Passes are available to reserve starting at 7 a.m. two days in advance of your planned visit. Less a kilometre later, rejoin the old road on the shoulder of Round Mountain. 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 trail itself is a steady uphill, 11 km climb to reach the hut at Elfin Lakes. It is a bumpy ride so not an easy ride. The trailhead is a parking lot within Garibaldi Provincial Park. 1.1. Click here to read our guide to snowshoeing in and around southwest B.C. We've only ever backcountry camped once before but are fairly experienced day hikers. This is a very popular area for hiking, backpacking, and cross-country skiing. It varies greatly depending on conditions and how . The hike is about 11 kilometres to the Elfin Lakes campground/shelter and should take you approximately 3 hours. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Elfin Lakes is located near Squamish, north of Vancouver, BC. Elfin Lakes Winter Trail Stats Rating: Difficult Distance: 22 km Net Elevation Change*: 700 m Highest Point: 1,660 m (Paul Ridge) Time Needed: 7 to 10 hours (or overnight) Type: Out-and-back Season: November to July Dogs Allowed: No Est. I believe him and I think his wife does too!!!! You will eventually see another sign pointing you left, for Garibaldi Park Diamond Head. Thanks in advance. Are hiking boots the same size as sneakers? Running into the arms of Mother Nature, I feel the peace, see the true . There are numerous reports of break-ins in the parking lot, so don't leave any valuables in your vehicle. What to Know: Elfin Lakes are two lakes found in Garibaldi Provincial Park located near Squamish, BC. The 10 Essentials Facilities: There is a toilet at the trailhead, in the middle (about 5 km in) and at the campground Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Advertising revenue is falling quickly across the internet, and independently-run sites like Outdoor Vancouver are hit hardest by it. It's popular for it's easy and well-marked access, proximity to Vancouver, sub-alpine touring potential, and gorgeous setting. 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. Snow tires and tire chains are required along the road in. Shortly after beginning the ascent, youll reach a switchback going to your left, and continue your uphill march. Bring a swimsuit and towel. Follow the paved road past the Squamish Golf and Country Club. By providing this information, Bottletop Media does not assume any liability for the use of this information by our readers. 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. The trail from the parking lot to Elfin Lakes only requires 600 meters of elevation gain and is a round-trip of 22km, making it one of the easier backcountry hikes north of Vancouver's north shore mountains. About as popular a hut as you can get, Elfin Lakes Shelter is right in the heart of the Diamond Head section of Garibaldi Provincial Park accessed from Squamish, BC. Hiking. As we continue past the shelter, the trail narrows for about a kilometer and then splits into a gravel trail. I would also recommend bringing earplugs, as it can get pretty loud when you are trying to sleep if there are night owls and the inevitable snorers. Join us at patreon.com/outdoorvancouver. FROM SQUAMISH Turn east off Hwy 99 onto Mamquam Road, which is 4 km north of downtown Squamish. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. They chose to not maintain it and built the new Elfin Lakes shelter a few metres south. Do you need a pass to hike to Kinney Lake? minecraft easter egg hunt; structural engineer courses uk; 4 ingredient white bread; best hikes near pahrump best hikes near pahrump Visitor Experiences "Dr. James Dobson said he's had more pussy then me. 4 Reviews of Gargoyles (from Elfin Lakes) "We did this one as a side trip from the Elfin Lakes shelter. From the Diamond Head parking lot, the first 5 km of the trail are the steepest of the day. Take sea-to-sky Hwy to Squamish. (There is no swimming in the northern lake since it is a drinking water source.) The cabin itself is fully stocked with 8 gas . Season passes available at Elfin Lake (cash or check): Residents: $65 Non-residents: $75 No refunds Daily Rates* Adults: $3.00 2-17 yrs: $1.50 Under 2 is Free Free after 6:00 p.m. *Group rates for 10 or more - $2 for adults and $1 for 2-17yrs (Groups larger than 25 require their own lifeguard). and our Hike to pristine alpine flats with two lakes near Squamish, British Columbia and enjoy stunning views of Canada's Mount Garibaldi from the ridge of Round Mountain. For the first 5km, you ascend uphill along a . We drove the dirt road for several kilometers and arrived at the parking lot around 9am. It is incredible how much snow there still is were talking 2-3 metres of snow still at the campground. Elfin Lakes is a local favourite hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and snowshoe trail located in Garibaldi Provincial Park just outside of Squamish, B.C. A maximum of 4 passes may be booked per transaction. Time: 6- 8 hours for 22km round trip. Reservations can be made with BC Parks. Solo hike Elfin Lakes and The Gargolyes August 14, 2020. Min temperature will be -28c / -18f on Tue 08. 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. Needed a pass to park. In the winter this little hut is a welcome place for skiers and snowshoers to warm up. The trailhead is about a 30 minute drive from downtown Squamish, although tire chains are mandatory to access the Elfin Lakes/Diamond Head trailhead parking lot. 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. I suppose someone could always ask her. Reserve your free day-use pass at reserve.bcparks.ca/day-use. This is a good thing as swimming in Cheakamus Lake is bitterly cold. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'outdoorvancouver_ca-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorvancouver_ca-medrectangle-3-0'); The elevation gain is 600 m, with the highest point of the hike reaching about 1,660 m along Paul Ridge before you descend to the Elfin Lakes hut at 1,470 m. There are spectacular views of nearby mountain peaks along the way to thelakesas you make your way along the marked snowshoe trail. The city's endless rain accumulates in the hills as impossibly deep snow. More information about winter travel and avalanche safety can be read here. It starts at 950m elevation and climbs to the ridge high point at 1,600m and then down to Elfin Lakes at 1,500m. Passes are free and can be reserved online. Every hiker, even folks going on short hikes must obtain the free permit. jane elliot reviewed Elfin Lakes. Youll need to leave pups at home dogs arent allowed on this trail. 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. Drive about 1.7Km. Turn off of Highway 99 onto Mamquam Road (just south of the Canadian Tire in Squamish). The drive in to the trailhead is on logging roads that are have potholes and washboard sections as well as some one lane bridges. Any snowshoers or ski tourers around Vancouver will likely be familiar with the Elfin Lakes winter trail. Turn right on Mamquam Road where there is Canadian Tires on north-east corner. Head out onto the old road and you'll notice the trail immediately climbs uphill. Start the Elfin Lakes hike within the Diamond Heads parking lot, near the yellow gates. Inside Vancouver is a multi-author blog, written by Vancouverites about Vancouver. The elfin shelter/hut can now be reserved in advance; no idea what happens if you show up without one. 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. On a sunny and warm day, try to get out early so youll walk on hard and packed snow. We'll be renting majority of our gear and plan to go mid-end September. Click following button or element on the map to see information about it. From the parking lot, pass the yellow gate and begin heading uphill along the wide gravel road. 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. PANORAMA RIDGE TRAIL LENGTH Round trip to the top of Panorama Ridge and back is about 30 km long (so it is extra 6 kilometers one way from Garibaldi Lake) and should take approximately 9-12 hours, making it a very long and demanding day. <p>Kids under 6 are free. The road will steepen and you will pass Quest University. The total hiking distance is 22 kilometres return (13.6 miles). Make a Reservation. Tents at the Elfin Lakes Campground with Mount Garibaldi behind. Wednesday 16 Nov. -3 / -17. Elfin Lakes public shelter closure Site must be reserved online in advance at discovercamping.ca under the backcountry reservations tab. [:p]-----"Anything is Possible" This is the Elfin Lakes trail that is used by hikers and bikers in summer and skiers and snowshoers in the winter. From Whistler Village, the trailhead is just over an hours drive away, located near the south end of Garibaldi Park . National Park Permits: A park pass is required for all visitors to national parks. Day Passes: Starting in late June 2022, you must book a BC Parks day pass parking pass to visit Garibaldi Provincial Park. Table of Contentsshow 1. Trail passes must be booked for each individual person per day. Elfin Lakes to Little Diamond Head Forecast as PDF Forecast as SVG. There are several camping options around Elfin Lakes and in the. 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. No Scrambling / Exposure: None 1.2. Use the park map to stay on track. 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. Julian has also written a book on hiking which is considered to be one of the best guides on the subject. Closed: Berg Lake Trail is closed for 2022 The entire trail, including the parking lot, will be CLOSED throughout 2022 for all activities and for both day and overnight users, including, but not limited to: Day hikers. At the parking lot is an information area and an outhouse. The best, or depending on your luck, worst part of staying at the shelter may be your company. Great writeup! It took 4 hours up . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Find the perfect elfin lakes garibaldi provincial park stock photo. Kicking horse is a longer distance with a lesser incline grade which may be nice with the 40+ lb overnight packs but Elfin campground is beautiful and I like the prospect of doing some of the steeper hikes at the top after a good night sleep. After hiking for about 5km, we arrive at Red Heather Meadows where there is an outhouse and a shelter. Watch for a peek-a-boo viewpoint of the Squamish Valley below. Update June 2022: Some BC Parks, including Garibaldi Provincial Park (where Cheakamus Lake is) require Day-Use Passes. On the trail up, snow starts between km 2 and 3. The trail starts to descend toward the lakes and you can see the shelter in the distance. Wed like to rely on loyal readers, rather than erratic ads to keep this site going. There are signs at all junctions. Your Outdoors Bucket List for Winter 2022/23 i November 2022 Vancouver Hike of the Month: Ste Everything You Need to Know About Skiing Near Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival Vancouver Outdoor Community Spotlight: EJ Lan Where to Find Vancouver Area Wading Pools For August 2022 Vancouver Area Hike of the Month: Elfin Lakes. 6. Our goal is to give an insiders view of Vancouver, to provide information, stories and opinions from the locals perspective about this great city. The snow situation can sometimes be even tough on 4x4 vehicles with chains or snowtires. 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! Rating:DifficultDistance:22 kmNet Elevation Change*:700 mHighest Point:1,660 m (Paul Ridge)Time Needed:7 to 10 hours (or overnight)Type:Out-and-back, Season:November to JulyDogs Allowed:NoEst. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Snowshoe Trail Guides / Jan 19th, 2022 by Karl W / 71 Comments. One of the prominent peaks visible along the way will be Atwell Peak the diamond-shaped peak off to the north. Since the early 1900's, hikers have been venturing into Garibaldi Provincial Park to explore and take pleasure in its numerous alpine lakes, ponds, streams and meadows. The hike up to Garibaldi lake is a climb with lots of switchbacks. Ideally, the tires of your bike should be fat and aired up to the optimum psi for a comfortable ride. Reservations can be made with BC Parks. Passes are available to reserve starting at 7 a.m. two days in advance of your planned visit. At this junction there is a sign hikers to the left and bikers to the right. Kicking horse is a longer distance with a lesser incline grade which may be nice with the 40+ lb overnight . 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. The mountainous terrain is home to many trails, high alpine passes, and lakes. As you are driving through Squamish, exit right at the BC Parks sign for Garibaldi Park Diamond Head. Many options to reduce or eliminate exposure. In winter, you should have chains for the tires. There are several camping options around Elfin Lakes and in the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Required fields are marked *. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. Garibaldi Provincial Park is a favorite destination of outdoor enthusiasts: it offers a range of hiking opportunities from lush alpine meadows, wildlife viewing opportunities, alpine flowers blooming in lush meadows, and hikes ranging from a few hours to a few days using map and compass. Useful information for the Elfin Lakes hike. 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. We made noise, it looked back at us and meandered its way off the trail into the distance. However, our journey wasn't as stress-free as we would have liked. This popular camping spot in the summer, turns into a winter wonderland for backcountry enthusiasts in the winter. Trail Info: Moderate/difficult; 22 km round trip, 600 m elevation gain, 6-8 hours, no dogs. In March, April, and May locals and visitors can still enjoy skiing in the alpine, but with the addition of hiking and mountain biking in the valley, and paddle sports in the Howe Sound and surrounding lakes. Photo: Pranav Prashar/Unsplash. The trail is 21km return. If you want to cool down, go for a swim in the southern lake. hi Mick, apparently the summit of Little Diamond Head is a ridge walk from the Brohme Ridge ski area. This is also the area with the most bear activity. Elfin Lakes are two small lakes located in the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, British Columbia. The cabin at Elfin Lakes is a beautiful well maintained shelter in the heart of the Garibaldi Provincial Park. The hike to Elfin Lakes is approximately 11km from the parking lot. Information on the trail can be found on the park's website, as well as in popular hiking books such as 105 Hikes. 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