Garibaldi Lake Hike, British Columbia
The hike to Garibaldi Lake is a cruisy 9 km walk up from Rubble Creek car park (just south of Whistler) on a well graded trail through towering Douglas-fir and western red cedar before leveling out to expose stunning views of Garibaldi Provincial Park and the valley below.
It is worth pointing out that a free Day Use Pass is required in the summer and you can reserve on the park website.
To hike up the Garibaldi Lake Trail, it is recommended that you start out early – preferably by 9 am. Also, make sure you have food and water with you and all the necessary essentials to help keep you safe along the way. Check out Adventure Smart: Hiking Safety Tips You Need to Know.
Whilst walking under the cover of mountain hemlock, you will soon hear the calling sounds of marmots and you may encounter rare mountain goats. Depending when you go, just past the 7 km mark the remnants of winter comes into full swing so expect snow all the way to the lake. Wear decent hiking boots, not trail shoes as your feet will get soaked and cold by the time you end up at the actual lake!
But all of that fades when you make it to the top. Lake Garibaldi is simply stunning. Crunching along the snowy path you will be in a daze, gazing in awe at the sight before you. Pockets of crystalline aquamarine water greet you before you behold the mighty lake in all its grandeur.
It’s the stillness that grabs your attention first. Sitting silently, soaking up the beauty of Mount Garibaldi and its environs, you feel you could have travelled days to reach somewhere as serene.
Once at the top, rest for a while, eat a snack and gaze at the pristine iridescence of the lake.
For camping opportunities in this area and elsewhere in British Columbia go to the Camping Map.
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Note: This hiking blog was originally written by Louise in 2013 and has been significantly updated since that time.
Published: July 17th, 2013
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