Garibaldi Provincial Park is the massive . We'll be renting majority of our gear and plan to go mid-end September. Hiking poles. Visit 3 Hourly, Hourly and Historical . Dogs aren't allowed on this trail. It is somehow hard on 2WD but still doable. In the winter this little hut is a welcome place for skiers and snowshoers to warm up. By the time we hiked up to nearby Elfin Lakes in early February the snow base had already hit 275 cm (over 9ft!). At Elfin Lakes, Columnar Peak, the Gargoyles, Opal Cone and Mamquam Icefield come into view. Update June 2022: Some BC Parks, including Garibaldi Provincial Park (where Cheakamus Lake is) require Day-Use Passes. Driving Time from Vancouver:1 hour 30 minutesTrailhead Coordinates: 49.750175, -123.053186. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outdoorvancouver_ca-medrectangle-4','ezslot_7',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorvancouver_ca-medrectangle-4-0');*For a better understanding of the stats and difficulty rating, check out the Hiking Guides page for details. We drove through Quest University to where the paved road ends and the dirt road begins. Take sea-to-sky Hwy to Squamish. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. From Whistler Village, the trailhead is just over an hours drive away, located near the south end of Garibaldi Provincial Park. The trail is 21km return. by Taryn Eyton Dogs at Joffre | Dogs are not allowed at Joffre Lakes. It took 4 hours up . minecraft easter egg hunt; structural engineer courses uk; 4 ingredient white bread; best hikes near pahrump best hikes near pahrump Drive on this gravel road for 7.8Km. The trail to Elfin Lakes is 11 km (7 miles) one way with an elevation gain of 600 m (1969 ft). Be More Pacific Forest Unisex Longsleeve. Bring some type of bag or dry sack that you can hook onto the bear hang. The long days of summer are a great time to tackle more challenging mountain hikes. We waited a few minutes and as we hiked by we could see her up the hill at the base of a tree looking up at her cubs. Wed like to rely on loyal readers, rather than erratic ads to keep this site going. The first 3 miles are on the relatively easy slope of a decommissioned forest service road. star star star star star . A creek at the 2.5 km mark features a waterfall that has dries to a trickle in late summer. [:p]-----"Anything is Possible" Reservations can be made with BC Parks. Disclaimer: The information in this website should not be taken as accurate, complete or up-to-date. Hiking. It's also a long hike, 9km to the lake, so 18km in total. Or does someone have some pros and cons of each for our experience levels? Always carry The Essentials and fill out a trip plan. The material on this website may not be cached, distributed, reproduced, transmitted, or otherwise used without the prior permission of Destination Vancouver. If you find our content helpful, please support us via PayPal or Patreon. There are several camping options around Elfin Lakes and in the. Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Park is an absolutely phenomenal, though long, hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing trail that begins at the Diamond Head area in Squamish. Garibaldi Park Road is another 4.7Km to the parking and is a rougher road. There is also a list of other ways you can support Outdoor Vancouver here!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorvancouver_ca-leader-1','ezslot_14',152,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorvancouver_ca-leader-1-0'); Becoming a Patron through Patreon unlocks membership benefits and rewards. More information about winter travel and avalanche safety can be read here. This road takes you on a gradual uphill for quite some time. Day Passes: Starting in late June 2022, you must book a BC Parks day pass parking pass to visit Garibaldi Provincial Park. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. SUMMARY: Total ascent by winter route along Paul ridge: 1430m create. The park has enough pullies in place to accommodate everybody. This is a perfect weekend getaway for a group of friends! Another draw for this hike is the ability to sleep in the heated Elfin Lakes shelter (details below). and our Is there avalanche terrain enroute to Elfin Lakes Hut? There will be a few quick views to the west through the trees if you keep your eyes peeled, but most of the trail to the Red Heather shelter is within the forest. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Looking for the most amazing hikes near Vancouver? A free Day-Use Pass is required to hike this trail beginning June 17, 2022. I have M+S rated winter tires. Elfin Lakes are two small lakes located in the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, British Columbia. 1.1. Aug 14, 2020. Fees Per Night: $10 Adult - $5 Kids(6-15) Campsite fees must be paid . Many people day-hike to the Red Heather shelter, and enjoy some backcountry snowboarding and skiing along Paul Ridge before heading back to the parking lot.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'outdoorvancouver_ca-box-4','ezslot_8',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorvancouver_ca-box-4-0');Red Heather Hut. 2. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Today we hike and camp on the top of Elfin Lakes outside of Vancouver, Canada. From the parking lot, the first five kilometres of the hike are fairly straightforward as the trail climbs gradually through the forest. It's popular for it's easy and well-marked access, proximity to Vancouver, sub-alpine touring potential, and gorgeous setting. About five kilometres from the start, emerge from the forest into open subalpine meadows and arrive at the Red Heather Hut day use shelter. You will receive the file immediately in your email, and will also receive the free monthly Outdoor Vancouver newsletter. It is well graded with some occasional post holes. After hiking for about 5km, we arrive at Red Heather Meadows where there is an outhouse and a shelter. I'm torn between doing an overnight or 2 night camp with my siblings at Kicking Horse campsite (3 bothers peak + Heather trail) or Elfin Lake (smaller day hikes at the top). It is a bumpy ride so not an easy ride. You should check this information yourself. It is incredible how much snow there still is were talking 2-3 metres of snow still at the campground. Estimated time to Elfin Lakes in winter is 3-5 hours. Continue as the trail makes a sharp left and begins . Running into the arms of Mother Nature, I feel the peace, see the true . Eventually the trail continues to level and as you approach you see Elfin Lakes in the distance. Kids under 6 are free. Which seems totally absolutely bonkers crazy. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca. Unlike most mountain bike trails which are single track, the Elfin Lakes trail is a double track the entire way and across a fire road. Turn right on Mamquam Road in Squamish, then left on Highland Way. At this junction there is a sign hikers to the left and bikers to the right. Most of the hike to Elfin Lakes is along an old logging road, with plenty of room for 2 or 3 people to walk abreast. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Make sure you have some type of water filtration system. Click here to read our guide to snowshoeing in and around southwest B.C. The trail itself is a steady uphill, 11 km climb to reach the hut at Elfin Lakes. Search from Elfin Lakes Pictures stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. I believe him and I think his wife does too!!!! This is a fairly arduous hike past the Gargoyles (strange visages sculptured by nature in lava) to 2,100 metre Little Diamond Head. Privacy Policy. Ideally, the tires of your bike should be fat and aired up to the optimum psi for a comfortable ride. The hike is about 11 kilometres to the Elfin Lakes campground/shelter and should take you approximately 3 hours. Start the Elfin Lakes hike within the Diamond Heads parking lot, near the yellow gates. Elfin Lakes is located near Squamish, north of Vancouver, BC. What to Know: Elfin Lakes are two lakes found in Garibaldi Provincial Park located near Squamish, BC. Elfin Lakes 29/12/12. View Matt's activity. Showers, flush toilets and water taps are all closed for the winter. Search from Elfin Lakes stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. Follow the Marked Trail Not the Ski Tracks You will see plenty of ski tracks zig-zagging in every direction along the trail. Elfin Lakes Hike Information Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 22Km Elevation Gain: 821m Highest Elevation: 1,602m Average Gradient: 5.45% Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / High Time Needed: - Slow: 7 - 9 Hours - Moderate: 6 - 7 Hours - Fast: 5 - 6 Hours Dogs Permitted? The Elfin Lakes Hut, campground, and ranger station are located just beyond the northern lake. Which is crazy. We made noise, it looked back at us and meandered its way off the trail into the distance. At the parking lot is an information area and an outhouse. From Whistler Village, the trailhead is just over an hours drive away, located near the south end of Garibaldi Park . Turn off of Highway 99 onto Mamquam Road (just south of the Canadian Tire in Squamish). Vehicle passes are valid for a maximum of 8 people (adult or child) travelling in the same vehicle per pass per day. Snowshoes or crampons/spikes are a must or youll have a miserable hike. The incline is pretty gentle and the trail is well maintained. The hike is a gradual climb over an 11km dis. The second lake is for drinking water and swimming is forbidden. Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park is an absolutely phenomenal, though long, hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing trail that begins at the Diamond Head area in Squamish. Opal Cone Elfin Lakes moderate (1667) Garibaldi Provincial Park Photos (1,749) Directions Print/PDF Map Share Discover this 12.5-mile out-and-back trail near Squamish, British Columbia. Turn right on Mamquam Road where there is Canadian Tires on north-east corner. 2022 Destination Vancouver. This popular camping spot in the summer, turns into a winter wonderland for backcountry enthusiasts in the winter. Be curious if that other lake could be done in a day or what else is around Elfin Lake. As of July 2021, folks coming to Garibaldi Provincial Park must reserve a free day-use permit before arriving. A free Day-Use Pass is required to hike this trail beginning June 17, 2022. Needed a pass to park. Featuring over 130 hiking trails around Vancouver, this eBook, produced by Outdoor Vancouver, is your guide to the best hikes in southwest British Columbia. As it promised to be a rare (so far) day of good weekend weather we headed up to Garibaldi Park to Elfin Lakes.. As the only legal biking trail in Garibaldi Park, the doubletrack to Elfin Lakes is not aesthetic singletrack by any means. Swimming | The water is suitable to swim in during the heat of the summer. It was walking ahead of us on the trail. Watch for the left turn onto Garibaldi Park Road and follow it to its end at the parking lot. 2/3 of the hike is not very scenic with just pine trees and vegetation, no flowers. This is a good thing as swimming in Cheakamus Lake is bitterly cold. They chose to not maintain it and built the new Elfin Lakes shelter a few metres south. This dirt road takes you to the Diamondhead Trailhead. Bikes are - though some years you won't get past the Red Heather Shelter because of snow. Day-Use Pass. The times Ive slept at the hut, its been a blast, meeting a group of friendly new people playing board games and trading hiking stories. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 24 min to complete. Description. Garibaldi Park is the massive wilderness park of nearly two thousand square kilometres that stretches . 2 m/s. There is a small overflow parking on the side at 2.7Km from the beginning of Garibaldi Park Road which can park and walk the 2Km to the trail head. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. The trailhead is at 3200 ft. Follow the paved road past the Squamish Golf and Country Club. The parking lot is at a lofty 960 meters above sea level, a welcome boost for anyone carrying a heavy backpack. Plenty of water and food. Forecast as PDF Forecast as SVG. Pit toilets only are available. The remaining 8.5 km of the drive are on a gravel road that is bumpy and dusty, but fine for 2WD vehicles if you go slowly. The road is narrow, and its not worth taking chances if your car is not winter-ready, as more than a few cars have fallen off this road before. Reservations can be made with BC Parks. Awoke at 5:45am to ensure I was fully awake and logged in to the Discover Camping reservation system to obtain the required Garibaldi Park (Diamonhead Trailhead) free Day Use Pass from BC Parks. on August 1, 2022, Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park. The altitude at the parking lot is 950m. Just out of the tree line was full on snow all the way to lake. Drive West towards Horseshoe Bay. A free Day-Use Pass is required to hike this trail beginning June 17, 2022. Garibaldi Provincial Park: Elfin Lakes & Diamond Head. The cabin is two floors, with bunks on top, and a kitchen and a recreation area on the bottom. Check the signs though as one lake is used for drinking and the other for swimming. Manage Settings Elfin Lakes Winter Route - the basics Distance: 22 km Elevation gain: 685 m Highest Point: 1600 m Time: 6-7 hours (It took us 6 hours) What to bring: Snowshoes, skis or at least microspikes. A bit of a scary road to get up there, I hear. I have done it many times, either as a day trip to the Elfin Lakes or as an overnight trip that continued farther to Mamquam Lakes via the O Getting There: From Vancouver, go north on Highway 1 and then Highway 99 to Squamish. Find out more about BC Parks' free day-use pass program. It's a 22km return hike to the Elfin shelter and it's not too arduous if you decide to split it over 2 days as we did. The ride's distance is 21 km with an elevation ride of 935 meters. The bulk of the trail is on an old road, which makes for easy walking. Garibaldi Park has an interesting geological background . Elfin Lakes are two small lakes located in the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, British Columbia. Guides for 10 amazing hikes near Vancouver Hiking safety and trail etiquette Resources, hiking gear overview, and more! The route staked by BC Parks takes you through a safe route, but you should always be prepared with beacon, probe and shovel, the proper education, and check avalanche conditions prior to heading out into the snow. The best times to visit this trail are April through November. Enter your email to receive free PDF version of this guide. You also get the added bonus of going for a dip in Elfin Lakes. Inside Vancouver is a multi-author blog, written by Vancouverites about Vancouver. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'outdoorvancouver_ca-banner-1','ezslot_12',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorvancouver_ca-banner-1-0');Once youve reached the hut, you can go inside to warm up, eat, and hopefully grab a bunk to sleep in. Further down the trail is the tent pad area, an outhouse and the overnight shelter. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The elfin shelter/hut can now be reserved in advance; no idea what happens if you show up without one. Turn onto Highland Way South and turn east at the roundabout. Camping at the Elfin Lakes shelter opens up the opportunity to other nearby hikes like Gargoyles, Opal Cone and Mamquam Lake. Up to the porta pottie was pretty chill and then things picked up. jane elliot reviewed Elfin Lakes. We drove the dirt road for several kilometers and arrived at the parking lot around 9am. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Winter camping is permitted here outside the hut. 6. Columnar Peak. Snow tires and tire chains are required along the road in. Photo: Pranav Prashar/Unsplash. Passes are free and can be reserved online. This will make the distance far more manageable, and allow you to really relax and enjoy the scenery. Elfin Lakes - 72 Reviews Elfin Lakes BC, Canada starstarstarstarstar 4.7 with 24 ratings create Roundtrip: 22.0km Elevation gain: 600m High point: 1410m Time needed: 8 hours Difficulty: Moderate Hiking check_circle Snowshoeing check_circle Backcountry-skiing check_circle Sleeping-shelter check_circle Emergency-hut check_circle Popular check_circle Information on the trail can be found on the park's website, as well as in popular hiking books such as 105 Hikes. At the entry to the parking lot stood a BC Parks worker asking us the purpose of our visit and for our Day Use Pass confirmation number. hi Mick, apparently the summit of Little Diamond Head is a ridge walk from the Brohme Ridge ski area. I'm torn between doing an overnight or 2 night camp with my siblings at Kicking Horse campsite (3 bothers peak + Heather trail) or Elfin Lake (smaller day hikes at the top). The Hike to Elfin Lakes The trail head is at the end of the parking lot beside the trail map/ info area. At the top of the hill, turn right at the roundabout onto The Boulevard. The day before I had ridden the Triple Crown.Sharon had organized so still had a riding itch to be scratched. Photo: Pranav Prashar/Unsplash. Elfin Lake Hike Introduction State: British Columbia Difficulty: Intermediate Type: In and out Parking Permit: No Time: 6 hours Round-Trip: 22 km / 13.6 miles Elevation Gain: 396m / 1,300 ft Season: June - October Camping: Yes From Vancouver: 1 hour 45 minutes Shuttle Service: No Dog Friendly: No Check the forecast and pack extra clothing for the weather. Any snowshoers or ski tourers around Vancouver will likely be familiar with the Elfin Lakes winter trail. Drive about 1.7Km. Once given the info, we were allowed to park in the parking lot. Did you find out any answer to your query yet? From here, once the snow is deep enough, a winter route marked by orange poles will be set up. Just be aware your jumping into a glacier fed lake, the water is very cold, bring a towel. Julian has also written a book on hiking which is considered to be one of the best guides on the subject. This is Mamquam Road, right before the Canadian Tire. There are numerous reports of break-ins in the parking lot, so don't leave any valuables in your vehicle. We are committed to keeping Outdoor Vancouver free and independent, but we need to find other ways to continue operating this site.If you like our hiking guides and would like to help, please consider making a contribution with the PayPal or Patreon links below any amount helps! NOTICEBOARD. Elfin Lakes to Little Diamond Head Overall, the cabin is comfortable and has gas stoves so you can melt some snow for water, and prepare your meals. Julian Hooper has been hiking for many years. Open hourly forecast. The reader is warned that it is unreasonable to rely solely upon the above information. Eventually the owners retired, and ownership was transferred to BC Parks. fullscreen. Elfin Lakes vs Kicking Horse (Manning Park) overnight camping. On the trail up, snow starts between km 2 and 3. Parking Lot to Elfin Lakes Length, 11 km; suggested time, 3 to 5 hours one way; elevation change, 600 metres. The drive in to the trailhead is on logging roads that are have potholes and washboard sections as well as some one lane bridges. Windiest day is expected to see wind of up to 15 kmph / 10 mph on Sun 06. National Park Permits: A park pass is required for all visitors to national parks. Backcountry camping in Garibaldi Provincial Park requires reservation.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'outdoorvancouver_ca-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',151,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorvancouver_ca-large-leaderboard-2-0'); To get to the trail from Vancouver, take Highway 99 just north past Squamish. Watch for a peek-a-boo viewpoint of the Squamish Valley below. Park Rangers will turn around hikers with dogs as of summer 2018. The Trail: The route to Elfin Lakes is long, but since the trail is well-graded and never very steep, it isnt too hard for fit and experienced hikers. The cabin itself is fully stocked with 8 gas . It is likely that you can drive to that turn off in Winter as the altitude there is 600m. Elfin Lakes Hike Stats Rating: Moderate Distance: 22 km Net Elevation Change*: 600 m Highest Point: 1,590 m Time Needed: 6 Hours Type: Out and back Season: July to October Dogs Allowed: No Est. We've only ever backcountry camped once before but are fairly experienced day hikers. Image of environment, garibaldi, mountain - 63667664 Use the park map to stay on track. The snow situation can sometimes be even tough on 4x4 vehicles with chains or snowtires. Accessing this park is done via several main trailheads along the Sea to Sky Highway, but to access the Elfin Lakes backcountry hut, the Diamond Head Trailhead is the shortest and most widely used. Some forest openings may involve the runout zones of infrequent avalanches. For more information, please see our The upper lake is larger and people are able to swim in this lake. The total hiking distance is 22 kilometres return (13.6 miles). The old road here was once the stretch of trail that would bring guests and supplies to the once famed Diamond Head Lodge. Check out our tips for safe summer hiking in Vancouver for more advice. By providing this information, Bottletop Media does not assume any liability for the use of this information by our readers.Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions. Solo hike Elfin Lakes and The Gargolyes August 14, 2020. Learn More. Climbers have come to scale several challenging peaks within the park including Mount . Dogs are not allowed. It varies greatly depending on conditions and how . You should check this information yourself.