Garibaldi Lake is absolutely gorgeous! We've heard from various sources that they believe it is the most beautiful spot in BC. The hike is a little long with almost non-stop uphill, but it is worth it. The lake is glacier fed so it is turquoise and cold.
The first 6km of the trail is the steepest part. Non-stop switchbacks until the 6km marker. Shortly after the 6km marker is the viewpoint for the Barrier wall. This wall is 300m tall and is supposed to be holding the entire lake in place. They believe this wall will collapse one day and the entire lake will empty out into Squamish and create a wave that could potentially reach Vancouver Island.
You are now done most of the elevation gain. Shortly after the Barrier wall, you will walk around Barrier Lake. The trail goes right next to the lake and is a popular spot to take some pictures. This lake is also turqoise. Not long after leaving the back side of this lake, you will walk around Lesser Garibaldi lake.
There will be a turnoff around 8.5km that goes downhill to Garibaldi Lake. This lake is very large. It is about 4km by 5km. It bends around the corner, so you actually only see about half the lake.
There is a campground at the lake which is reservation only during the summer months. Most people at the lake are just there for the day. During the summer, there are many people at the lake on the weekends. Even in less than beautiful weather.
Leave no trace hiking should always be practiced wherever you go. This lake is so busy that the Leave No Trace guidelines seem ever more important and less followed than usual. Please only prepare your food and eat in 1 of the 4 day huts at the lake. And do not leave any garbage (even things like banana peels) anywhere. Pack out all your garbage. This is absolutely essential to protecting the bears and other animals.
From Garibaldi Lake, there are several hikes you can do. We will cover them soon.
