Home Coast Mountains Canadian Rockies Northwest Mountain West California Canyonlands Hawaii

Garibaldi Provincial Park
This is an extraordinary park that features the Mt. Garibaldi volcano and its surrounding wilderness.  The southern most trailhead, Diamond Head is in Squamish and is used year round, wanded in the winter and open to mountain bikes in the summer. There is a shelter about seven miles in at Elfin Lakes is packed year round. left
"I regret climbing Little Diamond Head, a fool’s errand, it is just a crumbling pile of sand & loose gravel.  The initial part of the ridge is enticing with its views of Howe Sound, its own small lake and desirable campsites.  From there you need to assault a never-ending talus field so miserable that marmots & pikas shun it.  The views here are no better than from the Saddle and the ‘summit’ is so loose that it would be perilous to try and stand upon it for long"
From the Elfin Lakes shelter (13.6 miles, 2000ft) its another four miles (8 miles return,820ft) to the Opal Cone where there are expansive views of the Garibaldi Neve. above.
The best view of Mt. Garibaldi is reached by descending 300ft off Opal Cone, crossing Zigzag Creek and ascending 500ft up to the Ramparts.  There are a couple ponds up here that provide pleasing reflections. left
In the prime summer months the most popular access this park is from the Rubble Creek Trailhead. From here a steep but well graded trail leads to the shores of breath taking Garibaldi Lake. (11 miles, 2650ft)  This is the limit for most day hikers however backpackers can keep going onward to Panorama Ridge. below (19 miles, 5000ft)
"The 360-degree panorama at trails end is the best we have ever seen from a trail in the Northwest. There is something spectacular to look at every point on the compass. The lake itself fills nearly half the view and the colour as seen from above is even richer than what you see from its shore. Glaciers of every size and description, lakes with a rainbow of colours, vast meadows, craggy mountains, everything you want from an alpine vista. If you only hike one trail in all of Southwestern BC make it this one".
Right: Mt Garibaldi from Panorama Ridge
For an encore there is also a flagged route from the Garibaldi Lake Campground to the summit of Mt. Price.  (15 miles, 4862ft)  This vantage provides one of a kind views of of Mt. Garibaldi & the Table.
Left: Mt. Garibaldi from the summit of Mt. Price
Right: Black Tusk from the summit of Mt. Price  
There is also a trail to the distinctive Black Tusk although the final push to the summit is a hands on scramble and has a reputation for falling rock. (18 miles 5700ft)
An alternate entrance/exit to this area exists via Helm Lake and the trail to Cheakamus Lake. (10 miles 2352ft)

Greater Vancouver Garibaldi Provincial Park Whistler Adventures
Below: Black Tusk and Helm Lake
Above: The 2 mile trail to Cheakamus Lake is ideal for kids.  
Garibaldi Park also provides the backdrop to the Whistler Resort.  There is free access through the resort via the Singing Pass Trail from Fitzsimmons Creek, a 9 mile, 4000ft climb to to the BCMC hut at Russet Lake. (above left, 18 miles return)   The alternative is paying to take the ski lift and hiking the Musical Bumps. (6 miles one way)  Russet Lake itself is little more than a tarn but there are nice views and several worthwhile scrambles. 
Just North of Whistler is the trailhead for Wedgemount Lake.  (above right, 8.7 miles, 3800ft)  A wickedly steep, rough trail but totally worth it.