The ride's distance is 21 km with an elevation ride of 935 meters. Our reasoning was that it was just after May long weekend and we knew the hut had been fully booked for the last few days. However, the lower lake is reserved strictly for drinking water for the campsite. Elfin Lakes is located near Squamish, north of Vancouver, BC. The road becomes a gravel road. How long is Elfin Lakes hike? The small trail winds through the meadows and eventually leads to a saddle where you then cross a steep slope of rocks. Plenty of water and food. Your email address will not be published. . Directions Print/PDF Map Share Head out on this 20.1-km out-and-back trail near Squamish, British Columbia. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. This is a good place to enjoy a snack and a rest in the shelter. Once you pass where the trail merges with the mountain biking path, youll walk along a gravel path with beautiful views as you ascend along Paul Ridge, which is the highest point of the hike, before descending back down towards Elfin Lakes. The incredible torrent of volcanic rock boulders crashed down the valley more than 6 kilometres at a speed of more than 30 metres per second. 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 widelyused. Its a slightly uphill gradual climb anddidnt take us very long. Shortly before we emerged, what some would say victorious, we came across a group of hikers in converse and jeans. This trail has a habit of making the 22 km roundtrip feel more like a 30 km (18.64 miles) plus ride due to the . Atwell Peak above the Elfin Lakes Campground. You can still use theshelters facilities (stove, very stinky outhouses), but you wont have to sacrifice your sanity when sleeping in a 33 person dorm! Hike to Elfin Lakes Saturday August 24th 8 am led by Marja R. This a challenging hike in Squamish, leading up to Elfin Lakes. Occasionally a park ranger is present at the trailhead to make sure you are booked. Our waterproof boots were soon taken off and bags unpacked and we were on our way to get our valuables. After a short break, we soldiered on with what was probably trench foot by now and were finally close to the car park. From there you will follow the orange pole markers that indicate the winter route. Trail Info: 11 km (8 miles) one way to Elfin Lakes. Elfin lakeshike starts from the Diamond trailhead in the Garibaldi provincial park. Last 10 Km of the drive is through the village road. So be careful if you are driving a car with low ground clearance. There's a few trails in this area you could take to get there but if you have an offline map (strongly recommended) it should be easy to find. Being able to relate to other backcountry explorers like this made it easy to make friends. - street signage is not all that clear. The park is an outdoor adventurer's playground. lake meadows picnic-tables propane-heater propage-lights mountain-biking DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy #1. It is nuzzled between two lakes (one for drinking water, and the other a swimming hole), and the Gargoyle Peaks. * If you are looking for useful information on doing this hike in the Winter/Springscroll to the bottom of the post. Be prepared with water as there is little shade on the trail and some long uphills. All they wanted was to scavenge our crumbs. The trail is clearly marked with orange snow poles. We have learned at the visitor information centre, that the Diamond Head Trail Parking Lot was notorious for break-ins and crime. Scree slopes below Columnar Peak Having slept in our van at the trailhead, 20 km northeast of Squamish, My partner and I woke upearly, after a peaceful nights sleep, ready to hit the trail. Also in this room is seating for about 20 at the table, andtherebench seating lines the outside walls. Garibaldi Provincial Park is the massive . Elfin Lakes is one hiking and camping destination at Garibaldi Provincial Park. Capilano Mountains, West Capilano, Gordon Peak and Beth Mountain. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 24 min to complete. Since we were one of the first ones to get to the shelter on that day we quickly secured bottom bunks and decided to check out the small venue. Most of the trail is along a wide gravel road. However, on the weekends, there could be traffic on the sea to sky highway on the way to Squamish and you can add further 15 minutes to the total duration. Elfin Lakes Guided Hike Itinerary Pick-up Time: 7 AM Pick-up from Canada Place or your Accomodation Drive up the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highyway to trailhead (approx. Below the sleeping area is the kitchen and social area. All-Trails isn't very good. From Elfin Lakes you want to find the trailhead for Mamquam Lake trail. Local Popularity. Monday 7 November 2022:: backpacking vancouverhow to deploy django project on domain. Elfin Lakes is located in the southern area of Garibaldi Provincial Park near the town of Squamish. Tackle the hike to two stunning lakes, one of which you can take a refreshing dip in, and enjoy the surrounding subalpine area. getting there Drive north on I-5 to the Canadian boarder to Trans-Canadian Highway 1. OSM Way. We saw a girl doing this hike in her converse plimsolls. 18 related questions found. The Grind is a 2.9km trail ascending 810 vertical meters along the steep forest of North Vancouver's Grouse Mountain. After a hard-boiled egg and a slice of bread, we embarked on our return journey at ca 6 am. This is north of the smaller lake and to the west of the shelter. 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. There are a few rental places in Squamish. A narrow bridge crosses a rushing river, the trail winds through a rocky arid moonscape on its way to Opal Cone. To get to the trail from Vancouver, take Highway 99 just north past Squamish. The easiest way is to just follow the direction provided by Google on how to get there. By-pass Squamish and cross the Mamquam River. After not talking for a while, because neither of us could think of a nice word to say, we saw the shelter in the distance. There's one big stream you can refill your water bottles from about halfway down to Opal before the big bridge crossing. Elfin Lakes are two small lakes located in the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, British Columbia. The hut sits below MountGaribaldiand is the gateway to many more trails and adventures. 100 in Skiing. Your email address will not be published. And then, finally, youll arrive at Elfin Lakes themselves. There was a snorer in our midst! Information on the trail can be found on the park's website, as well as in popular hiking books such as 105 Hikes. There is also a basic washroom at the trailhead. Hiking the ELFIN LAKES Trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park. After around 10km you will eventually crest over a small hill and receive your first sight of Elfin Lakes. Trail Stats. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. When we first set foot on the snow we quickly realized that we were right. From Elfin Lakes, consider hiking to Mamquam Lake. Elevation gain 600 m (1969 ft). From the read heather hut, you will start seeing the mountain views all around you. These last few kilometres were horrible, the foolishsnowshoers didnt look so foolish now and quite honestly the roles at the start of the trail had been reversed. I could tell he was over hiking in the slushy snow. The hike can be strenuous at times . The Elfin Lakes Hike makes for a perfect day-hike! The vertical distance of the debris flow was over 1000 metres . No need for 4 wheel drive to get to the trailhead, as it is a well maintained road. History. Logistics + Planning Preferable season (s) Summer Spring Congestion Moderate Parking Pass None Open Year-round Yes Pros Amazing views on the ridge. The snowshoers who had decided on their footwear before even seeing the snow were now looking very foolish as they struggled unnecessarily uphill. Required fields are marked *. Head west on the Trans-Canadian Highway. Garibaldi Neve and Mamquam Lake can be seen from the top. Head out onto the old road and you'll notice the trail immediately climbs uphill. The first bit of the trail takes you along a forested old . Solitude. From round mountain, the Elfin lakes are another 4-5 Km. Elfin Lakes Trail - Winter Route is a 302 m black diamond singletrack trail located near Squamish British Columbia. Elfin Lakes are two lakes found in Garibaldi Provincial Park located near Squamish, BC. It's located near Squamish, so you would take Trans Canada Highway #1 and switch to Highway #99 near Horseshoe Bay. The incline is pretty gentle and the trail is well maintained. The road will take you 5km to the shelter at Red Heather Meadows. If youre reading this Nancy then thanks again! . These are actually quite a bit lower than the high point of the hike at around 1,485m, so you will have to ascend somewhat on the return leg of this trip as well. Although we didnt see any, this part of Garibaldi National Park has the highest concentration of black bears so keep an eye out for them if you decide to go! The first half of the trail is along an old service road that leads the first 5km to the Red Heather Hut. It was us who were the smug idiots, in the beginning, later turning into the bitter hikers, struggling with every step. Although we werent prepared for the amount of snow that still lingered on the trail at the end of May, we still had a great time. However not as much was had as we all would have wanted. The Elfin Lakes Trail starts near Squamish close tothe spectacularSea to Sky Highway. It was a fun hike after all, for all Troopers who joined this hike. # 257054100. A BC Parks Day-Use Pass is required to hike the Elfin Lakes Trail. After an hour we were at the top of Pauls Ridge and then slid down the hill toward the Red Heather Hut, where we were again greeted by the resident whiskey jacks begging for food with their serene harmonies. 1 / 20. Turn right on Mamquam Road where there is Canadian Tires on north-east corner. Following the Mamquam Lake trail this entire area is vast and open. You will also see some small waterfalls along the trail. Alpine lake at the top. I have sub-divided elfin lakes trail into the followingsub trails. Is Garibaldi hike hard? All of a sudden the idea of carrying a tent next time didnt seem so bad. Heed avalanche warnings and detours. It is a bumpy ride so not an easy ride. You will also enter a meadow with a lot of seasonal flowers. The red heather hut is for day hikers. The hike is about 11 kilometres to the Elfin Lakes campground/shelter and should take you approximately 3 hours. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and cross-country skiing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. When I am not stuck to my computer editing photos, you can find me hiking somewhere in the mountains. First finding the trailhead out of Squamish, B.C. After pouring what must have been at least a pint of water out of each shoe, I left my soaking footwear (and socks) in the sun in the hope that they would dry at least a little bit overnight. The trail follows Paul Ridge and provides beautiful vistas. The old road here was once the stretch of trail that would bring guests and supplies to the once famed Diamond Head Lodge. There is also a basic washroom at the trailhead. The other side of the bottom floor is the kitchen and eating area. Elfin Lakes trail is a beautifulhike, but if we were going to repeat it, we would do it in the summer, when the trailis clear of snow and the actual lakes emerge from beneath a few feet of snow! The hut is situated so that it is accessiblefor a day hike, a home base for other day hikes, or a starting/finishingpoint for many multi-day trips. After mulling it over for all of about 2 minuteswe decided to do it without either. I am friends with peak baggers and I joined them on this 4 peak trip on 23.10.2022. The Grind is a challenging workout not a scenic hike. Trail to the Gargoyles and Atwell Peak. However, our journey wasn't as stress-free as we would have liked. Headstrong, just like we were on the first day, they didnt heed our advice and continued on top of the false security of the mornings snow crust. The parking just at the trailhead gets full early so you might have to park beside the road near the trailhead. Smart people learn from their mistakes. At Elfin Lakes, Columnar Peak, the Gargoyles, Opal Cone and Mamquam Icefield come into view. Unfortunately, after a while they started pecking at our empty hands and that was when we realized, we werent the Disney princesses we thought we were, but mere caterers to these cheeky varmints. Down on the ground level was dark as the snow completely covered all the windows but as you walked up the stairs into the 33-bed dormitory the brightness was overwhelming. The hike starts with six kilometres of uphill that is fairly. Explore backwoods British Columbia along some of the best hiking trails in the world, including the Elfin Lakes Trails in Garibaldi Park outside Vancouver and Whistler, BC Avalanche danger ratings can be found at avalanchecanada.ca You can either pitch a tent here for the night (which we highly recommend!) The 10 essentials. Start the Elfin Lakes hike within the Diamond Heads parking lot, near the yellow gates. Category: Looking back at it now I would have much preferred to stay in a tent as opposed to the shelter. The park is an outdoor adventurer's playground. Hiking Season: July to September is the most popular time to complete this hike. Elfin Lakes are two lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park that are popular for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and mountain bicycling trail located east of Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and cross-country skiing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. There are two lakes at the Elfin lakes. The campsite also has a pit toilet and a food cache where campers can place their food into so it is protected from bears. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Garibaldi Park is the massive wilderness park of nearly two thousand square kilometres that stretches from . Its about protecting what sustains us. I still really want to get to Mamquam and as the Elfin part is 'suspect' the hike up during the evening really appeals to me. What made it so difficult you may wonder? We were chatting with the librarian about our situation and she kindly offered to keep our laptops, passports and most importantly hard drives with all our photos from recent travels,at her house!!! The drive in to the trailhead is on logging roads that are have potholes and washboard sections as well as some one lane bridges. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and cross-country skiing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Ideally, the tires of your bike should be fat and aired up to the optimum psi for a comfortable ride. Every moment the sun beat down onto the snow the top crust layer was becoming more and more slushy. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Its worth noting that the winter trail differs slightly from the summer route. 90 mins) Hike + Yoga 8:30 AM Hike at a leisurely pace, with ample breaks along the way Yoga class in the heart of the mountains (30-60 mins) Enjoy your lunch We were slightly worried that a few people had left before us all wearing snowshoes but we, being defiant and bold (and mostly stubborn) decided to try anyway. After passing the first hut, the trail steepens until it reaches its highest point, it then follows the undulating Pauls Ridge which offers incredible views of Mount Atwell. On our first of many snack breaks, we were interrupted by two beautiful Grey Jays, or Whiskey Jacks as they are more commonly known. You'll love these Treks Short Films too, Your email address will not be published. There is also a washroom near the red heather hut. The hut itself offers accommodations for 33 people and is only available by reservation via BC Parks. The cabin at Elfin Lakes is a beautiful well maintained shelter in the heart of the Garibaldi Provincial Park. Just a month earlier I hiked up Ha Ling Peakin Canmore for sunrise. It was the end of May and we had been told by the visitor information centre in town that there was still a lot of snow on the Elfin Lakes trail. The path gradually twists and turns around increasing in grade. We started post-holing through extremely wet snow, down the ridgeline, to the shelter that lay only a mere few kilometres away. I am the photographer and creator of www.inafarawayland.com. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. There were times along the hik. I was very jealous of all those people who decided to stay in tents as opposed to the shelter. Elfin Lake Trailhead is located in Squamish-Lillooet of British Columbia province. Even though the previous day was very warm and todaywas predicted to be close to 30C, at night the temperature plummeted to nearlyfreezing. Elfin Lakes was the target, a place the wife has been wanting to go to for quite some time. The top lake is crystal clear and stunningly beautiful, plus it makes for the perfect spot for a summers dip. Head out onto the old road and youll notice the trail immediately climbs uphill. You are only allowed to take bathor swim in the first lake that too without any chemical or soap used. Follow the wide road like trail from the parking lot until you reach the Red Heather hut at the 5km mark. hi Mick, apparently the summit of Little Diamond Head is a ridge walk from the Brohme Ridge ski area. Join. 2021Outdoor Project. A bit of a scary road to get up there, I hear. It only takes about an hour to get to The Gargoyles, but it's quite steep near the end. Primary access to the lakes is by an 11 km (6.83 miles) long trail which gains roughly about 600 m (1968 feet) in elevation from the trailhead. However, our journey wasnt as stress-free as we would have liked. If youre camping for the night, you can pay cash at the drop box in the parking lot if you didnt pay in advance online. 8. Shortly after, about a half hour into the hike, the trail climbs to the high point of Paul Ridge, at 1660m. From the parking lot, pass the yellow gate and begin heading uphill along the wide gravel road. The trail meanders through heather fields, along the edge of a rockfall, and over scree. From Whistler Village, the trailhead is just over an hours drive away, located near the south end of Garibaldi Park . Elfin has quite a bit of additional hiking. An overnight reservation typically costs $5.00 (USD) per tent pad per night. The trail is 21km return. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. 5. It should take less than 2 hours to get to Elfin Lakes if you're driving from Vancouver, BC. 7. Similarly to the hut, the lakes were also covered by at least 3 metres of snow and we could only roughlyestimate where they were. Rated as moderately strenuous. As more and more people arrived I was glad we were one of the first to get there and secured ourselvesa bottom bunk. 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. Rangers hut in the left in front of the lakes, Hang your food to protect from beers at the campsite, Love Nature? In spite of the fog and cloud, we were able to catch another beauty of Elfin Lakes which looks so magical and mystical. Elfin Lakes Hike & Yoga Itinerary Pick-up from Vancouver 7 AM Pick-up from Canada Place or your Accommodation Drive up the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway to the trailhead (approx. It may cost you more, but you are going to enjoy it a lot more and wont have to rush out on the last day as we had to. No description for Elfin Lakes Trail - Winter Route trail has been added yet! Become part of a Elfin Lakes to the Opal Cone - Length, 6.5 km; suggested time, 2 to 3 hours one way; elevation change, 250 metres. If you have the appropriate avalanche gear and training, it is possible to complete this hike in the winter as well. Troopers will definitely go back here again. Pauls ridge was the highlight of this entire hike for me, but we couldnt dillydally. Its not that it was particularly cold, it was 25C outside, so the t-shirts and shorts were completely understandable, but something in my European brain didnt quite add up. Your email address will not be published. Also, all the along the way, you can see mountains and snow-cappedpeaks all around you. The beautiful red, orange, and yellow fall colors we. Trail leads down to Ring Creek then climbs the Opal Cone, an extinct volcano with a crater. 6. Turn onto Highland Way South and turn east at the roundabout. It's 12.5 miles round trip with 2,700 feet of elevation gain. The second lake is mainly for the drinking water purpose so swimming or bathing is not allowed in the second lake. This backcountry ski only trail can be used both directions. With every passing step the chances of us dropping waist-deep into the snow were increasing. There is an opportunity to swim in the lakes at the top. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. A short drive from the Sea to Sky Highway in Squamish, British Columbia, is Garibaldi Provincial Park. The distance between the diamond trailhead to the red heather hut is around 5 Km. I come from Poland, but I've been living, travelling and working around the globe since I turned 18. The beginning is sheltered as it is mostly through a forested area. 3 days ago. I think snorer is such a polite word when the roaring snort of what sounded like a drunk rhinoceros spread-eagled on his back was igniting the fire of a thousand suns within me, and much other sleep-deprived backcountry explorers. This is the Elfin Lakes trail that is used by hikers and bikers in summer and skiers and snowshoers in the winter. From here, there is no elevation gain while going. 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. We did the Elfin Lakes Hike in early October of 2020. The highest concentration of black bears within Garibaldi Park is found within this area around Red Heather Meadows so be aware while traveling through here especially in September and October. Drive West towards Horseshoe Bay. The 11 Best Autumn Day Hikes in The Italian Dolomites. The hike is long but only moderate in difficulty. The ranger station is just beyond the second lake. You can rest there. Hiking poles. Keep on reading and I will tell you allabout it! Take the BC-99 exit to Squamish. From here, the trail moves slightly downhill to wind its way toward Elfin Lakes. Elfin Lakes is located at the south end of Garibaldi Provincial Park, just outside Squamish. The mountainous terrain is home to many trails, high alpine passes, and lakes. Once again the snow hardened overnight and the trail was pretty packed. Drive about 1.7Km. On the street of Diamond Head Trail To communicate or ask something with the place, the Phone number is (800) 689-9025. Even though getting to the Elfin lakes shelter took us less than 4 hours, my boyfriend, who didnt take any sunglasses with him, spent almost a week recovering from snow blindness. The mountainous terrain is home to many trails, high alpine passes, and lakes. Follow the trail until the 5.0km mark, where you should reach Red Heather Meadows and shelter. 4. r/vancouverhiking. 3. Follow the trail just past the shelter and the trail will split in two directions, and there will be a green sign directing hikers to the left, as the trail to the right is for mountain biking use. Bookings are required for both campsites and shelters. From downtown Squamish, the trailhead is just a short drive away, located near the south end of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Even up to three metres in places! The name was adopted in 1978 when it was identified in a pamphlet for the local lodge. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Elfin Lake Hiking Trail The trail begins from the Diamond Head parking lot and is an immediate ascent up the old service road. We're aiming for the low point in the saddle that you see in the photo above. The sleeping arrangements are all bunk beds with a spot for one person on the top bunk and room for two on the bottom. Make sure you have reservations before arriving. The hike to Elfin Lakes might be 11km each way, but it is not very steep and is quite scenic, so it doesn't feel like work at all. This is a great trail if you like an adventure. 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. The road is dusty and Bumpy with potholes. Elevation Gain: 600 m Highest Point: 1,590 m Distance: 22 km Rating: Moderate. Older and wiser this time, we knew it wouldnt last long. Crazy Canucks. How I Trained for 10 Weeks to Climb 18 Grouse Grinds in 19 Hours (14,650m vertical) Tackling the Grouse Grind once is enough for most people. It meant the trail had recently been completed by a bunch of people and would therefore be packed. The Elfin Lakes hike is located within Garibaldi Provincial Park, which is a great home base for accessing surrounding hiking destinations. Elfin Lakes is one hiking and camping destination at Garibaldi Provincial Park.
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