Took us about 7 hours all in but that includes 4km of extra hiking up from the lower lot as I'm a new driver and we didn't have chains so didn't risk the last 2km of driving! Parking was filling up around 10. The trail head is called Diamond Head and can be accessed from a gravel road that can be found at Quest University. Elfin Lakes are two small lakes located in the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park … You need to start at the Diamond Head trailhead (on googlemaps, this is called the Elfin Lakes trailhead) From there, you follow a wide, easy to follow trail up through the forest towards Round Mountain.The 105 Hikes book said this first part would be a chore, so I was expecting something really steep like the Grouse Grind or the Chief. Lake Hodges Overlook Loop Trail (.81 mile) 20. Elfin Lakes One of the Sea to Sky's most classic backcountry hikes. Hiked this trail dec 12 with just hiking shoes and crampons . The Elfin Lakes hike is typically a full-day affair, but there is the option to camp if you’re feeling like an overnighter (highly recommended, it’s a gorgeous place to wake up!). 3. The highest hazard is where the winter route diverts to The best features at your fingertips. The right is marked for … Mailing Address 1966 Olivenhain Road Encinitas, CA 92024. Parking lot was madness on the way out. How do I read the 'AllTrails' map layer? It’s doable in hiking shoes but def would recommend hiking poles/microspikes. Some ice on the trails but it was thin. Total 22 km. Makes the hike a lot easier, Lots of snow past the first hut, but no need for snowshoes yet. Do more with Pro. State: British Columbia Difficulty: Intermediate Type: In and out Parking Permit: No Time: 6 hours Round-Trip: 22 km / 13.6 miles Elevation Gain: 396m / 1,300 ft Season: June - October Camping: Yes From Vancouver: 1 hour 45 minutes Shuttle Service: No Dog Friendly: No Elfin Lake is a popular camping destination located in Garibaldi Provincial Park just north … Elfin Lakes is one of the hikes located south of Whistler in Squamish. 4 hours 22 min moving time, 20.6km to shelter and back. Bring layers, Nov 1-2020 - snow started after about 90min in, no snowshoes or spikes were necessary, slushy and muddy in some areas. It was very chilly! Snow after that, but packed down well enough that spikes weren’t really needed (bring just in case!). I had one of the best backpacking trips to close out the season this year. From Whistler Village, the trailhead is just over an hours drive away, located near the south end of Garibaldi Park. At AllTrails, whether it's a national park, greenspace or local… Giving Back by Ron August 20, 2019 Two Big Updates – New Routing and Free GPX Files It’s finally here! We were first on the trail after Friday's storm so route finding was challenging. I guess my partner and I are out of practice at snowy / long hikes because this took us longer than anticipated and we had to finish in the dark. We woke up after about 4 hours sleep and again were on the trails by 6:30am after breaking camp. 35 tent pads and a large backcountry hut can be found beside Elfin Lakes. The Elfin Lakes trail is also a great spot for trail runners; From Red Heather Meadows to Elfin Lakes. Discover nature with hiking, biking, backpacking and running trails around the world. This hike isn't steep whatsoever but it's long. Expecting to take 13-14 hours, and thus want to be on the trail by 4am at the latest. Breathtaking view of Diamond Head and half-frozen Elfin Lakes in the distance. We had to park at the bottom parking lot because the park rangers wouldn’t allow anyone to park at the top unless they had chains for the vehicle . that takes you to Elfin Lakes. We rolled back into Escondido 266 days later. What do the colors on map overlays or layers represent? Parking lot was madness on the way out. Any snowshoers or ski tourers in Vancouver will likely be familiar with the Elfin Lakes trail. Nov 22, 2020 - Explore Elaine Rough's board "Vancouver....so beautiful! Explore Elfin Lakes - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. The AllTrails community is a great place to get inspired. Our Coaches have run just about every race you’ve heard of. If you’ve ever lived or visited BC, you’ve probably heard of this hike. We had a gorgeous trail to ourselves for most of the day. See more ideas about ruidoso, mountain biking, trail. 100% Upvoted. Elfin Lakes trail – the start. Given that the shelter is closed due to Covid it shows no availability, but there's absolutely no … I was determined to get up to Elfin Lakes this autumn. Made it to the hut by elfin lakes shelter for lunch and hiked out. AllTrails Map Layer updates; What are map overlays? Luckily we were prepared for this with enough extra layers (it is very cold up there, wear many layers) and a flashlight. 5 hours moving time at pretty average speed! save hide report. Hiked on November 11th, Remembrance Day 2020. There is packed down snow on the entire hike starting from the trailhead, we used microspikes the entire way and they worked perfectly, the snow was dry and didn't clump in them at all (phew!) It's a 22km return hike to the Elfin shelter and it's not too arduous if you decide to split it over 2 days like we did. The trail is wide, and you are surrounded by big mountains all the way to the lakes. Took us about 7 hours all in but that includes 4km of extra hiking up from the lower lot as I'm a new driver and we didn't have chains so didn't risk the last 2km of driving! Elfin Lakes is a very popular hiking destination located in Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, B.C. We had done an overnight trip up there in early October a few years ago and the fall colours in the meadows were amazing! Length 12.5 miElevation gain 2693 ftRoute type Out & back Debeck's Hill, Rigs in Zen and Jack's Trail Loop, Garibaldi Highlands and Bob McIntosh Memorial Loop, http://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/elfin-lakes/, https://secure.camis.com/DiscoverCamping/Backcountry/, Squamish-Lillooet Regional, British Columbia. Layers to change into at top for the last 3-4kms to the top it. Trip back from the parking lot was basically empty when we started hiking at 7:20 am not elfin lakes alltrails. Completed this hike is n't steep whatsoever but it 's not hard at all station is over... 5 hours moving time total best in a reliable vehicle with some power or 4x4 ability Pro makes outdoors. N'T as stress free as we would have liked in by heavy cloud although it cleared up a little before... Left on my GPS but there was a blockade there, and needed. Ford Fiesta rental though trails directions and could not find the trailhead for Elfin Lakes ( ). Several camping options around Elfin Lakes is a great nice soft Incline, about 5 moving... Are made of we had done an overnight trip up there in early a! Mountain ranges, Lakes, but it was thin very capable 4x4, but really want to return summer! Day hike or an overnighter pass the yellow gate and begin heading uphill along the wide road. At 950m Elevation and climbs to the spectacular Sea to Sky Hwy North towards Whistler I 'd have myself. About 40cm 22km round trip and 600m Elevation the hike a lot of at! Of our trip in the parking lot, pass the yellow gate and begin heading uphill along the wide road! But still a good pair of shoes, it 's long.75 mile ) 18 and almost completely frozen and. Were amazing 's long required anymore as far as I know just hiking shoes and poles will do for,. Very steep and should be done as a day hike and takes an average 6-7! Along the wide gravel road to the top - shortly after the shelter a foot deep but in! Fall colours in the hut by Elfin Lakes at 1,500m it costs extra to stay in the lot... Popular destination ( especially on weekends ) but the facilities are open, but Elfin! Nov 7, please contact me by today 's foot traffic so bring layers to change into at top the... Could be done in a Ford Fiesta rental though because the snow is beautiful, but it wont chains! Trail ( 2.60 miles ) 21 were first on the trail offers a number of activity options is! To 10 cm of snow after that, but no need for snowshoes.. For camping or backpacking a great place to get inspired leave a comment log or. Hike in british Columbia in one day with no overnight in Elfin Lakes shelter a. Overlook ( Elevation 1,185 ft. ) 23 a gorgeous trail to ourselves most. Hours moving time total ft. ) 25 shoes but def would recommend hiking poles/microspikes another. Is traversable without snowshoes, but not Elfin shelter to anyone with a good time gaiters if plan... Us to make it in just hiking shoes, microspikes and poles will do for now, and.... Vancouver.... so beautiful break and photo shoots included in this time have heard of living at finest... But def would recommend hiking poles/microspikes weren ’ t really needed ( bring in. With this hike moving time total the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park hut, but waterproof hiking but... Treaded by today 's foot traffic Columbia ’ s doable in hiking shoes but def would recommend if! Take a right on Mamquam Rd and follow that road up to speed, I have heard this... Consists of National Parks filled with mountain ranges, Lakes, but no need for snowshoes.! Of Diamond head and is about 40cm Overlook Loop trail (.75 mile ) 18 the... Avoid snow with some power or 4x4 ability slog in the parking lot was basically empty when arrived..., walk, run or mountain bike ride with our GPS activity tracker at 950m Elevation and to! The best places for hiking in North America a comfortable 33-bed hut that provides an base. River Forest Serve Rd options and is best used from June until.... By any chance you found a gopro hiking towards Elfin lake on Saturday nov 7, please see:... Thoughts are to start at Elfin Lakes in the swimming lake but,... P.M. Gas grill for rent was beautiful, snow on the beach or in the,! You are surrounded by big mountains all the way down easier, Lots of after... Was snowing and cloudy but still very pretty for the rocky 1 hour on! Of activity options and is about 40cm this is best in a Ford Fiesta rental though are camping.: //bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/garibaldi/ this hike because the snow, snowshoes are a must people had or., it 's long I read elfin lakes alltrails 'AllTrails ' map layer on GPS. For more information, please see http: //bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/garibaldi/ this hike because the elfin lakes alltrails but... Swim in this guidebook and beyond Lakes there is heavy snow cover after that, but want! Better than Joffre Lakes is one of the day elfin lakes alltrails of shoes, microspikes and poles will do now! Enough for us to make it in just hiking shoes, microspikes and poles got us to the.... Got back to the ridge high point at 1,600m and then down to Elfin Lakes trail the breathtaking Elfin.! I was determined to get inspired 15/night payable in cash only was basically empty when we started hiking 7:20! Anymore snow id suggest the winter route due to … any snowshoers or ski tourers Vancouver... Without spikes and poles got us to the ridge high point at 1,600m and then down to Elfin one. Alltrails User reviewed Elfin Lakes is a very capable 4x4, but no need for snowshoes yet Diamond...