Squamish and Whistler Area

Due to the distance from Vancouver, this area should be considered for overnight trips or long day trips.

Diamond Head (Garibaldi Provincial Park)

Starting at the parking lot located at the trailhead, an old road goes to Red Heather Meadows. [Do not leave valuables in any vehicles parked here.] A cabin is located here (complete with a wood stove, propane gas stove and picnic tables). A back country campsite is nearby and there is an outhouse. Fees are charged for use of the campsites. This site is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from the parking lot.

The area around the cabin at Red Heather Meadows is especially beautiful in the Fall when the surrounding Heather turns various shades of red (hence, the name). Note that Black Bears are common in this area, especially in the fall; be bear aware. For general guidelines on bear safety, visit the Parks Canada 'You Are in Bear Country' page at: http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/docs/pc/guide/nature/nature02_e.asp.

For a longer hike, continue from Red Heather Meadows to Elfin Lake via Paul Ridge. The summer route along the north side of Paul Ridge offers spectacular views of Mount Garibaldi. The trail is well developed and virtually impossible to miss. Early in the season, follow the winter route (if there is snow, the route is usually marked by red poles stuck in the snow at regular intervals) to avoid potential avalanches on the North side of the ridge.

There is another campsite at Elfin Lake with facilities similar to Red Heather Meadows (along with another shelter, this one complete with; a propane heater and propane lighting on the main floor and rustic bunks in the upper floor for up to 33 people). Fees are charged - per person - for use of the cabin and per campsite.

Other destinations are available from here. Mamquam lake is a strenuous but rewarding day hike from here. (Approximately 24 kilometres return to Elfin Lake. Can be done as a day-long return trip if based at Elfin Lake.) This day trip offers good scenery (glaciers, small glacial lakes, glaciated landscape, etc.) but is long. It may be necessary to ford Ring Creek near the beginning of this trip; use caution and remember that the level of the water generally rises [sometimes dramatically] later in the day if you are crossing in the morning.

Access to the Diamond Head area is from the main intersection on Highway 99 at Squamish (traffic light and McDonald's) north and watch for sign indicating Diamond Head (Garibaldi Park). If you are on Highway 99 and come to another traffic light, you have missed the turn. Turn right as indicated and pass the golf course and cross the bridge. From here to the trailhead, the road is gravel and can its condition can vary. Check condition of the road before committing your car and any others to it; it is usually okay if travelled slowly. Beware of Winter conditions on this road at almost any time.

Black Tusk / Garibaldi Lake (Garibaldi Provincial Park)

This is possibly the most spectacular - and popular - scenery close to Vancouver. This area is good for two to three day Expeditions or Explorations of equal or longer duration (eg. to study the geology of the area).

The main route into the area starts from the trailhead at the parking lot adjacent Rubble Creek and goes to Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Camp. [ Do not leave valuables in vehicles left at the Rubble Creek parking lot. ] The distance from the parking lot to the campsite at Garibaldi Lake is approximately nine kilometres with an elevation gain of 885 metres (yes, you climb a great deal). For a slightly longer hike to Garibaldi Lake, and slightly more elevation, go via Taylor Campground and Black Tusk Meadows and follow the trail (at the junction near the outhouse) back down to the campsite at Garibaldi Lake.

Cooking shelters are located at both Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Camp(complete with a wood stoves and picnic tables). Backcountry campsites are provided at both locations along with food-hangs (cables between trees for hanging food beyond the reach of bears - a short length of rope is required) and outhouses. Fees are charged for use. During the summer months, interpretive programs are provided by Parks staff at both locations. Note: Propane Stoves were removed in November 1995.

Note that during the summer months these two campsites (Garibaldi Lake in particular) are very popular; sites are taken on a first come first served basis.

There are many possibilities for day trips from either campsite. If you are going to climb the Black Tusk itself, helmets should be worn as protection from falling rocks. The most commonly used route up the Black Tusk (not the highest point of the peak; this requires rope and other climbing equipment and skills) requires a climb up a chimney approximately 100 metres long. (Use extreme caution on the descent from the top of the Black Tusk. There are other areas along the top of the peak that - when viewed from above - look similar to the correct route down. Many of these other areas that look like the chimney you came up, end abruptly just out of view. Be sure to go down the same route you came up.)

Should you have any reservations about scrambling up the Black Tusk itself (either yourself or participants), there are other peaks that offer good views and do not require scrambling up exposed areas. Panorama Ridge (South of Black Tusk) is one such alternative which actually gives a better view of Garibaldi Lake than from Black Tusk.

For a longer trip (eg. two nights), an alternative is to hike from the highway to Cheakamus Lake for night one (approximately 12 kilometres, elevation gain of approximately 500 metres), Cheakamus Lake to Taylor Camp for night two (approximately 15 kilometres and net elevation gain of 1680 metres) and out via Garibaldi Lake to the parking lot at Rubble Creek (distance of about 13 kilometres and net loss of about 914 metres). Note that this trip starts at one location (start of road to Cheakamus Lake 48 kilometres north of Squamish) and ends at another (parking lot at Rubble Creek, exit highway 37 kilometres north of Squamish to on paved road that leads to parking lot).

To reach the trailhead for Garibaldi Lake (parking lot adjacent Rubble Creek), follow Highway 99 north from Squamish approximately 37 kilometres north towards Whistler. Signs indicate the turn-off on the right side of the highway - when heading north - and a paved road leads to the Rubble Creek parking lot. If you see the dam at the South End of Daisy Lake from Highway 99 or Daisy Lake itself, you have passed the turn-off.

To reach the road to Cheakamus Lake, follow Highway 99 approximately 48 kilometres north from Squamish(2.5 kilometres south of Whistler). Watch for signs indicating turn-off that is near the Whistler Municipal Hall.