Hiking Garibaldi Lake – A Spectacular Glacier-Fed Lake in British Columbia

Some hikes stay with you long after you return to the trailhead. Garibaldi Lake is one of those hikes for me. During our stay in Squamish, my husband and I set out into Garibaldi Provincial Park for a long climb through towering conifers, with crisp mountain air and the sound of rushing water along the way. We were excited to see the lake, and that anticipation carried us uphill. What waited at the end was even better than we expected.

Our Trail Experience

We started at the Rubble Creek trailhead and climbed steadily toward Garibaldi Lake. The Garibaldi Lake Trail is well maintained, with long stretches of switchbacks through the forest. We were so energized that we kept moving until we reached the Taylor Meadows junction without taking a break.

That does not mean the hike is easy. We recorded 3,386 feet of elevation gain over our 12+ mile out-and-back route. It is a strenuous day, especially for hikers who are not accustomed to sustained climbing. But the path itself was lovely. Coming from Pennsylvania, affectionately known as “Rocksylvania” among Appalachian Trail hikers, I appreciated a trail that did not require constant negotiation with rocks and roots.

Rubble Creek added to the experience, with rushing water, waterfalls and cascades along portions of the route. We passed viewpoints for Barrier Lake and Lesser Garibaldi Lake before continuing toward the main attraction. Each glimpse of water made us more eager to see what was ahead.

Then came Garibaldi Lake. The water was a brilliant turquoise blue, remarkably clear and ice-cold, with mountains and glaciers rising beyond it. Meltwater from the Sphinx and Sentinel glaciers carries fine rock particles, known as glacial flour, into the lake. These suspended particles scatter sunlight, creating its striking color.

Magnificent! But even that word falls short. Neither words nor photographs can fully capture the breathtaking beauty of the turquoise lake, towering glaciers, rocky shoreline and surrounding forest. It’s something you have to experience for yourself.

We crossed a bridge near the lake and navigated rocks along the shoreline to reach the campground area. We were day hikers, not overnight campers, so we stopped for a snack and spent plenty of time taking photographs and video. To return to the trailhead, we retraced our steps, both of us wearing enormous grins!

Squamish – A Great Base for Hiking Garibaldi Lake

Squamish is an outdoor adventure town along British Columbia’s Sea to Sky Highway, between Vancouver and Whistler. Surrounded by mountains, forests and waterways, it’s a natural base for exploring the region, including Garibaldi Provincial Park.

We stayed in Squamish, which made it convenient to get an early start on our Garibaldi Lake hike. The town has a laid-back atmosphere and a great selection of local restaurants. After a long day on the trails, grabbing pizza and a beer is a pretty good way to end an adventure.

Trail Map & Details

These are the statistics recorded on our AllTrails route, rather than generalized estimates for every possible variation of the hike.

Hike difficulty classifications (link)
Route type	Out and back
Trail difficulty level	Difficult
Geographic location	Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
Trailhead parking options	Rubble Creek Parking Lot; 0A0 Daisy Lake Rd, Whistler, BC
Trail amenities	Outhouse toilets at Taylor Meadow/Garibaldi trail junctions & at Garibaldi Lake Campground
Elevation – trailhead	1,933′
Elevation – highest peak	4,922′
Elevation gain	3,300′
Total mileage	12 mile out and back
Water sources	Rubble Creek – Use water filter.
Dogs	Pets are prohibited. Certified Service Dogs are allowed
Highlights	Forest views, Barrier Lake, Lesser Garibaldi Lake, Rubble Creek, glacier fed Garibaldi Lake, glaciers, mountains & more!

Extend your hike: Experienced hikers with more time can continue toward Panorama Ridge for spectacular views overlooking Garibaldi Lake and the surrounding glaciers. This adds considerable distance and elevation gain, so plan for a much longer day. We didn’t have time on this visit, but Panorama Ridge is absolutely on our list for next time!

Good to Know

• Plan for a full hiking day. Our recorded time was 6 hours, 6 minutes, but allow extra time for breaks, photos and changing conditions.
• The sustained climb makes this a strenuous outing even though much of the route is well maintained. Bring water, food and layers appropriate for mountain weather.
• We used the Rubble Creek trailhead while staying in Squamish. Check the current BC Parks trail and road information before departing.
• BC Parks has used advance day-use vehicle passes for Rubble Creek on designated dates. Check the current year’s rules and reservation window rather than assuming the same schedule applies every season.
• There were toilets at the Taylor Meadow Trail intersection (mile 4) and at the Garibaldi Lake campground during our visit. Verify current facilities and seasonal availability before your hike.
• This is a protected provincial park. Stay on designated routes, respect campground rules and pack out everything you bring, including food scraps.
• Pets are prohibited on all trails, day-use areas, and campgrounds within the park to protect sensitive alpine ecosystems and wildlife. Certified guide and service dogs are allowed.

Learn More

• BC Parks – Garibaldi Provincial Park
• BC Parks – Day-use passes
• BC Parks – Reservations and camping

A Hike Worth Remembering

Garibaldi Lake was one of those days when the entire hike felt like part of the reward. The steady climb, cool air, tall trees and water along the route were exhilarating. And after all those miles, seeing that impossibly blue glacier-fed lake made the effort worthwhile. It remains one of my favorite hikes.

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