LivingTravelGaribaldi Lake: The Complete Guide

Garibaldi Lake: The Complete Guide

One of southern British Columbia’s best-known hiking destinations, Lake Garibaldi, is located about 70 kilometers north of Vancouver, 37 kilometers north of Squamish, and 19 kilometers south of Whistler. As part of the impressive landscape of Garibaldi Provincial Park (and its 90 kilometers of hiking trails), Lake Garibaldi is 1,484 meters (4,869 feet) above sea level and reaches about 260 meters (849 feet) of depth at some points. Visitors come here in the summer to enjoy hiking and camping around the alpine lake, which has a beautiful aquamarine hue and is surrounded by a backdrop of spectacular volcanic mountains.

Story

About 9,000 years ago, Lake Garibaldi was formed when lava flow from Mount Price and Clinker Peak volcanoes blocked the valley, creating a natural dam (known locally as “La Barrera”), which is more than 300 meters thick and more than two kilometers wide. Meltwater from Sentinel Glacier and Sphinx Glacier has been trapped behind the dam for millennia, forming what we now call Lake Garibaldi. It is estimated that if Lake Garibaldi were ever to explode, its prey would hit Squamish with a force equivalent to 200 times the force of an atomic bomb.

What to do there

Part of the beautiful Garibaldi Provincial Park, Lake Garibaldi is a glacier-fed body of water that features stunning landscapes of volcanic ridges and turquoise waters, a perfect subject to capture for photographers traveling to the area. As the nearby Sphinx Glacier and Sentinel Glacier continue to erode, mineral-rich ‘rock meal’ seeps into the lake and refracts sunlight to create a rich aquamarine hue. The most popular hike for intermediate and advanced hikers is Lake Garibaldi’s most popular hike.

Hiking

Garibaldi Lake Hike is an 18 kilometer round trip hike with an elevation gain of 900 meters. It takes approximately two and a half to three and a half hours each way and is the shortest route to the base of the lake. This intermediate expert hike is accessible in the summer months of July through September when the snow has melted, although there could always be patches at this altitude. Note that at any given time, the high-altitude lake is about 50 degrees F (10 degrees Celsius) cooler than Squamish, and the weather is highly changeable, so be prepared with appropriate, layered clothing and footwear.

Drink lots of water, snacks, and prepare in time for breaks and sightseeing (you’ll want to take lots of photos!).
Garibaldi Lake Hike starts from the Rubble Creek parking lot and begins with a well-established trail through tall trees before beginning 6 kilometers of curves to gain altitude. At the lookout, the trail is leveled to provide incredible views of The Barrier, and from here, you can follow the trail markers to Garibaldi Lake Campground, which is about 3 miles from that point.

It’s pretty flat, but be careful because there are a lot of roots and rocks that will trip you up, especially if you’re tired and carrying your backpack. Continue walking around two smaller lakes, as you descend and the trail opens up to a stunning view of Lake Garibaldi and its Castle Towers mountain behind. Take the boardwalk around the lake to reach Garibaldi Lake Campground (be sure to make a reservation before you go). Taylor Meadows and Helm Creek Campgrounds are also nearby. To get to Taylor Meadows, take an alternate route after the bends and head through the alpine meadows to find the campground.

Always plan your route carefully in advance, walk with a friend, and let someone else know about your travel plan.
Beyond Lake Garibaldi, there are the more challenging Black Tusk and Panorama Ridge hikes that stretch from the Lake Garibaldi hike to climb higher for even more spectacular views of the lake and peaks. These hikes should only be tackled by experienced hikers in the height of summer (late July to September) when the snow is clear.

Camping

Since January 2018, visitors must make year-round reservations at Garibaldi Lake Campground and Taylor Meadows Campground before arriving. Book in advance through the BC Parks Reservation Service website.

The camps have toilets and access to clean water but no electricity, so pack accordingly. Taylor Meadows Campground offers views of the mighty Black Tusk and is reached by another 20-minute uphill hike from the detour point on the Garibaldi Lake Hike.

Get there

Drive from Vancouver over the sea to Sky Highway, and when you are about 37 kilometers north of Squamish, take the Rubble Creek exit onto Garibaldi Lake Road on your right, and then follow the road (paved) for 2.5 kilometers to reach the parking lot a lot of. Keep in mind that the Rubble Creek parking lot fills up quickly in the summer and on weekends, so try to get there as early as possible to beat the crowds.

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