Mamquam Lake Backpacking Trail

Route Description for Mamquam Lake Backpacking Trail

The Mamquam Lake Backpacking Trail is a long 40.0 km journey into Garibaldi Provincial Park and hikers should make sure to book their accommodations at the Rampart Ponds Campground prior to setting out on the hike. While only moderate in terms of terrain difficulty, the long distance and undulating nature of the trail can make this long route feel like a bit of a grind at times. Make sure to pack enough supplies, wear proper hiking footwear, and consider bringing hiking poles to help your knees out with the ups and downs of the route. Additionally, remember to bring bear spray and/or travel in groups, as bears frequent this area and are often spotted around Mamquam Lake.

This hiking route is essentially an extension of the Elfin Lakes Trail and as a result, it passes through some truly beautiful landscapes on the way to Elfin Lakes, as well as afterwards on the journey to Mamquam Lake. A nice bonus of hiking this trail is that once you pass through the Elfin Lakes Campsite, the number of hikers will drastically diminish, leaving you with a bit of solitude as you work your way through the backcountry. Along the trail you will pass through a variety of terrain, including beautiful meadows and a moon-like desert, on the way to the mountainous landscape surrounding the pristine waters of Mamquam Lake. After a night’s stay at the amazingly scenic Rampart Ponds Campground, you’ll be fully rested for the return journey along the trail.

Setting out from the parking area off Garibaldi Park Road, make your way along the trail as you climb uphill through the spotty forest cover along Paul Ridge. Traversing Round Mountain, a volcanic outcrop that last erupted during the Pleistocene Era, hikers will continue along the trail and pass through the beautiful mountainous landscape to arrive at the picturesque Elfin Lakes. The campground found alongside the lakes is a popular destination for hikers in the area, so once you pass it by there will be a drastic decrease in the amount of people along the trail.

Continuing on the trail, you will hike through beautiful meadows and cross over several streams on your way towards Mamquam Lake. Keeping on the trail as it leads north, you will eventually veer to the right, as the trail skirts around Opal Cone on your left and works towards the Rampart Ponds Campground. Hike past the campground and descend along the trail to reach the beautiful shores of Mamquam Lake. Here, you will have amazing views looking out over the water with its mountainous backdrop, including the imposing sight of Pyramid Mountain just to the east.

After enjoying the natural landscape around Mamquam Lake, make your way back along the trail to the Rampart Ponds Campground, where you will spend the night surrounded by scenic views of the majestic Garibaldi Mountains. After a night of rest, set out from the campground and make your way back along the Mamquam Lake Trail, once again passing by Elfin Lakes on your way to the carpark below.

Sample Itinerary:

• Day 1
  Trailhead to Mamquam Lake to Rampart Ponds Campground
  Distance: 21.6 km
  Elevation gain: 1,342 m
  Campground: Rampart Ponds Campground
• Day 2
  Rampart Ponds Campground to Trailhead
  Distance: 18.4 km
  Elevation gain: 611 m
  Campground: None