Hiking Info and Maps for Brew Lake near Squamish >>
More info and Maps for in Cirque Lake near Squamish >>
Hiking Info and Trail Map for High Falls Creek near Squamish >>
It looks more like a ski lodge than a mountain hut. Complete with solar powered lights, heat, propane stoves and room for 33 to sleep. You will find envelopes to pay at the trailhead. Camping away from the hut costs $10. Once again that seem expensive, but the area is very beautiful and popular so park rangers are nearly always around to keep things nice and functional. The 22k route to the Elfin Lakes Hut and back is well marked and well used. Unlike most other Garibaldi Park trails, this one can be safely navigated in the dark if needed with a flashlight. You will often find people on the trail in the dark on the lower section from the Red Heather Hut to the parking lot in Squamish... Directions and Maps for Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Park >>
Garibaldi Lake, so massive and dramatically beautiful in the winter, a huge frozen valley. The downside to this hike is the length of hiking to get to the beautiful parts. In the summer it's not so bad as the trailhead is a moderately difficult 9k from If you snowshoe the beautiful route to Taylor Meadows and return via Garibaldi Lake the route is 25 kilometres long and very strenuous as a one day snowshoe trip. Camping at either Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake are great options if you can stand the cold and are well prepared. If you plan to do this trip in one day be sure to leave very early and be well prepared for winter hiking. In the winter the days are very short so always have lights with you. Although the trail will likely be tracked out by previous hikers and skiers, having a gps is an excellent backup in case you lose the trail. If you are not troubled by a lot of exertion then it's a wonderful snowshoe destination. Like Joffre Lakes it is frequented by skiers just enough to ensure an almost constant track throughout the winter so you can concentrate more on the scenery then keeping from getting lost. Another nice attribute of this hike is the fact that you can snowshoe through the beautiful Taylor Meadows on the way up then across to Garibaldi Lake on the way back, therefore doing a little snowshoe circle route before heading back to your car at Rubble Creek... Snowshoeing Trail Map for Taylor Meadows >>
Brandywine Falls Provincial Park has the Sea to Sky Trail running through it and there are signs and maps indicating were to connect to it a the Brandywine Falls parking lot. The Sea to Sky Trail runs east of Brandywine Falls and leads to the Cheakamus Bungee Bridge. This huge bridge spans the Cheakamus River high above the trees. The trail from Brandywine Falls to the Bungee Bridge is just 3 kilometres and is wide, relaxing and scenic. To find it just keep your eye out for the Brandywine Falls sign about 25 minutes north of Squamish. The falls will be on your right. For much of the winter you will find the gates to the parking lot closed. If you encounter this, simply park as close to the gate as possible and hike from there. You will likely see a couple cars already parked there doing the same as you... Brandywine Falls Trail Map & the Sea to Sky Trail >>
There are two plateaus before the final, very difficult ascent to the summit of the West Lion. Both plateaus have incredible views and most make the second plateau their final destination. It is at the base of the West Lion. There are not really any suitable places to put up a tent, but if you had to choose, somewhere in the vicinity of these two plateaus would be the place to do it. If you continue to the summit be prepared for a four metre rope descent. The ropes are there, fixed to a tree above, but are alarmingly worn. If you have ropes, you may want to bring them for this part. After this, you will cross the narrow col connecting to the West Lion. This begins the very difficult section. Clinging to narrow rocks and ledges you have to make your way around the right hand side of the steep West Lion. This section is so dangerous that there are permanent ropes fixed in places to prevent you falling several dozens of metres if you lost your grip. There is one section of rope now missing which is a bit unsettling. The Lions West (Binkert) Lion Summit Trail Hike Info and Map >>
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