This trail goes by Brandvold Falls, Red Heather Shelter, Elfin Lakes, Elfin Lakes Shelter, and Elfin Lakes Camp Site. We had done an overnight trip up there in early October a few years ago and the fall colours in the meadows were amazing! The shelter has a wood and propane stove, and can accommodate up to 36 people. There is also a shelter located at Red Heather, however camping is not allowed at this shelter. The summer trail leading to the shelter is the only area where mountain biking is allowed in Garibaldi Park. Elfin Lakes Shelter is located at Elfin Lakes and is reservable year round. From the parking lot, pass the yellow gate and begin heading uphill along the wide gravel road. At Elfin Lakes, Columnar Peak, the Gargoyles, Opal Cone and Mamquam Icefield come into view. Papa Thom. The area was the original site of the Diamond Head Chalet, built in the early 1940s by Joan Mathews, Ottar and Emil Brandvold. The hut does not take reservations and costs $15/night payable in cash only. It is nuzzled between two lakes (one for drinking water, and the other a swimming hole), and the Gargoyle Peaks. 11 double bunks. The Elfin Lakes shelter is an often visited hut just south of Mt. The propane is supplied by BC Parks. The Elfin Lakes shelter is an often visited hut just south of Mt. However, our journey wasn't as stress free as we would have liked. It is a well-known and very popular overnight trip near Vancouver. The Elfin Lakes shelter is located in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Ground floor Elfin Lakes Shelter . The Elfin Lakes Cabin is just beyond the campground and is a fully equipped hut with cooking utensils, stove and can sleep up to 22. Also, a few large pots are provided for melting snow or boiling water from the lakes. Length … The cabin itself is fully stocked with 8 gas burners, tables, a … Reservations are mandatory for both the 35 tent platforms and the 33 person shelter at Elfin Lakes. Overall, the cabin is comfortable and has gas stoves so you can melt some snow for water, and prepare your meals. The propane is supplied by BC Parks. It is a popular starting point for other hiking trails in the area. The Elfin Lakes shelter is located in Garibaldi Provincial Park. Lancer had no problems going up. Follow the wide road up through the subalpine to the shelter at Red Heather Meadows and beyond, along Paul Ridge to Elfin Lakes. The trail to the shelter follows Paul Ridge and provides beautiful vistas. The cabin is two floors, with bunks on top, and a kitchen and a recreation area on the bottom. Elfin Lakes is probably BC’s most comprehensive backcountry camping area. Elfin Lakes shelter, Garibaldi Provincial Park—C.Helbig. For a long hike this is unusually good for children 9 out of 10, as the difficulty is quite low, … After reserving spots in the Elfin shelter back in January, we finally go on an overnight snowshoeing trip on the Elfin Lakes trail. Elfin Lake Snowshoe The following is a message from fellow club member Nathalie Payette, regarding the organization of an overnight snowshoe expedition to Elfin Lakes. at the Canadian Tire in Squamish, Go straight, continue on the gravel road to Quest University, Continue straight, the road will switch back to pavement, The next 2km section can sometimes be the crux of the entire trip, after a right-hand switch continue straight and you'll see the parking lot, Updated: The Longest Early Season of My Life, The road will change to gravel again when it becomes. Parking Lot to Elfin Lakes This 11 km (7 mi) trail takes 3 to 5 hours and leads to the Elfin Lakes shelter. Originally, this was the main road to access the old Diamond Head Lodge at Elfin Lakes. One of them is off limit because it is a water reserve and the second one is there for hiker's pleasure, if you don't mind swimming in cold water. The winter has been a long one in Vancouver but I finally bit the bullet and reserved a Friday night at the shelter, with the forecast promising a mix of sun and clouds. 3.5km1450m Red Heather Meadows and shelter 6km1660m Paul Ridge high point 11.5km1470m Descent to Elfin Lakes ContactsBC Parks Squamish 1-604-898-3678 Free Through Inquiry BC 604-660-2421 If phoning out of the lower mainland 800-663-7867 Note: Rates! 12 single bunks. From Elfin Lakes, trips to The Saddle and The Gargoyles, Opal Cone and Mamquam Lake are accessible.----- See Diamond Head for skiing, hiking and other activities in the area. 4056 Lake Avenue, Peachland, BC V0H 1X6 (250) 870-8891. At some point a 3rd building was built, also south of the main hut, to serve as a warden hut. There is a shelter located at Elfin Lakes that has enough sleeping spaces for 33 people and facilities including picnic tables, propane stoves, a propane heater, and pit toilets. Located 90 minutes north of Vancouver, off of the Sea to Sky Highway, Elfin Lakes offer amazing vistas, along the 11 km it takes to get there and an incredible reward once you get to the lakes. From the hut it is a further 6 km to the cabin at Elfin Lakes. Contact BC Parks for more info. A ranger station nearby is usually staffed (at least on weekends). The elevation change is 600 metres. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking. Access is via the Diamond Head trailhead. From Whistler Village, the trailhead is just over an hours drive away, located near the south end of Garibaldi Park. 6.6 mi 10.6 km #1 Elfin Lakes Hut Approach. I prefer the nearby campsite in summer, but in winter the Elfin Lakes shelter is a much appreciated amenity. Opal Cone via Elfin Lakes Shelter is a 8.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Seaichem 16, British Columbia, Canada that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Top floor Elfin Lakes Shelter . The hut is heated by propane, and there are propane lamps and propane burners for cooking on the main floor. It’s popular for it’s easy and well-marked access, proximity to Vancouver, sub-alpine touring potential, and gorgeous setting. The Elfin Lakes shelter ( pictured above) is the largest shelter and has the most amenities, but there are two more small huts in the park – one at Wedgemount Lake, and another at Russet Lake. Elfin Lakes Shelter is an accommodation in British Columbia. This shelter can house 33 people and contains propane burners, which are supplied with propane by BC Parks. Or there’s the option of camping with 35 reservable spots not far from the lakes. Suggested time is about 3 to 5 hours one way. Sleeping only upstairs. Elfin Lakes are two lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park that are popular for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and mountain bicycling trail located east of Squamish, British Columbia, Canada. Previous to that there was a smaller log lodge, south of the hut. Parking lot is accessibly by 2WD car! There are two lakes (one swimmable, and one reserved for drinking water), a well-equipped shelter, and a campsite available in a beautiful, subalpine area. Dear Members and Friends of the TSMC, Four and half years ago, I went on an overnight snowshoe expedition to Elfin Lakes shelter in Garibaldi park during late March. The shelter is warm and has a nice communal vibe. The Elfin Lakes Shelter is a comfortable 33-bed hut that provides an excellent base for attempting the routes described in this guidebook and beyond. Powder Project is built by skiers like you. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from June until October. Elfin Lakes are two small lakes located in the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, British Columbia. Ascents in Elfin Lakes Shelter - 1. It has become very busy on summer weekends. About as popular a hut as you can get, Elfin Lakes Shelter is right in the heart of the Diamond Head section of Garibaldi Provincial Park accessed from Squamish, BC. Don't rely on the burners for a busy weekend though - there are only 3 and the hut sleeps 30. It would do. Getting Started. Elfin Lakes Shelter requires reservations year-round and offers overnight use equipped with bunks for 33 people (11 double bunks, 11 single bunks), 4 picnic tables, 4 propane burners, counters with 2 wash sinks, a propane heater, solar powered and pit toilet facilities. I was determined to get up to Elfin Lakes this autumn. This is one of the best hikes in Squamish and is not to be missed. The popular Elfin Lakes Trail is a gateway to pow laps for even the newest backcountry skiers and riders. Elfin Lakes shelter and camping You can stay in the Elfin Lakes shelter at Elfin Lakes. CIBC Branch & ATM. This page was last edited on 26 January 2019, at 23:48. Well the title of this post is Elfin Lakes in fall, but really what I think I mean is Elfin Lakes in almost winter. It is a popular destination (especially on weekends) but the facilities are open to campers for $10/night. The Red Heather campground also has 15 reservable spots. It is probably the best equipped backcountry hut in the Coast Mountains, owing to considerable investment from BC Parks. The trail climbs to about 5 130 feet to the high point on Paul Ridge and then drops gradually 500 feet to the Elfin Lakes. It is probably the best equipped backcountry hut in the Coast Mountains, owing to considerable investment from BC Parks. Lions Bay, BC Easy. It's a 22km return hike to the Elfin shelter and it's not too arduous if you decide to split it over 2 days like we did. Easy. Travel time to the Elfin Lakes Shelter can vary greatly depending on snow conditions and group abilities. Parking is good, and the trailhead is obvious. This hut was built by the BC government in the early 1970s. The Elfin Lakes Shelter There is a large, heated, shelter at Elfin Lakes that sleeps about 33. Head North towards Whistler on Hwy 99 and continue towards Squamish, Turn right on Mamquam Rd. You don’t need to make reservations for these smaller huts, but you do … The cabin at Elfin Lakes is a beautiful well maintained shelter in the heart of the Garibaldi Provincial Park. Garibaldi Provincial Park Management Plan (1990), Garibaldi Provincial Park: Diamond Head Area, Garibaldi Provincial Park (and Current Conditions), Garibaldi Provincial Park Wilderness Camping, http://www.ubc-voc.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Elfin_Lakes_Shelter&oldid=65507. Bank in Abbotsford. Elfin Lakes Located 11 km from the parking lot, the Elfin Lakes area offers an overnight shelter equipped with bunks for 33 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. Add Your Ascents. Garibaldi, in the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park. The summer trail leading to the shelter is the only area where mountain biking is allowed in Garibaldi Park. If the Shelter is full, the Elfin Lakes Campground located nearby, offers 35 tent platforms, a day-use shelter with 4 picnic tables inside and 2 picnic tables outside, pit toilet facilities and hang storage facilities. Elfin Lakes is a popular hiking destination located in Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, B.C. Book through BC Parks to secure a spot. The trail follows Parl Ridge with each step of the way opening up another vista. The Elfin Lakes Trail starts near Squamish close to the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway. 72 Reviews of Elfin Lakes "Went up on the 24th 25th to the shelter. The shelter is 11 km from the Diamond Head parking lot. The Elfin Lakes hike has been on my bucket list for a few years. The Elfin Lakes area offers an overnight shelter equipped with bunks for 33 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. Russet Lake Hut was originally built in 1968, and is also known as the Himmelsbach Hut. Taking Children. Customer ratings and consumer reports on Elfin Lakes Shelter – Ноtel in Whistler, BC. If possible, hike to Elfin Lakes on a weekday. Garibaldi, in the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park. 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