by Ariel Taylor | Next up on your guide to outdoor adventure is a spot worthy of repeat visits. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve trekked the 9km up to Garibaldi Lake, but what is forever etched in my memory is the payoff each time I arrive. The emerald water is nothing short of spectacular. This is the place I bring visiting friends and family because nothing justifies my westward migration quite like snow-capped glaciers, towering pines, and crystal clear water. Talk about painting someone a picture! The lake makes for a great escape from the city, be it for just the day or maybe for a few. Garibaldi Lake might be the main attraction, but there are plenty of surrounding options to keep you outside all summer long.

The Spot

Garibaldi Lake is housed by previously highlighted Garibaldi Park (see my article on the Diamond Head area). Located just 19km south of Whistler, this high elevation lake is held in place by a lava formation known as The Barrier. The resulting sub-alpine basin provides for its extreme depth (over 250m) as well as its unusual height above sea level (1,500m). In the early 80’s, the small town of Garibaldi was permanently relocated due to growing fears of The Barrier’s instability – volcanic or tectonic activity, it was thought, could lead to catastrophic flooding. My advice, don’t let this stop you from visiting. Shit happens, you know?

On another note, nearby Taylor Meadows is a great place to set up camp. At this time of year, the alpine flowers are in full bloom, but be warned, so are the bugs. The lake does get pretty crowded in summer months so Taylor Meadows is a nice alternative with plenty of tent platforms and a day hut should you need to escape inside. It also provides a kick off point for those wanting to climb the infamous Black Tusk. Though doable as a daytrip, I’ve found The Tusk to be infinitely more enjoyable when you give yourself a night to rest your legs. An extinct volcano, the Tusk is visible from the Sea to Sky Highway (its peak is 2,300m, so of course it does). The Squamish people refer to it as “the landing place of the Thunderbird” which pretty much makes it the Mt. Sinai of the west coast. Epic to say the least!

The Route

From Vancouver take Hwy 1 west towards Horseshoe Bay. Just before the ferry terminal, merge onto Hwy 99 towards Squamish/Whistler/Pemberton. Once you hit Squamish take a minute to ensure you have all your supplies and a full tank, as this will be your last chance before hitting the trail. About 32km north of Squamish you’ll make a right turn onto Rubble Creek Road. There will be plenty of signs for Garibaldi Park en route so if you’re unsure keep your eyes open for these. If you pass Pine Crest cabins on your left hand side you’ve gone too far. Once on Rubble Creek it’s pretty much a straight shot to the parking lot. The road can be busy during this time of year so slow your roll around the risky corners.

The Advice

Rubble Creek has been recently paved so no worries about shabby dirt roads or pesky flats. There’s a decent-sized parking lot, pit toilets and an information board with maps, wildlife warnings, etc. If you plan to stay the night, make sure to fill out the appropriate form and drop it in the lockbox with your cash – $10 per person, per night is the standard camping rate. With recent cutbacks to BC Park budgets, this money goes a long way towards keeping the trails and campgrounds open. Don’t be an asshole and cheat the honour system. Rangers also use your planned return date to gauge whether or not you need searching for. Nobody wants to be that guy, so be diligent about your plans. Expect to take around 5 hours to reach the lake and another 4 to return to the parking lot.

This part of the park is home to lots of wildlife so domestic animals are not permitted on its trails. Garbage is a constant problem so plan to pack out whatever you pack in and make use of the bear caches provided when staying overnight. Fires are also not permitted due to the fragile alpine ecosystem and often dry summer weather. The nights remain cool, even now, so pack some wool socks and cozy sweaters for star-gazing. For those with extra time, consider exploring the old ranger station along the far shore – the maze of old cabins, lookouts and training facilities are remnants of heydays long gone by. Being a park ranger in BC today just aint what it used it be, but hey, at least these parks are still open for exploration!

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Ariel Taylor is a writer and professional student living and working in the West End. Though never short on opinions, she approaches most things in life with an open mind and a grain of salt. She suffers from acute wanderlust (hence her Get Your Ass Outside column) and as a result can be packed for most adventures in 10 minutes or less.