Backpacking Garibaldi Provincial Park

Written By Kendall Garrett

Panorama Ridge, Black Tusk, & Wedgemount Lake

Located in British Columbia just a hour and a half drive from Vancouver, Garibaldi Provincial Park is known for its turquoise lakes, snowcapped mountains, and epic views. This travel guide will cover everything you need to know to backpack Panorama Ridge, Black Tusk, and Wedgemount Lake located in Garibaldi. You will find a packing list, permit information, sample itineraries, and trail aspects to ensure you are well versed for a great trip!

Disclaimer: This blog post may feature some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways I can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers.

Permits

Travel

Airport

  • Vancouver International Airport

Transportation

  • Best way to get around Garibaldi is by renting a car

Trail Aspects

  • Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk

  • All Trails Link

  • Length: 20.3 miles

  • Elevation Gain: 7208ft

  • Type of trail: Out and back

  • Length of Stay: 2 nights

  • Black Tusk warning: This is a class 3 scramble up a chimney made of volcanic rock (unstable rock). Rent a helmet from a gear shop on the way to trailhead. Rocks will fall and hit your head without warning and multiple people die each year because of this. Please use caution and good judgement of your abilities before attempting this climb.

  • Wedgemount Lake

  • All Trails Link

  • Length: 7.4 miles

  • Elevation Gain: 4265ft

  • Type of trail: Out and back

  • Length of Stay: 2 nights

Black Tusk

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 (Travel Day)

  • Fly into Vancouver International Airport and drive to Squamish, B.C. to stay the night

  • Hotel we reccommend: Sunwolf Riverside Cabins

Day 2

Day 3

  • Day hike to Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk (12 miles)

    • This will be a long and challenging day, bring lots of water, snacks, and a full lunch to have during the hike

    • Stay the night back at campsite

Day 4

  • Hike out back to trail head (4.5-5.5 miles, depending on campsite)

  • Stay the night in Whistler

Day 5

Day 6

  • Day hike 2 miles to Tupperware lake

  • Spend day relaxing by the water at both lakes

  • Stay the night at Wedgemount Campground

Day 7

  • Hike 3 miles back to trailhead

  • Drive back to Vancouver to spend the night

Day 8 (Travel day)

  • Flight out of Vancouver back home

Some things to note

  • During summer months the mosquitos are pretty bad. Having a bug net outfit can be beneficial especially when hiking below the tree line

  • Bugs at Taylor Meadows Campground were worse than Garibaldi Lake Campground

  • There are cooking huts, public restrooms, and bear hangers at both Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lake Campgrounds

  • There are bear hangers and a private toilet hut at Wedgemount Campground

Packing List

This is a packing list specifically for backpacking Garibaldi Ranges, if you are looking for an all inclusive backpacking gear list, click here!





Kendall Garrett
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