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Garibaldi Lake Trail

July 24, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Hiking
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The start of the Garibaldi Lake Trail is located 37 km north of Squamish (19 km south of Whistler) off the Sea to Sky Highway.  From the parking lot it's a 9 km hike that has an elevation gain of 810 meters along a well groomed trail that meanders through the forest and across a couple of rivers until you get the one of the best vistas in BC.

Our group of six took 3 hours to hike from the trail head to the lake and 2.5 hours to return.  This, plus a few hours at the lake makes for a hike that lasts the entire day so be sure to get an early start and bring lots of water and a enough food to keep your fuelled up.

In view of the length of time required and the high elevation of the park, it's best to hike this trail in the summer when the days are long and the snow is gone.

Finally, don't forget to bring a few bucks for parking.  In the summer of '07 it was a reasonable $3 as all proceeds go to trail maintenance.

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Posted by jjtt99, Vancouver at 01:44 PM

"where dreams are born"

March 18, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Hiking
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The absolute trip of a lifetime for me. A trip I literally had to "put off", for twenty five years. I have wanted to go to British Columbia for that long and for one reason or another wasn't able to. It's July of 2006, and this scene is, to me one of the most beautiful placess on the planet. It's Garibaldi Lake, and it is near Whistler, and as you can see it is aptly titled,"where dreams are born". For me, an artist, so much inspiration comes my way by virtue of viewing this scene. I can never say I have no reference material for future paintings.

Barry D.Gellert
Cape Coral, Florida

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Posted by Barry, Cape Coral at 10:30 AM

Inukshuks

March 15, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Hiking
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I visited my brother in Vancouver last summer and found many 'Great Finds': Deep Cove, white water rafting, Grouse Mountain and the Grouse Grind, English Bay, Stanley Park, Whistler - the list goes on.  Also enjoyed finding Inukshuks everywhere - these were at Whistler.

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Posted by Gareth, Pointe Claire at 09:41 AM

Taylor Meadows (Garibaldi Park)

March 11, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Hiking
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Taylor Meadows is a great lunch break on the way up to Black Tusk or on its own as an overnight destination in Garibaldi Provincial Park.  Offering stunning views of Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk, the campsite offers many backcountry amenities like raised tent pads, large cooking shelter including tables, nearby streams for water and several clean and well kept outhouses.

To get to Taylor Meadows, drive north from Squamish for approximately 30 km after the last set of lights and turn right onto a logging road (keep driving until you come to the parking lot, map and trail head).

The hike is moderately difficult with it being a steady climb from the parking lot to the meadows (7.5 km).

Highlights include access to Black Tusk, stunning mountain views, Garibaldi lake and great sub-alpine hiking in the meadows.

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Posted by Russ, Vancouver at 03:00 PM

Hidden Beauty

March 9, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Hiking
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My wife is probably the only person to have ever seen this hidden beauty perched on top of a ledge beside a trail leading away from Brandywine Falls to what we thought was the trestle bridge...  Late spring showers came and went, leaving raindrops glistening in the sun upon petal and moss.  A pale purple petal caught her eye and she craned on tiptoes to take a picture of what was only partially visible.  Getting soaked to the skin and lost in the wooded wilderness with only ourselves and wildlife for company for the next three hours were an added reward on our last day in BC.

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Posted by Stephen, Yorba Linda at 10:30 AM

Heavenly Hike

February 20, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Hiking
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I went to Whistler to explore potential skiing areas and discovered instead a great hiking area.  The included photo is in the Garabaldi Regional Park, a few minutes drive south of Whistler.  I went up a very well maintained trail to discover a stunning wilderness area at the height of fall colors.  The glaciers, lakes, trees, and alpine flowers are some of the best I have seen in many years, after hiking in the US and Europe.  I now have this picture as my screen saver on my computer.

David Maul 

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Posted by David, El Macero at 08:41 PM