Garibaldi Provincial Park

Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake Area

View of Black Tusk and Garibaldi Lake

Topographical map 92-G-14 & 15 1:50,000

This scenic area surrounding Garibaldi Lake is the heart of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Within a small radius are such outstanding natural attractions as the Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge, Helm Glacier, the Sphinx, Guard Mountain, Garibaldi Lake, the Table, Sentinel Glacier, Sphinx Glacier and Castle Towers. Alpine meadows come alive with wild flowers. Mountaineers will find challenging peaks to climb. Hikers may choose from trails that are easy to difficult.

Access:

Turn right off Hwy 99 just after you cross the Rubble Creek Bridge, 37 km north of Squamish or 19 km south of Whistler onto a paved road that leads 2.5 km to the Garibaldi Lake parking lot.

Barrier Civil Defence Zone - The area below and adjacent to the Barrier, a geological feature upholding Garibaldi Lake is considered hazardous. Although imminent danger is unlikely, special regulations are in effect to make you aware of the potential danger and to minimize the risk to life and property in the event of a slide. Posted signs identify the Civil Defence Zone. Do not camp, stop or linger while travelling through the Zone. Camping or remaining overnight at or near the Garibaldi Lake parking lot is prohibited. Developed campgrounds are located nearby at Alice Lake, Brandywine Falls and Nairn Falls Provincial Parks.

Facilities:

Camping fees for Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Meadows are required between May 01st and November 15th and must be paid in full at the trailhead Fee Station. Proof of payment must be carried at all times while in the park.

There are no garbage facilities so always pack out what you pack in!

Garibaldi Lake - Located 9 km from the parking lot, the Garibaldi Lake area offers 4 day use cooking shelters, each equipped with 2 picnic tables, a wash sink with grey water disposal cooking counters and pit toilet facilities. Camping is not permitted in the shelters. We no longer provide cooking stoves, please bring your own.

4 outdoor picnic tables are located at Garibaldi Lake.

Garibaldi Lake Campground offers 50 tent sites, pit toilet facilities and food hang facilities (located in the shelters). See Garibaldi Lake Campground Map.

Taylor Meadows - Located 7.5 km from the parking lot, the Taylor Meadows Campground offers a day use cooking shelter, equipped with 2 picnic tables, a wash sink with grey water disposal cooking counters and pit toilet facilities. Camping is not permitted in the shelter.  We no longer provide cooking stoves, please bring your own.

2 outdoor picnic tables are located at Taylor Meadows.

Taylor Meadows Campground offers 40 tent platforms, pit toilet facilities and food hang facilities. See the Taylor Meadows Campground Map.

Helm Creek - Located 8.5 km from the Cheakamus Lake parking lot, and 18 km from the Garibaldi Lake parking lot, the Helm Creek Campground offers 9 tent platforms, pit toilet facilities and food hang facilities.

Trail Information:

Garibaldi Lake parking lot to Garibaldi Lake - Length, 9 km; suggested time, 3 to 4 hours one way; elevation change, 810 metres. This well graded trail climbs and switchbacks through stands of giant Douglas-fir and Western Red Cedar before leveling out at the top of the Barrier.

Garibaldi Lake parking lot to Taylor Meadows - Length, 7.5 km; suggested time 3 to 4 hours one way; elevation change, 915 metres. This trail follows the same route as the Garibaldi Lake trail for 6 km where it divides and heads up to the alpine and sub-alpine meadows. It is possible, with an early start, to hike from the Garibaldi Lake parking lot to the meadows, down to Garibaldi Lake and back out the same day. Length, 22 km round trip.

Garibaldi Lake to Panorama Ridge - Length, 5 km; suggested time, 2 hours one way; elevation change, 630 metres. This moderately strenuous hike provides views of Garibaldi Lake, Sphinx and Sentinel Glaciers, Table Mountain and much of the rest of the park. Panorama Ridge can also be reached from Taylor Meadows.

Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake to the Black Tusk - Length, 7 km; suggested time, 2 to 3 hours one way; elevation change, 850 metres. The trail ends on the viewpoint below the Black Tusk. Only those who are properly equipped and experienced should attempt climbing the Tusk. The ascent of the last 100 metres is by a rock "chimney", and must be negotiated very carefully. Beware of falling rocks.

Taylor Meadows to Upper Lakes - Length, 4 km; suggested time, 2 hours one way; elevation change, minimal. This easy hike leads through beautiful alpine meadows past Mimulus and Black Tusk Lakes to Helm Lake. Helm Glacier, the Cinder Cone and the Cinder Flats may also be seen. This is the same trail that will take you to Panorama Ridge, Helm Creek Campground, or Cheakamus Lake.

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