Garibaldi Provincial Park

Garibaldi Lake sits at about one thousand four hundred metres, coloured a strong turquoise by glacial rock flour suspended in the water, and it exists because of the Barrier: a wall of lava that flowed against a glacier during the last ice age, chilled and solidified into a cliff, then held the meltwater back when the ice retreated. The Barrier is unstable and has collapsed before, which is why the valley below is a restricted zone. The standard route climbs about nine kilometres of switchbacks from Rubble Creek to the lake, and Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk continue beyond as long day or overnight trips.

What you actually see

• The turquoise lake - colour from glacial rock flour at 1,400 metres.
• The Barrier - a lava cliff that dams the lake and is known to collapse.
• Panorama Ridge - a long climb to a viewpoint over the whole basin.
• The Black Tusk - an eroded volcanic spire above the meadows.

When to go

July to September, once snow clears the upper trails; meadows flower late July and August. Snow lingers into July and returns in October. Day passes are required in peak season.

Honest expectations

Day-use passes must be booked online in season and run out. The climb to the lake is nine kilometres of switchbacks with little view until the top. Camping requires reservation.

Nearby

Brandywine Falls lies north; Squamish is south.