Trail leads down to Ring Creek then climbs the Opal Cone, an extinct volcano with a crater. It looked so much smaller than all the photos I had seen of it, but Ithought it must be the one, as theres nothing else around here. The hike to Elfin Lakes is one of the very few hikes in the Garibaldi Provincial Park thats walkable in the winter and spring. This is Mamquam Road, right before the Canadian Tire. Its a 22km return hike to the Elfin shelter and its not too arduous if you decide to splitit over 2 days as we did. To get to the trail from Vancouver, take Highway 99 just north past Squamish. After a few relatively civil words with a said snorer and one incessant rustler a somewhat peaceful night was had, before the 5 am alarm clocks started chiming. Your email address will not be published. lake meadows picnic-tables propane-heater propage-lights mountain-biking DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy #1. The road will take you 5km to the shelter at Red Heather Meadows. Lots of pot holes and loose rocks. They were playful and not afraid of human interaction even though we knew, that playing was the last thing on their minds. There is also a basic washroom at the trailhead. Elfin Lakes is one hiking and camping destination at Garibaldi Provincial Park. Day trips are free. 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. A Stroll Through Val Venegia The Stunning Dolomiti Valley Near Pale Di San Martino Range, The Perfect 7-10 Day Hiking Road Trip Itinerary Across The Italian Dolomites For Autumn Lovers, Rain, Hail or Shine Hiking the Pocaterra Ridge in Kananaskis Country, 12 Awesome Hikes and Excursions in Jasper National Park in Canada. OSM Way. That afternoon, we decided to do a day hike to the Gargoyles, which are rock formations about 2.5km from the campground up a steep mountain. Elfin has quite a bit of additional hiking. Capilano Mountains, West Capilano, Gordon Peak and Beth Mountain. Scree slopes below Columnar Peak A few years ago, during one of my trips to Scotland, I bought my first DSLR and my adventure with photography began. From here, there is no elevation gain while going. The path gradually twists and turns around increasing in grade. Driving Time from Vancouver: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Trailhead Coordinates: 49.750175, -123.053186 There is a shelter located at Elfin Lakes that has enough sleeping spaces for 33 people and facilities . The incline is pretty gentle and the trail is well maintained. Unbeknownst to them we warned them and told them about our previous days naivety and that the trail would get a lot worse, especially in the strong afternoon sun. The trail is clearly marked with orange snow poles. 1 / 20. There are two lakes at the Elfin lakes. Or are you interested in an overview of the Mazamas, our Publications, and more? A bit of a scary road to get up there, I hear. There's one big stream you can refill your water bottles from about halfway down to Opal before the big bridge crossing. 3-5 hours one way depending on conditions. Elfin Lake Hiking Trail The trail begins from the Diamond Head parking lot and is an immediate ascent up the old service road. When I am not stuck to my computer editing photos, you can find me hiking somewhere in the mountains. Adverse conditions, coupled with our naivety, made for some moments of hilarity, which at the time did not seem funny at all. Heed avalanche warnings and detours. Tackle the hike to two stunning lakes, one of which you can take a refreshing dip in, and enjoy the surrounding subalpine area. The trail to Elfin lakes is marked with poles, so look ahead for the next orange poll to make sure you are on the correct path. 2021Outdoor Project. We did Elfin Lakes hike on a foggy cloudy day. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. 7. We have learned at the visitor information centre, that the Diamond Head Trail Parking Lot was notorious for break-ins and crime. You can rest there. You will also enter a meadow with a lot of seasonal flowers. Parking Lot to Elfin Lakes Length, 11 km; suggested time, 3 to 5 hours one way; elevation change, 600 metres. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. The other side of the bottom floor is the kitchen and eating area. There is an opportunity to swim in the lakes at the top. Is Garibaldi hike hard? 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. Elfin Lakes are two small lakes located in the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, British Columbia. Punch in "Diamondhead Trail . The road is dusty and Bumpy with potholes. Elfin Lake Trailhead is located in Squamish-Lillooet of British Columbia province. 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. 8. The Hike to Elfin Lakes. The trail follows Paul Ridge and provides beautiful vistas. As more and more people arrived I was glad we were one of the first to get there and secured ourselvesa bottom bunk. While returning if you are going to the take Lions bridge, there would be a traffic delay in the evening as well. The Grind is a 2.9km trail ascending 810 vertical meters along the steep forest of North Vancouver's Grouse Mountain. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. We tried to get out as quickly as possible, squelching our inevitably wet boots as fast as our tired legs would allow them. All of a sudden the idea of carrying a tent next time didnt seem so bad. Diez Vistas Hike Guide From Sasamat Lake & Buntzen Lake, Parking & washroom facility at Diamond trailhead. No description for Elfin Lakes Trail - Winter Route trail has been added yet! From there you will follow the orange pole markers that indicate the winter route. 5. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 24 min to complete. After some granola, a banana and some last-minute packing we started out on the trail. The hike is long but only moderate in difficulty. 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. The hut itself offers accommodations for 33 people and is only available by reservation via BC Parks. The road will steepen and you will pass Quest University. This backcountry ski only trail can be used both directions. Become part of a Below the sleeping area is the kitchen and social area. Join. # 257054100. The second lake is mainly for the drinking water purpose so swimming or bathing is not allowed in the second lake. Reservations can be made with BC Parks. However, the lower lake is reserved strictly for drinking water for the campsite. It is about 16.0 km to reach the trailhead from Highway 99, mostly on a narrow, gravel road. The mountainous terrain is home to many trails, high alpine passes, and lakes. The 10 essentials. 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. The snowshoers who had decided on their footwear before even seeing the snow were now looking very foolish as they struggled unnecessarily uphill. You will eventually see another sign pointing you left, for Garibaldi Park Diamond Head. Reservations can be made with BC Parks. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and cross-country skiing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? This is a good place to enjoy a snack and a rest in the shelter. 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. Way more interesting to hike, view and just walk in. After crossing Ring Creek . Your email address will not be published. Similarly to the hut, the lakes were also covered by at least 3 metres of snow and we could only roughlyestimate where they were. Avalanche danger ratings can be found at avalanchecanada.ca 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! At Elfin Lakes, Columnar Peak, the Gargoyles, Opal Cone and Mamquam Icefield come into view. Its about protecting what sustains us. We did Elfin Lakes hike on a foggy cloudy day. 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. Elfin Lakes is located in the southern area of Garibaldi Provincial Park near the town of Squamish. td bank fireworks eisenhower park 2022 radio station Trail to the Gargoyles and Atwell Peak. 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. Head out onto the old road and youll notice the trail immediately climbs uphill. Upon emerging on the balcony I witnessed what was undoubtedly the most Canadian scene ever, people playing with a Frisbee in shorts and t-shirts whilst drinking cans of Alexander Keiths beer. Elevation gain 600 m (1969 ft). The small trail winds through the meadows and eventually leads to a saddle where you then cross a steep slope of rocks. Start the Elfin Lakes hike within the Diamond Heads parking lot, near the yellow gates. 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. 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. The first bit of the trail takes you along a forested old . Plenty of water and food. History. 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. Hiking poles. 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. Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park is an absolutely phenomenal, though long, hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing trail that begins at the Diamond Head area in Squamish. or you can retrace your steps back to the car. 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. 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 park is an outdoor adventurer's playground. Geniuses learn from others. Two kitchen counters are on either side of the room, each with their own two-element burners and pots for cooking. Drive West towards Horseshoe Bay. There are a few rental places in Squamish. It should take less than 2 hours to get to Elfin Lakes if you're driving from Vancouver, BC. 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. 18 related questions found. Logistics + Planning Preferable season (s) Summer Spring Congestion Moderate Parking Pass None Open Year-round Yes Pros Amazing views on the ridge. Reservations required. 4. r/vancouverhiking. The Elfin Lakes Trail starts near Squamish close tothe spectacularSea to Sky Highway. However, since there is no elevation gain, this trail walk would be a breeze walk. All they wanted was to scavenge our crumbs. If youre reading this Nancy then thanks again! All rights reserved. Once here, enjoy the beautiful meadow, ideally, youre hear when the flowers are in full bloom, bursting with wildflowers. 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. Adam Cowcill. 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