Garibaldi Provincial Park

Diamond Head Area

Elfin Lakes

Topographical map 92-G-14 & 15. 1:50,000

The Diamond Head area in the southwestern portion of the park includes Mount Garibaldi, 2,678 metres, Atwell Peak (a volcanic pinnacle), Opal Cone, Garibaldi Neve and Mamquam Lake. The area abounds with heather. In summer, its dainty white and pink bell shaped flowers flourish everywhere.

Access:

Turn east off Hwy 99 onto Mamquam Road, 4 km north of the Squamish town site. Follow the paved road past the Squamish Golf and Country Club and then take the gravel road just past the Mashiter Creek Bridge. It is 16 km from the highway to the parking lot, located at 914 metres. There is a lookout 1 km before the parking lot that provides a sweeping, panoramic view of the Squamish River Valley and Howe Sound.

Facilities:

All camping areas, cabins, shelters, etc. in Garibaldi Provincial Park are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations accepted. Be prepared to camp in outdoor conditions if the shelter facility is full. Camping is restricted to Elfin Lakes and Mamquam Lake Campgrounds.

Camping and Shelter fees are charged year round and must be paid in full at the trailhead Fee Station. Proof of payment must be carried at all times while in the park.

There are no garbage facilities so always pack out what you pack in!

Red Heather - Located 5 km from the parking lot, the Red Heather area offers a day use shelter equipped with 2 picnic tables, a propane hot plate, a wash sink, a cooking counter, a wood stove (winter use only) and pit toilet facilities. Please keep woodstove fires small to ensure that wood supplies last through the winter season. Camping is not permitted in the shelter. On snow camping is permitted during the winter season only.

Elfin Lakes - Located 11 km from the parking lot, the Elfin Lakes area offers an overnight shelter equipped with bunks for 34 people (11 double bunks, 12 single bunks), 4 picnic tables, 2 propane hot plates, a wash sink, a propane heater, propane lights and pit toilet facilities.

2 outdoor picnic tables are located at Elfin Lakes.

Elfin Lakes Campground, located 12 km from the parking lot, offers 14 tent platforms, pit toilet facilities and food storage facilities. See Elfin Lakes Campground Map.

Elfin Shelter

Mamquam Lake - Located 21 km from the parking lot, Mamquam Lake Campground offers 3 tent platforms, pit toilet facilities and food hang facilities.

Trail Information:

Parking Lot to Elfin Lakes - Length, 11 km; suggested time, 3 to 5 hours one way; elevation change, 600 metres. The trail follows Paul Ridge and provides beautiful vistas. At Elfin Lakes, Columnar Peak, the Gargoyles, Opal Cone and Mamquam Icefield come into view.

Elfin Lakes to Little Diamond Head - Length, 7 km; suggested time, 2 to 3 hours one way; elevation change, 625 metres. This is a fairly arduous hike past the Gargoyles (strange visages sculptured by nature in lava) to 2,100 metre Little Diamond Head.

Elfin Lakes to the Opal Cone - Length, 6.5 km; suggested time, 2 to 3 hours one way; elevation change, 250 metres. Trail leads down to Ring Creek then climbs the Opal Cone, an extinct volcano with a crater. Garibaldi Neve and Mamquam Lake can be seen from the top.

Elfin Lakes to Mamquam Lake -Length, 11 km; suggested time, 4 to 5 hrs one way; elevation change, 570 metres. A strenuous hike that follows the route to the Opal Cone and then continues eastward past the Rampart Ponds. The trail descends to the lake from here. Overnight camping is permitted.

Items of Importance:

Mountain bikes are permitted on the trail from the parking lot to Elfin Lakes only. Please obey the signs.

During the months of September and October there is increased black bear activity in the Diamond Head area. Please use caution while travelling through the area and respect their environment. Stay on the trail and never approach or feed the wildlife. Remember, "A fed bear is a dead bear".

BC Parks - Bear Safety

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