Garibaldi Lake Hike

Few days ago my friend B. talked about their trip to Garibaldi Lake. This lake was not on my Canadian list, but now I am happy I added to it. The trail starts about 20 kilometers after Squamish (halfway between Vancouver and Whistler). Here are few technical details:

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 5 hours
Total distance: 18km
Elevation Gain: 820 meters

The track is very nice and maintained as you see on the pictures below. Plan at least six hours to have enough time to enjoy the lake fully, especially on lovely sunny day.

Walking up the hill.

Pathway to Taylor Meadows.

Almost there - the road declining to Garibaldi Lake.

The hike is very comfortable. You will not need to climb on slippery rocks. Challenge is the elevation. First eight kilometers are pure walking up the hill. The track is not steep, but continuos. It goes up ... and up ... and up. After six kilometers is time to decide what way to choose. There are two options - longer (about 23 kilometers in total) going through Taylor Meadows or shorter (18 kilometers in total) along two smaller lakes. I chose the way through Taylor Meadows. It was good decision. 

Compare to the pathway along small lakes, the Taylor Meadows track offers beautiful views on surrounding mountains. 

... and nature beauty.

Once you cross the Taylor Meadows the way starts declining and soon you begin to feel the lake.

Garibaldi Lake for the first time - the blue is amazing.

The pathway down the hill to the lake was exciting. Amazing blue flashes through the trees. After one kilometer you reach it - Garibaldi Lake.

Garibaldi Lake - this is first full view on the lake from the weir.

I do not like cold water. I hate to swim in anything what does not have at least 30 degrees centigrade. I did it. You will do it too. Especially if you come on such a sunny, hot day. It was very refreshing and very quick.

Just a perfect day.

Here I swam a few laps, but swam.

Time to go back. For return I chose the pathway along two small lakes. After all day in the sun, the way down through the forest was very pleasant.

The way down back to parking lot was sometimes a little more challenging,
not much, just to make the walk more colourful.

Quick look on the Lesser Garibaldi Lake
(first lake on my way back to parking lot).

Barrier Lake - must be nice for swimming as well.
For me once a day swimming in glacial lake is enough. 

Thanks all my friend for their recommendations. 
More hiking stories soon! Don't forget to come back.