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    Garibaldi Provincial Park

    4.8 (35 reviews)

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    Marc P.

    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.

    Gorgeous.
    Jessica M.

    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!

    Here we go!!
    Krista M.

    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!

    Marje B.

    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.

    May 13 2017: About 4km in, trail covered in snow
    Lucy M.

    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!!!

    Barrier viewpoint
    Francis L.

    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.

    Ji O.

    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

    Ginny Y.

    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!

    Garibaldi Lake
    Kat S.

    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.

    Emma L.

    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.

    Trails...
    Christian H.

    ***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!!! ***********************************************************************

    A map of Garibaldi Provincial Park.
    Hikaru N.

    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!

    Hanah P.

    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

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    Review Highlights - Garibaldi Provincial Park

    You are greeted with peeks of the lake and then finally you descend toward the trail hugging Garibaldi Lake.

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    Sea To Sky Gondola - Hot chocolate with a view!

    Sea To Sky Gondola

    4.6(228 reviews)
    1.8 km

    This was indeed some of the best views I have ever seen. This area is a breath of fresh air. It is…read moreso spectacular and the gondola was fun to attend. Please be warn if you have a fear of heights. My friend and I upload with another set of friends and experienced the ride up. During the right, the gondola came to a complete stop for less than a minute. But it was windy and the gondola swung back and forth. It was a bit scary, but quickly the track continued a the gondola continued to ascent to the submit. At the top, there is the suspension bridge. Which is really nice. It gives a nice view of the submit lodge. There are small hikes around the place and the views from those hikes are magnificent. Once you're done with your hikes, you can venture inside the submit lodge. Inside is a good selection of food options.

    Sea to Sky Gondola is one of those activities where you feel like it should be more novel than…read moreanything else. You hear the ride up and down is only 10 minutes and you start to wonder if the money spent is worth it. But then as you ascend up the mountain and look all around you in this beautifully clear and clean gondola, the lake below is pristine. The mountains around you barely hide the clouds as they lazily drift by. The trees envelop you with all their greenery. All of this is happening in these mere 10 minutes. However, once you arrive up top and get off the gondola a large selection of different adventures await you. You could warm yourself up at the visitor centre just right of the gondolas where you can get some hot food and look out through its huge glass windows out into the wilderness. You could also walk outside said visitor centre and onto the suspension bridge. It looks daunting at first, but it isn't too long and you get some wonderful photos from it. There are also several different hikes located all throughout the area with varying degrees of difficulty. The one just on the other side of the suspension bridge is an easy loop hike you can do under ten minutes with astounding moments of forest bathing. You can also go and ski or tube when there is snow. When you go with a tour package, usually you only have about an hour and a half of time up here, but if you're on your own this could easily be a 3-4 hour excursion. Those the price might be steep for some to utilize the gondolas, if you decide to make a day trip out of this visit it'll be worth the money to get the views, air, and experience that is Sea to Sky Gondola.

    Photos
    Sea To Sky Gondola - This Panorama Trail leads to Chief Overlook...one of the best scenery points at the summit.

    This Panorama Trail leads to Chief Overlook...one of the best scenery points at the summit.

    Sea To Sky Gondola
    Sea To Sky Gondola - I made it to Sea to Sky Gondola.

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    I made it to Sea to Sky Gondola.

    Stawamus Chief Provincial Park - Stawamus Chief Trail (Provincial Park)

    Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

    4.5(56 reviews)
    1.2 km

    I love hiking and have done a lot of hiking over the past couple of years (I started a hiking group…read moretwo years ago), improving my stamina and fitness level. I have been able to do increasingly harder hikes, although my level is solidly intermediate -- I can't do hikes that are 20km, 10 hours, extreme elevation, really rough terrain, etc. The Stawamus Chief, known as "The Chief", is a popular hike that is on many people's bucket list. I was never particularly interested in The Chief, as the description seemed too difficult and being in Squamish, it was not possible to get there as a non-driver. However, this summer, some friends who I met through my hiking group wanted to try The Chief. We went on a Wednesday, in order to avoid the weekend crowd. Seven of us went, and none of us being morning people, we arrived around 11:30am, which is considered late for hardcore hikers. Fortunately, we were able to find a parking spot, although there were very few available at that time. The Chief consists of three peaks, and we only did the first one, which was more than enough. We went quite slowly, taking breaks as needed, and excluding about an hour at the top, taking in the view and having lunch, it took us about 4.5 hours to complete (2.5 hours to the top, 2 hours back down). While I was obviously able to complete The Chief, I didn't particularly enjoy the hike (although I really liked the company and hanging out with my friends), and I have no desire to do it again -- I've done it once, I don't have anything to prove, and there are so many other hikes to do. The trail for the first peak, while relatively short (under 4km there and back) is quite steep, and there are a lot of stairs. The problem is that I am short, and the steps were quite high, so I was extra slow as it took me longer to step up or down each stair, and by the end of the hike, I was exhausted (as were my friends). I had heard that there were chains and a ladder on the rock face that you needed to scramble up in order to get to the top, and this is why I had no desire to try The Chief. While challenging, the chains and ladder weren't so bad, and easier than I had expected. But the scramble up the rock face after the chains and ladder was horrible. I hated the scramble up the rock face, and I was actually pretty terrified -- I almost fell backwards to my death, as with Tunnel Bluffs. Thankfully my friends helped me. In my opinion, there should have been some chains to hold on to. Anyway, I made it up without dying, but I am never doing that again. At the top we could see the second peak, and to me, it looked like a pure scramble up rock face, the part I hated about our hike. I'm definitely never going to attempt the other peaks. We spend about an hour at the top, having lunch and hanging out. There was a cute chipmunk who ate the trail mix that I "accidentally" dropped, and we saw a Peregrine falcon and a raven flying around for over five minutes -- it looked like the falcon was chasing the raven. Overall a great day with my friends, but I did not enjoy The Chief and have no desire to ever do it again. [Yelp collections: Hiking]

    I had never been to Stawamus Chief before but I was super excited for it. I had heard that it was a…read morerather difficult hike (which it is) but it's totally doable! We had someone with us who had never done a hike before and she made it to the top so it's doable. Having said that, we only did peak 1 because it was raining that day and we didn't want to risk anything. Peak 1 have lots of rocks and the elevation gain is pretty big. It took us 4.5 hours in total for the hike but if you are someone who is a hiker, it's possible to do it in 3 hrs. I will say that if you decide to do this hike on a rainy day, be prepared to have proper shoes because it does get slippery! Regardless I would say having proper shoes for this hike is important. The top of the hike is mostly climbing with ropes and on flat elevated rocks so it's good to have shoes with good grip. The view from up there is definitely worth it though!

    Photos
    Stawamus Chief Provincial Park - View from the top.

    View from the top.

    Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
    Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

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    Sea to Sky Adventure Company - Early Spring ride at Grouse Mountain with Sea to Sky Adventure Company

    Sea to Sky Adventure Company

    5.0(3 reviews)
    2.4 km

    Had a guided mountain bike ride for my teenage boys and myself. Guide was great, their Norco…read morebikes worked great and we saw several outstanding trails. Our guide took us on trails with some climbing, Single track, 20+ bridges , lots of jumps, wooden skill stuff and overall a great ride in a beautiful area. Had a great time, a bit sore this morning...... Boys wanted another ride!! Would recommend it!!

    Okay everybody this is British Columbia,Squamish BC to be exact. There is a famous slogan, "Do as…read morethey do in Rome". So when in BC get up and and let your inner ruggidness out and enjoy the fury of the wild. That said I am so glad I did not spend time in Vancouver all day. Since I am an AAA member and they do have an account with Viator, I looked at various activities I could possibly do in BC like fishing, rafting etc. However, I remember that waves can be very strong in September in this area around this time, and if you want to go fishing I have to call and pay for a British Columbia fishing permit. So I decided to do a kayaking trip and I had such a blast. Now I could have gone to Whistler, but choose Squamish as my destination because it was closer to Vancouver (65km north of Vancouver). Upon my arrival I met two professional and highly adept representatives of "Sea To Sky Adventure". The first woman I met was Elise ( Sorry if I got the name wrong). Elise was a very kind and capable driver. Second woman was my instructor and tour guide Amy. Elise drove us across town to Howe Sound. Once we got to Howe Sound I learned I was the only person in this tour so I had a lot of time. This was when Amy took over. Amy thoroughly instructed me on maneuvering the kayak on to Howe Sound and let me tell you it was gonna be the beginning of a memorable trip. As we proceeded into the water, we kayaked all around the bay. Amy did a great job in making sure that I am safe. She not only instructed me on getting around in the Kayak, but also guided be around Squamish. She showed me "The Chief" a significant granular structure, Shannon Falls, the import ships, the gondola that goes up the mountain and the estuary. We also saw a Harbor Seal popping its head above the water as well I just had such a blast the weather was calm. It was early in the morning and the place was placate and serene. As I learned from Amy morning times are the best time for kayaking because waves are much more subtle and therefore easier on the arms. That whole morning was like an escape from the real world of pressure, Type A personalities, and malicious cadiness of our 9-5 lives. Thank you Sea To Sky and most of all thank you Amy for being an outstanding Kayak instructor and tour guide and Elise for being a great driver as well.

    Photos
    Sea to Sky Adventure Company - Experience Squamish's 200km of sweet singletrack.

    Experience Squamish's 200km of sweet singletrack.

    Sea to Sky Adventure Company - Our office at the Squamish Adventure Centre

    Our office at the Squamish Adventure Centre

    Sea to Sky Adventure Company - Montain bike lesson with Sea to Sky Adventure Company

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    Montain bike lesson with Sea to Sky Adventure Company

    Sea to Summit Trail

    Sea to Summit Trail

    5.0(1 review)
    1.7 km

    I decided to hike to Sea to Summit Trail in Squamish after my financial advisor who is a runner…read moretold me that she's done it a few times and she recommends it. The entrance to the trail is behind the main entrance to the Sea to Sky Gondola. Since the Sea to Sky Gondola had a three-hour limit for parking, I parked at Shannon Falls Province Park. Also, there are free shuttle services from the Darrell Bay Parking lot on the weekends to the base of the Sea to Sky Gondola for hikers and Gondola riders -- every 15 minutes. I came here on B.C. Day during the long weekend, and it was a very warm and sunny 30 Celsius! The starting area of the Sea to Summit Trail is the same as Stawamus Chief Trail, but you will have to make a right turn after you head up a very steep climb. You will have to be very careful because it is very easy to miss the right turn to officially start the Sea to Summit Trail. Watch for the signs! If you miss the turn, you will end up going to the Stawamus Chief Trail system. The 7.5-km hike was technical and challenging for some areas, and it was much more difficult than the Grouse Grind. There were a few trails, but a lot of the hiking was trekking through dirt, roots and rocks. I had to use the green diamond shaped markers on the trees to tell me where I had to go. I will say that the climbing aspect was more technical than the Squamish 50 which was rated as tough. In addition, you will have to do some rock climbing. Although it was my first time, I highly recommend hiking it on a sunny dry day because wet weather will make the terrain very slippery, especially for the rocky sections. There were some steep sections and chains and ropes were provided. One area, after the Gondola passing, had a large vertical shaped rock which I had to climb and I had to pull myself over it. Luckily, I had grippy shoes, but it took me two tries to climb up the large steep rock and there were no aided ropes or chains. You will also hike past Shannon Falls and Shannon Creek which some hikers use it for refilling their hydration system. My favourite sections were the gondola passing area and I also very much enjoyed the section right after the 1/2 way marker which had a breathtaking view of Howe sound. Near the end of the hike, there were two choices to the summit. Shannon Basin Loop, which was 3.5 km and it, was rated as easy. The second choice was Upper Sea to Summit which was rated as most difficult and it was 2.3km. I took the Upper Sea to Summit trail, and it felt that it wasn't difficult at all. It was probably the easiest part of the hike. There were some steep rocky climbing areas, but ropes were provided and it was a sunny dry day, so it wasn't slippery at all. This was a challenging and enjoyable hike. The scenery was beautiful, and it wasn't crowded like the Stawamus Chief Trail. Just remember to wear grippy footwear, brings lots of water and snacks. Also, remember to bring cash or your credit card because going down on the Gondola will cost you 15 dollars.

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    Sea to Summit Trail
    Sea to Summit Trail
    Sea to Summit Trail

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    Squamish Watersports

    Squamish Watersports

    3.6(5 reviews)
    1.8 km

    Excellent customer service | fun on the water…read more Visiting Squamish, we initially came here to climb for the whole week. We took a couple off days and one of those days was spent renting a canoe through this company. This company has it all: rentals, tours, and lessons. Kayaking, canoeing, SUPing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding...etc. We decided to go with the inflatable canoe allowing us for more flexibility to transport it, plus it saved us time to blow up/take down. I believe it came out to be about $100 for 3-4 hrs. They also have wetsuits, snacks, beverages, water accessories at the front desk in case you need anything before you set off on your adventure. We canoed on the lake at Murrin Park. It was so nice out and the launch area was open and easy. There is a picnic area too. Another great location to take the canoe out is at Alice Lake. Both of these locations are nearby. We went with these locations because we wanted a kid-friendly, easy/calm area to paddle around without much resistance. The afternoon wind kicks up and water gets more choppy in the Howe Sound. One important thing to note about customer service: our seats didn't work for us in one of the canoes (broken from lots of use) so after telling one of the workers upon returning it, they gave us a free 3-4hr ride session next time we come back. They're supposed to check their gear before letting us go off on our adventure. We really appreciated it!

    Big thanks to these guys for kicking off our buddy's bachelor party with a wakeboarding lesson…read more Nico was driving our boat and was awesome all around. All four of us newbies got great rides in after learning all his tips, and he was a great time to hang out with. The views from the Howe Sound were epic! Highly recommend giving this a go, and ask for Nico!

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    Squamish Watersports
    Squamish Watersports
    Squamish Watersports

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    Whistler Eco Tours

    Whistler Eco Tours

    4.8(5 reviews)
    49.6 km

    Ever feel like the challenges of life are closing in on you? Sometimes it just feels like it is…read moreonly a matter of time before you succumb to those pressures and demands. It feels not so much a question of if, but when, you'll finally be consumed by them. And then, often by accident, life takes an unexpected turn and you are provided an opportunity to choose to push the eject button (that's been right in front of longer than you realized) and propel yourself into what feels like an alternative universe. A place that allows you to unplug from the breakneck pace of today's society, take a deep breath, and finally linger in the bliss of just being present. No chirping cell phones, no calendar reminders, no bills to receive, no health concerns to ponder, and no need to make plans for the future. An all too brief respite from what emotionally entangles you and seeks to rob you of your peace and your purpose. Without planning it, we fell into such a rabbit hole while floating down the River of Golden Dreams (its actual name). A little rowing (and a lot of just floating) later, we arrived at Green Lake and just allowed the wind to help us drift across glacial waters so green we felt like they can be seen from outer space. We dipped our hands into that water, splashed it around a bit, and pondered just how much time and attention it voluntarily sacrifices to the stresses of today. It whispered its response back to us, "None." So what to do if Green Lake doesn't happen to be in your backyard, and yet an escape is exactly what you need right about now? Good question! We're on this journey right alongside of you, so while we're pursuing our "Green Lake escape", we wish you good fortune in discovering yours! (In keeping with Canadian tradition, we were careful to pack an "Oh Henry!" bar as part of the emergency rations for us and our tour guide Peter.) And that's...Henry's Take. #celebratelife #justbreathe #wetadventures

    Head over to Wayside Park where there's a tiny parking lot or a turnout on the side of the freeway,…read morewhich can be easy to miss. Walk down the path where you find a nice little park with people lounging and participating in water activities. We struggled and found ourselves in the village until we called to ask where exactly they were located. The rental cabin here is situated right on the end of Alta Lake with canoes, kayaks, etc. for rent. We signed a waiver, got a quick lesson, and were pretty much off with our kayak for $30 CAD/hour. They provided lifejackets, paddles, and even a waterproof pouch to store your things. If you're smart, bring a nice beer or drink along as they have cupholder in the kayak. Even though this was my second time kayaking, it's easy to pick up. Unfortunately, I am still terrible at it and totally lack the strength and direction to pull through. Thank goodness we got the two-person kayak, so I had help --lots of help. You can make it across the entire lake and back within the hour, which was all we needed.

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    Whistler Eco Tours
    Whistler Eco Tours
    Whistler Eco Tours

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    Garibaldi Provincial Park - hiking - Updated May 2026

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