Swim at Lake Garibaldi
Whistler, British Columbia
Description
Added by Rachel Bertsch
Distance: 18km (11.2 mi) roundtripDuration: full day hikeElevation gain: 820m (2,690 ft)Amazing viewsGlacial blue watersRefreshing swimsGorgeous trails surrounding backcountry camping
The large Garibaldi Provincial Park is just under two hours from Vancouver and half an hour from Whistler. The crowning jewel of the park is the turquoise coloured Garibaldi Lake, accessible by a trail that gains 820m (2,690 ft) on a slow but steady grind.
From Highway 99, look for signs pointing you to Garibaldi Lake / Black Tusk Trailheads. The parking lot is 2km (1.2 mi) from Hwy 99 and usually busy, so unless you arrive early you'll probably park on the road. Fill out the backcountry card and pay the appropriate fee before you go, if you plan on camping overnight.
The first 6km (3.7 mi) of the trail is in a deep Douglas Fir forest that towers above you. After this point, a junction appears with the choice to go via Taylor Meadows or direct to Garibaldi Lake. Both are scenic, but if you enjoy wildflowers pick Taylor Meadows, which will add an additional 2km (1.2 mi).
Once you make it to the pristine, turquoise blue lake with its rocky shoreline, relax and take a dip, with a glacier hanging in the backdrop. Make sure you walk along the shoreline toward the ranger house for a good look at the islands that hug the shoreline. The campsites down there are to die for, and the view is great for a lunch break.
If for some reason you make it to Garibaldi Lake and there are no more camping spots, there is usually space at the overflow backcountry area at Taylor Meadows. Both camping areas have pit toilets and no running water.
The return trip follows the same trail back down to the parking lot. In total, the hike should take about 5 hours of hiking roundtrip, but plan to spend at least an hour once you reach the lake, if you are only doing a day.
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