose to camp at one of the designated camping areas within the park. From the trout fishing to canoeing/paddleboarding at Cheakamus Lake to our day hike (32kms roundtrip) up to Black Tusk and back, (10 hours) this whole area rocks! There is really nothing more you can expect out of Provincial Park! read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - A map of Garibaldi Provincial Park. - Hiking Near Me

A must do if you're ever in Vancouver! The hike is about 11 miles rt with gradual incline until you get to Garibaldi. It's a difficult hike if you're not a big hiker or fit. The view of the clear lake with the glacier reflecting off of it was breathtaking! One of the best view. So surreal! Make sure you go all the way till you hit the Ranger Station. We almost missed the full view since it was late when we came to the bend after the bridge. We started off after brunch (Truffle House Cafe which I highly recommend) so it was a bit late and didn't get to relax as long as we wanted up there. Wear comfortable hiking shoes! I was fine in my running shoes but bf wore hiking boots that were hard on his toes going down. Our knees were aching toward the last two miles but looking back at the photos made it all worth it! Wish we had time to hike all the way up to Panorama or Black Tusk and stop by Shannon Falls on the way out...but next time. Ladies - if nature calls...sorry but you'll have to be one with her. Only pits were at the parking lot and Ranger Station read more

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In summer,you'll have to deal with lots of fellow hikers if you do the hike to the lake but the reward is big:a lake that has no reason to be jealous of the ones in the Rockies.It will be far more rewarding if you are able to go towards Black Tusk or Panorama Ridge as you'll be above the tree line, you'll get to see amazing flora and fauna and won't have to deal with the crowd. read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Hiking Near Me

5 star views but 3 star path to access them. I came here yesterday with Kwoky L and Christian H to hike up to Garibaldi Lake. None of us are first-time hikers, but this was our most challenging trail yet due simply to its strenuous incline. 9km up to see the sights of Garibaldi Lake, further if you want to see additional sights like Black Tusk or Panorama Ridge. Only the lake and Taylor Meadows are probably doable in a day-hike, but the rest would require camping overnight. I read that after 6km the incline flattens out. While the switchbacks end at this point and you're headed in a straighter direction, it really doesn't flatten out much at all until after 7km. I personally don't do well with inclines due to a heart condition, but I succeeded as well as did many dozens of other people -- young, old, and even 8 months pregnant. Unless you're camping, pack light and just bring lunch and an extra layer of clothing. Don't carry a heavy bag up, make sure you're wearing proper shoes for hiking on gravel, and by all means do not forget your camera at home. As Kat S mentioned in her review, there are many ultra-hikers who seem to get testy about having to go around you while they easily run the trails. We were surprised by the rush people seemed to be in to get up and come down later. Then I remembered reading that people thought it was a boring hike until you get to the top. Really? I'm pretty sure we managed to stop and ooh and aah over many little details that the rest of the hikers didn't even catch a glimpse of. Natural beauty surrounds you on the trails. Little rushing streams of water, wildflowers, interesting trees, moss, views from the heights you're at. Lots to see if you take a moment to look. Once you finally reach the views at the top, the lake is truly breathtaking with its turquoise blue colors and magnificent backdrop of snowcapped mountains. While there are lots of people there, there is plenty of space to spread out and find your own picnic spot and enjoy the scenery. My only wish is that the water wasn't painfully and numbingly cold. I couldn't make it in past my ankles though I saw others go in further. It looked so deceivingly inviting. Taking the trails back down is a lot faster but can be hard on your knees and ankles. Watch out for the possibility of slipping due to the gravel, especially in the last 3km. As you're planning your trip, factor in 3-5 hours up and 2-3 hours down, but be sure to leave plenty of time to relax at the lake. read more

I had the unfortunate luck of arriving unprepared and too early in the year to get to the Lake. I made it halfway up but had to turnaround because there was still too much snow on the trails (snow started about 1.5-2.0 km in). The hike is difficult (elevation change, distance) but at least it's covered in shade for the most part (at least early on). I was only 1 of 3 cars in the lot during a weekday in April (gives you an idea of the time of year) and I noticed at least 6 cars were broken into recently because of the broker glass in the lot. FYI - not only should you hide / remove all valuables but also avoid parking next to any vehicle that does not hide valuables). I can't wait to give this another shot later in the year once more of the snow melts. read more

We did the hike up to Garibaldi Lake, which was the most beautiful hike I've ever done and simultaneously one of the most difficult. It's a 18km out and back trek that starts off with a moderate incline and then a few km of switchbacks up to a hiker's camp. From there it's easier going as the trail grade becomes more moderate. You are greeted with peeks of the lake and then finally you descend toward the trail hugging Garibaldi Lake. Take your time here because it is beautiful! The water is a wonderful shade of turquoise and the mountains surrounding the lake are spectacular. read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Garibaldi lake! - Hiking Near Me

Just saw a bear walking down to the lake, I was three meters away from him!!! He saw me and made eye contact with me, I had to move away quietly and quickly. Luckily, he did not chase me or hurt me, so be careful hikers and don't forget to bring a pepper spray. read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Hiking Near Me

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This is an other worldly experience. On a rainy day it is quiet and ethereal. On a sunny day it is lush and green, full of energy and opportunities. read more

Great hike to Elfin Lakes. There are lots of good hikes in the Coast Range...but some of them are so steep that you can't really enjoy the process either way. Elfin is perfect - the trail up is a bit of a dull logging road for 5km, but the last 6km is beautiful sub-alpine scenery with lots of mountain views. It isn't flat, so you still get a workout, but it is first rate hiking with always changing scenery. Perfect for a day hike. One caution, the 2 km closest to the trailhead was pretty buggy...but this has been a bad year for mosquitoes. read more

I did this hike last week (early Oct) and camped out over 2 nights, it was great. The daytime sunshine made it really warm on Panorama Ridge but it was quite cold the first night camping. If you have the right gear it's still ok. Here is my review! http://tonyflynn.ie/2015/10/15/panorama-ridge-hike-whistler-b-c-ca/ read more

I am honestly spoiled living in Vancouver. It's pretty much perfect in regards to experiencing "the great outdoors." Garibaldi lake hike isn't too strenuous a hike at all (I would consider myself a beginner-intermediate hiker with intermediate overall fitness) and after 18K (up and down altogether) I have no pain the next day either... AWESOME. Not overly crowded, and when people pass you, you're okay with that. You'll think "these people are fit hikers!! they're probably on their way to Black Tusk or some other extreme hike" not "oh my gawd... i am dying, why am i so weak, and I hate my life." You'll admire the sunlight lancing through the trees and feel cool and shaded from the sun beating down at a heat of 28 degrees. When you reach the top (the fake top) there's a little lake which is a crystal aqua blue that will speak to your soul and make you primally glad. This is for two reasons (1. f yeah! i'm at the top! i've done 9k! go me! and 2. it's just gorgeous. think jiuzhaigou in China beauty... but for free! right in our own backyard!!) but don't celebrate prematurely. The second lake (aka the large lake, aka garabaldi lake) is further ahead.... still a whiles away, and more crowded. People are obnoxious, and there will probably be some oblivious hiker who feels the need to stand in the frame of your photo (lame!) despite requests for them to move out of the way. Ah well, can't win them all. It's still beautiful and the beauty is only spoiled by the small crowd of people pausing there. oh yeah. the outhouse (singular) is nasty, you should be prepared with your own TP, and don't look down. you've been warned. On the way back, you can traverse through taylor meadows, but unfortunately when we were there yesterday, the imagined wildflower studded meadow was sadly lacking. think of the second saddest patch of daisies you've ever seen. I'd recommend doing this hike for sure. GET UP! GET OFF YELP AND PLAN THIS NOW!!!! read more

We hiked up to Garibaldi Lake on a Monday and camped for two nights in the campground there. The trail is hard but do-able with a pack if you are in pretty good shape. There weren't too many crowds on our hike up at 7am on a Monday but we could see cars parked along the road about a mile down from the trailhead that had probably parked there over the weekend so judging from that I'm sure the trail on sat/sun is insanely crowded. It wasn't bad for us and there were plenty of tent pads for us to choose from. If you camp overnight they have fully enclosed shelters and a rope line to hang food for protection from bears/critters. It was so pretty the first night we camped but the BC wildfire smoke blew in the second day we were out there and it wasn't a very good view after that. Definitely recommend doing this IF you can do it on a weekday but you do need to be in good shape to make it up. It's not an easy hike and we did see a good amount of people make it 1-2 miles up the trail before deciding to turn around because of difficulty. The markers say it's 9k (5.6 miles) to the campground but our gps watch put the total distance as nearly a full 6 miles. Bring plenty of water and don't be rude and leave trash everywhere. There are pit toilets with paper in them at the beginning of the trail and at the campground. read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Hiking Near Me

If heading north on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, it's very easy to miss the turnoff to Garibaldi. You'd think there would be a better sign for a Provincial Park but no; the signage is poor so if you find yourself crossing a bridge over a large dam, you've gone too far. I got a chance in high school to spend a couple nights up at Garibaldi Lake and it was awesome. I always told myself I'd be back even if just for a day trip. Over a decade later (yes, I'm old...) and I finally made it back up this past August long weekend. The hike up to the lake is long with many switchbacks. The most difficult thing about it is not so much the incline, but the distance at 9km one way. Once you finally do make it up you will cross a small path over the water to reveal the Gatorade-blue waters. Once you reach the main area, you can take a dip in the glacial waters, sunbathe, or just enjoy the natural scenery. If you're up there on a weekend during the summer, there will be plenty of people doing all of the above. The natural beauty of Garibaldi Lake is something I can only compare to Moraine Lake in Banff. Amazing stuff. Coming back down is slightly faster but seems like it lasts forever. If you really want to be crazy, continue onto Panorama Ridge to make it a 30km roundtrip. Easily done if you have a couple days there. read more

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We did the 19 mile round trip hike to Panorama ridge and it was an amazing day! Took us 11 hours total which included stops for pictures, eating, and a cold jump in Garibaldi Lake. This is one of the most beautiful viewpoints I've ever seen, rivaling hikes in New Zealand and the Himalayas. Didn't see any bears, although we heard there were some near the trail. If you're an avid hiker and want a view that will bring a tear to your eye, I highly recommend this trek! read more

Very beautiful provincial park and pretty easy to locate and the drive up wasn't too hard either. The water is amazing and a super lovely area but unfortunately it's not dog friendly.. read more

BEAUTIFUL trail. It is as good as it gets people! You first start in the parking lot which is surrounded by the sounds of the rushing water from a nearby river. This "hike" is more like walking. The elevation is very uniform throughout the entire journey, and is no more than 30 degrees at most. Takes about two hours and fifteen minutes if you go at a constant pace with no breaks to get to Garibaldi lake. There are one or two lakes that you can visit prior to Garibaldi though. The most beautiful scene in my opinion is the 6.5km viewpoint. I feel that nobody really talks about it, but it is STUNNING. There's a sign that says 6.5km, and you can take a detour for about 10 seconds, and arrive at a cliff made of boulders. From here you can see the entire meadows and rocky cliffs. The wildlife there are very curious and are used to humans (probably feeding them nuts and such) so they will come greet you. You can just lie down and relax for a while and I promise it is worth it. Garibaldi lake has a couple camp grounds, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it for the winter season. It is FREEZING especially in the morning! The water however is impossibly turquoise, and I wish I could bring a canoe or something because it is just SO beautiful. Unlike Grouse Grind, there are no gondolas to help you get back down, so you have to make a round trip. I feel that the descent is much tougher than the actual hike. It takes a toll on your feet because you make a thud with every step. You will definitely get sore muscles by next morning, so remember to stretch! read more

I hiked up to Garibaldi Lake and it was beautiful. Be prepared for a challenging incline. If you have the time and equipment to camp I would highly recommend spending the night. read more

Just got back from a hike to the lake, Tusk and Panorama ridge. Everything was in full bloom and the views are spectacular. Word of warning, entering from Garibaldi Lake is switchback hell. Returning the same way will likely render the unfit crippled for the rest of the afternoon... read more

Beautiful place for hiking. We had a hard time finding the place and had to uturn multiple times (multiple times!) and stopped and asked a park trooper for directions. We finally found the entrance to one of the trail we wanted. It was magnificent. It's a rather long trail but it depends on how far you want to go in. There saw many different sceneries during our hike. We went the first week of June so the days were warm but the nights were cold. By the time we went hiking it was starting to cool down. Which was really nice cause there weren't many bugs. Be sure to start your hike early enough so that you're not coming out when it's dark. That's happened to me at Palo Duro and we were not prepared for it so it was scary. read more

Garibaldi Lake is definitely the most scenic hiking destination I have ever been to! The hike is extremely long but easy. It takes us about 7-8 hours round trip (18km). You pass a few beautiful lakes on your way up and the peak is just spectacular! You will feel like you are in paradise! read more

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Garibaldi Lake - Hiking Near Me

HIKED WEDGEMOUNT LAKE in Garibaldi Provincial Park, entrance 15 minutes north of Whistler Village in the northern most entrance to Garibaldi Provincial Park. This is one of my best hikes of my entire life.... INCREDIBLE. We hiked it on Tues. June 21st, 2016. Conditions were pretty much great. Some snow when you get up very high and are (almost!) to the lake sitting high in the sky at the base of mountains/glaciers. We tried to follow the freshest tracks possible and move SLOW & CAREFUL when we hit some snow up there... or find a safer spot right by if exists to go up with no snow.. SO out of this world beautiful. I think the snow being up there on lots of parts of the rock faces made it that much more dramatic, and the lake was half frozen, half melting. CRAZY STUNNING turquoise-ishness:) :) :) I think it's 14 KM round trip, which would be about 8.7 miles roundtrip. Started at 9 am..We really took our time going up... took us close to 5 hours to get to the lake, more or less. We spent close to 2 hours up there, and it took us 3 hours and 40 minutes to come down. I believe you gain just about 4,000 FEET in elevation from the parking lot to Wedgemount Lake, this is all in 4.35 Miles! Proceed with caution. The lake was our final destination. The 'cabin' at the north end of the lake is at 6,299 feet above sea level. The actual top of Wedge Mountain is near 9,497 FEET.. This is in the top 3 most challenging hikes of my life. . Longs Peak in Rocky Mt Ntnl Park, CO, USA was the most difficult. Check out whistlerhiatus dot com for AWESOME hiking info for that area, and there are links to lots of other hiking in Canada. read more