Garibaldi Provincial Park is home to many beautiful hiking trails, but Elfin Lakes is undoubtedly one of the most popular and with good reason. The trail boasts a moderate elevation, making it accessible to hikers of all levels, and is conveniently located near Vancouver. With a shelter equipped with tables and a fireplace for use in the winter, one of the most beautiful cabins in the area, 35 pads for camping, and a 360-degree view of the mountains for almost the entire trail, Elfin Lakes is simply spectacular.
Elfin Lakes – Technical Information
If you’re considering hiking the trail, here are some technical details to help you prepare:
• Total trail distance: 22Km (round trip)
• Elevation gain: 649 meters
• Total trail time: 3 hours uphill and 2 hours downhill
• Difficulty: moderate
• Hiking month: September
• Dog-Friendly: No
Diamond trailhead to the first hut Red Heather
The trail begins at the Diamond trailhead, located in the scenic city of Squamish, which is about an hour and a half from Vancouver. The first part of the trail, which spans 5km, is a gradual climb on a dirt road through the forest, leading to the Red Heather Hut, where you’ll find a small cabin equipped with two picnic tables, a stove, sink, and a wood fireplace. This hut is primarily used in the winter by skiers or snowshoers to keep warm. It also has a free-to-use pile of wood and a bathroom nearby.
Red Heather Hut – September 2021
During the summer months, the Red Heather Hut is used as a short break before continuing on to the top of the mountain. Although the hut is small, it’s charming and cozy, making it a lovely spot to rest and take in the scenery.
Red Heather Hut to Elfin Lakes
From the Red Heather Hut, you’ll start to see mountain views all around you until the end of the trail. The view is spectacular!
The trail from the cabin to Elfin Lakes is another 6km, and the elevation gain is subtle, making it an easy hike that offers views of mountains with snow-capped peaks.
Elfin Lakes
The Elfin Lakes are two side-by-side lakes surrounded by mountains. Although they are smaller than you may imagine, the scenery as a whole is stunning. It will be hard to find a campsite with more breathtaking views, particularly of the mountains, than Elfin Lakes.
You are only allowed to swim or shower in the first lake, while the second lake is reserved for drinking water.
The ranger station is approximately 100 meters from the second lake, and another 100 meters beyond that is the famous and charming Elfin Shelter.
Ranger station
The Elfin Shelter is an overnight shelter that, unfortunately, was closed due to the pandemic when this post was written. However, through the window, you can see that the cabin is very spacious, with two floors, over 30 individual bunk beds, several tables for meals, a sink, and a bathroom with three individual toilets. It is a great experience to sleep in the shelter, and we hope to do so once the pandemic is over.
Camping
Finally, the Elfin Lakes campground has 35 wooden platforms where you can pitch your tent and camp. In addition, there is a covered shelter for cooking and meals, thus avoiding any smell or food residues near the tent, which removes the risk of bears coming in search of food.
If you are interested or curious to know what we like and what we take to eat in our camps, check out a coming post about What type of food to take for hiking or backpacking.
At Elfin Lakes, you’ll also find “bear caches,” structures where you can hang your food bag and any items with a strong scent that might attract bears, such as toothpaste, creams, and deodorants.
Bear cache – Elfin Lakes
Elfin Lakes is undoubtedly a feast for the eyes, with the most incredible visual display that will leave you in awe. The mountains are simply stunning, and their beauty makes it hard not to be mesmerized. As you hike along the trail, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views that will take your breath away.
Finally, it’s important to remember that if you’re interested in camping at Elfin Lakes, you must make a reservation through the BC Parks website. Camping here is an unforgettable experience, not just in the summer months. It’s also a popular destination for winter snowshoeing. Be sure to add this destination to your list and save this tip for future reference.
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