Trip 072 - September 9, 2014 (Tuesday)

Mamquam Lake Trail Hike

Garibaldi Provincial Park (Diamond Head Entrance)

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Distance From Vancouver to the Trailhead: 83 kilometers. Drive for 65 kilometers on Highway 99 North (Sea-to-Sky) to Squamish. Follow signs to Garibaldi–Diamond Head by turning right from Highway 99 onto Mamquam Rd 3.5 km after Squamish Adventure Centre (which itself is located on the right side of the road several hundred meters past the intersection of Highway 99 with Cleveland Avenue), then left on Highlands Way South 1 km later. Take first right onto University Blvd at a roundabout 700 meters later. 1.7 km after that make first right at yet another roundabout, and 100 meters later (7.0 km after Squamish Adventure Centre) turn left onto Mamquam Road (again). 500 meters later paved road would end and gravel road would begin. You would drive on that fairly smooth road (aside from the last 1.5 fairly rough kilometers) for 10.8 kilometers and would reach the parking lot for Garibaldi–Diamond Head, 18.3 km after passing by Squamish Adventure Centre. If this sounds complicated, there are signs to the park before every turn, so the parking lot is easy to find.

Liked: Many great mountain and nature views, mostly gentle grades, easy to follow trail, bicycles permitted up to Elfin Lakes.

Of note: Remote wilderness area. No cell phone signal. This is a bear country. No tree cover beyond Red Heather shelter – sun protection essential on sunny days. Cloudy weather (like today) may obscure (most of) the views. Hiking poles and boots are recommended to Elfin Lakes, and are highly recommended beyond that area. There is a small but very treacherous trail washout between Opal Cone turnoff and Mamquam Lake – check out the photo in the trip report. Camping fees are required for anyone staying in the park overnight.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Backroad Mapbook (2010 edition) Trailhead Coordinates: Page 22 (Squamish) E5.

103 Hikes in Southwestern British Columbia (2008 edition): hikes #22 (Elfin Lakes) and #23 (Mamquam Lake).

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17. A bridge across Ring Creek at the bottom of the valley.

Bridge Across Ring Creek Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head BC Canada

18. Ring Creek as seen from the bridge.

Ring Creek Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head British Columbia Canada

19. The path on the other side. We are ascending the valley now.

Squamish Hiking - Mamquam Lake Trail

20. Looking back and zooming in, we get a good shot of Ring Creek.

Ring Creek Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head British Columbia Canada

21. Continuing up the valley.

Hiking in Squamish Area - Mamquam Lake Trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head BC Canada

22. Good view to the left.

Picture of Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head BC Canada

23. Another one.

View From Mamquam Lake Hiking Trail Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head BC Canada

24. One hour and ten minutes after the Saddle Trail split, there is another split, and it's a tricky one. The sign on a piece of wood is hard to read, but the way to Opal Cone and Mamquam Lake is to the right. To the left (as seen in the photo below) is a long route to Garibaldi Lake.

Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head - Hiking in British Columbia Canada

25. We took the path to the right.

Path to Opal Cone and Mamquam Lake - Hike in Squamish area

26. Fifteen minutes after that split, we are finally finishing hiking this valley.

Hiking Trail Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head BC Canada

27. Looking back at our path.

Hiking Trail Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head British Columbia Canada

28. And now the other side of this "hill".

Hiking Trail Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head BC Canada

29. The view on the right side.

View From Hiking Trail Garibaldi Provincial Park - Diamond Head BC Canada

30. Half an hour after the split with the trail to Garibaldi Lake, another split gives a choice of visiting Opal Cone, or continuing to Mamquam Lake for another five kilometers. Coordinates: N 49°49.064', W 122°58.369'. Elevation: 1522 meters.