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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Garibaldi Lake Trail: Garibaldi Provincial Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park spans over 194,650 hectares from Whistler to Squamish along the picturesque Sea to Sky Highway. This vast undeveloped expanse offers outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to hike, cycle and camp among snow capped mountains, glacial lakes and forests. Garibaldi Lake is one of its many beautiful waterways - a challenging 9.5km hike takes hikers to the shores of this glacier fed lake 810 meters above the Sea to Sky Highway. Don't miss the opportunity to see the beauty of British Columbia first hand!

View of Garibaldi Lake from Battleship Island in Garibaldi Provincial Park near Whistler, British Columbia.

LOCATION: Garibaldi Provincial Park, 30 kilometres north of Squamish, British Columbia (map)
DISTANCE: 9.5km one way (add 1km for Taylor Meadows)
TIME: Allow 7 hours
POINTS OF INTEREST: The Barrier (keep an eye out for rock slides which happen periodically along this natural volcanic dam - a lookout is situated several hundred meters west of the 6km trail post), Barrier Lake and Lesser Garibaldi Lake, Garibaldi Lake (allow 1-2 hours to explore the 1km network of trails along the lake edge) and Taylor Meadow (late Summer and Autumn sees an abundance of flowers along the trail as well as stunning views of the Black Tusk) [Trail Map]
OTHER INFORMATION: Be prepared for snow on the hiking trails until late summer. Check the BC Parks Garibaldi Provincial Park website for current information on trail conditions. Be sure to bring plenty of water, sturdy hiking boots, flashlights and be sure to stay on the trail at all times. Camping spots are limited and fill up quickly - especially in the Summer months.

Sign Post at the Garibaldi Lake / Black Tusk trail head in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Trail information at the start of the Garibaldi Lake hike at Garibaldi Provincial Park, Whistler. Trail through the forest of Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia. Bridge over waterfall along trail to Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Switchback along trail to Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Rock slide on The Barrier, a natural volcanic dam, in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Signpost along the Garibaldi Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Lookout across from The Barrier in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Barrier Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Waterfall along the Garibaldi Lake trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Snow capped mountains and trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Mountain reflection in Garibaldi Lake at Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Battleship Island on Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Snowy mountains across Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Chipmunk on rock at Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. View of Black Tusk from Garibaldi Lake at Garibaldi Provincial Park. Whisky Jack on trail post in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Lupines along trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. Black Tusk from Taylor Meadows in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia.