Hike the Cinder Flats in Garibaldi Park
Added by Greg Hamilton
Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles) total. Elevation gain: 920 m (3,000 ft). Amazing geological features! Solitude in the flats, as the hordes of daytrippers will be heading to Garibaldi Lake. Sub-apline flowers in the summer. Glacier fed streams and lakes. Black Tusk towering overhead.
Enter from the Cheakamus Lake side, which mean a steady climb up the Helm Creek Trail, but you won't battle the crowds coming up the Rubble Creek side. Plan for a full day in the mountains - it's ~25k total with quite a bit of climbing in the beginning. Bring lots of water, as it can get pretty hot once you're out of the trees! If you want to turn it into a multi-day, the Helm Creek Campground is a fantastic place to set up for the night, 9.5k from the trailhead.
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Fun Through-Hike Too
The Helm Creek side is a little more quiet than Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lake, a huge bonus. Great views all along the trail. If you're able to hike it with someone, you can complete this as a through-hike. Have a car parked at the Helm Creek side and shuttle over to Rubble Creek to start. Hike in via Taylor Meadows and hike out via Helm Creek, with a Cinder Cone detour along the way.
5.0
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