Elfin Lakes
Table of contents
Route Description for Elfin Lakes
Start the Elfin Lakes hike within the Diamond Heads parking lot, near the yellow gates.
Head out onto the old road and you’ll notice the trail immediately climbs uphill. The old road here was once the stretch of trail that would bring guests and supplies to the once famed Diamond Head Lodge.
Continue as the trail makes a sharp left and begins increasing in difficulty moving from the forest floor up toward the subalpine. Follow the trail until the 5.0km mark, where you should reach Red Heather Meadows and shelter.
Once here, enjoy the beautiful meadow, ideally, you’re hear when the flowers are in full bloom, bursting with wildflowers. This is a good place to enjoy a snack and a rest in the shelter.
Follow the trail just past the shelter and the trail will split in two directions, and there will be a green sign directing hikers to the left, as the trail to the right is for mountain biking use.
Continue to the left and you’ll arrive at a little lookout over Atwell Peak, which is not to be mistaken for Diamond Head.
Once you pass where the trail merges with the mountain biking path, you’ll walk along a gravel path with beautiful views as you ascend along Paul Ridge, which is the highest point of the hike, before descending back down towards Elfin Lakes.
Descend down the path taking in the surrounding views of Mount Garibaldi to the left and Mamquam Mountain to the right.
And then, finally, you’ll arrive at Elfin Lakes themselves. The top lake is crystal clear and stunningly beautiful, plus it makes for the perfect spot for a summers dip. However, the lower lake is reserved strictly for drinking water for the campsite.
You can either pitch a tent here for the night (which we highly recommend!) or you can retrace your steps back to the car.
Insider Hints for Elfin Lakes
- If you’re camping for the night, you can pay cash at the drop box in the parking lot if you didn’t pay in advance online.
- The highest concentration of black bears within Garibaldi Park is found within this area around Red Heather Meadows – so be aware while traveling through here – especially in September and October.
Getting to the Elfin Lakes Trailhead
To get to the trail from Vancouver, take Highway 99 just north past Squamish. As you are driving through Squamish, exit right at the BC Parks sign for Garibaldi Park Diamond Head. This is Mamquam Road, right before the Canadian Tire. It is about 9.9mi to reach the trailhead from Highway 99, mostly on a narrow, gravel road. The road will steepen and you will pass Quest University. You will eventually see another sign pointing you left, for Garibaldi Park Diamond Head.Route Information
When to do:
July to October
Backcountry Campsites:
Yes
Pets allowed:
No
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back
Elfin Lakes Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
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