Garibaldi Park

• Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Operations requests all visitors skiing into their boundaries from the backcountry areas to call the number below and get the latest safety information. Mountain operations continues to make all areas within their resort as safe as possible for all visitors. Calling this number will ensure you are not unknowingly entering into an unsafe area.

Ski area boundary status: 604-905-2324. You will hear a voicemail tree; ‘1’ for the Whistler boundaries, ‘2’ for the Blackcomb boundaries, ‘3’ is for the weather forecast.

• Be prepared for winter conditions in all of Garibaldi Park. Most hiking trails are covered in snow which will make route finding difficult.
• Do not underestimate the demands of the backcountry. Hikers must be in good physical condition, properly equipped, and prepared to be totally self sufficient. Take adequate clothing as mountain weather is subject to sudden change and Garibaldi Park can receive snow anytime of the year.
• Avalanche and glacier hazards exist in Garibaldi Park. Only experienced groups who are practiced in crevasse rescue and who are properly equipped, should venture onto snowfields and glaciers.
• Most of the park’s lakes and rivers are glacier fed and the water is extremely cold year-round.
• Snowshoes or skis and skins are required for winter travel in the park.
• Most access roads for are not plowed in winter months. Check our trail report for more details. Access to the park requires winter tires and snow chains in the winter months. Those travelling the road must be equipped and prepared for a self-rescue in case of an emergency. Park access roads are subject to poor visibility. Please use caution and watch for other vehicles, cyclists, and wildlife.
• Thieves have been known to operate in the Rubble Creek and Elfin Lakes parking lots, targeting vehicles and personal property of park users. Be sure you remove all valuables from your vehicle prior to leaving it unattended, and leave unnecessary belongings at home. If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100.

Diamond Head/Elfin Lakes area

• Mamquam Lake campground is permanently closed for overnight use. All overnight campers must use the new Rampart Ponds campground located 1.5km before Mamquam Lake.
• The Red Heather area in Diamond Head experiences the highest concentration of black bears within Garibaldi Park. Be bear aware when traveling through the area.

Garibaldi Lake area

• Black Tusk/Garibaldi Lake access: the Rubble Creek road is not plowed to the parking lot in the winter months. Please do not block the driveways on the main road.
• Note: There are no huts for overnight use in this area.

Singing Pass area

• Caution: The Singing Pass Trail is hazardous in many sections. Use caution when crossing Harmony Creek (as there is no bridge) and at the old road slump.
• Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Operations requests all visitors skiing into their boundaries from the backcountry areas to call the number below and get the latest safety information. Mountain operations continues to make all areas within their resort as safe as possible for all visitors. Calling this number will ensure you are not unknowingly entering into an unsafe area.

Ski Area Boundary Status: 604-905-2324. You will hear a voice mail tree; ‘1’ for the Whistler boundaries, ‘2’ for the Blackcomb boundaries, ‘3’ is for the weather forecast.

Wedgemount area

Be prepared for winter conditions. Hiking poles and micro-spikes/yaktrax recommended.

Please note: The outhouse near the lakeshore campground has been removed for the winter as this area is prone to avalanches. During the winter season please camp in the upper campground near the hut.

• Please follow the reroute for the first 1.5km of trail. Please follow the signs at the parking lot. The old trail routing is unsafe.

Barrier civil defence zone

The area below and adjacent to the Barrier, a geological feature upholding Garibaldi Lake is considered hazardous. Although imminent danger is unlikely, special regulations are in effect to make you aware of the potential danger and to minimize the risk to life and property in the event of a landslide. Posted signs identify the civil defence zone. Do not camp, stop or linger while travelling through the zone. Camping or remaining overnight at or near the Garibaldi Lake parking lot is prohibited. Developed campgrounds are located nearby at Alice Lake and Nairn Falls Parks.

Prohibited in this park

• Motorized vehicles including snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, trail bikes, and similar conveyances are restricted to park roads and parking lots
• Domestic animals (dogs/pets)
• Fires
• Arriving or departing from the park by aircraft - contact parkinfo@gov.bc.ca to view the Voluntary Flight Guidelines
• Use of drones
• Harvesting natural resources, including mushrooms
• Use of camping hammocks due to high use levels and damage to small trees

This park proudly operated by:

Sea to Sky Park Services Ltd. 
604-986-9371 
info@seatoskyparks.com 
seatoskyparks.com

History

In 1860, while carrying out a survey of Howe Sound on board the Royal Navy survey ship H.M.S. Plumper, Captain George Henry was impressed by a towering mountain dominating the view to the northeast. Captain Richards chose to name the 2,678 metre mountain Mount Garibaldi, after the great 19th century Italian patriot and soldier, Giuseppe Garibaldi, a guerrilla general whose exploits and valour were held in high esteem. In 1907, a party of six Vancouver climbers reached the summit of Mount Garibaldi. The views from the peak inspired the establishment of summer climbing camps at Garibaldi Lake. This early interest led to the creation in 1920 of a park reserve. Garibaldi Park was legislated as a Class A park in 1927, a 195,000 hectare mountain wilderness just 64 kilometres north of Vancouver.

Conservation

During July and August the alpine areas of Garibaldi Park offer hikers an opportunity to view alpine flowers in bloom, a beautiful display of nature. Please keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure in fragile alpine meadows. Trail erosion by rain and melting snow occurs rapidly as a result. BC Parks asks for your cooperation as we help to repair damaged areas. Please help by obeying posted signs.

Wildlife

Small mammals and birds such as squirrels, chipmunks, grey jays, and flickers can often be seen. Large mammals such as mountain goats, deer, cougars, wolverines, grizzly, and black bears, also call the park home, although are seen less frequently.

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.