Garibaldi Lake Parking Lot to Cheakamus Lake Parking Lot

Garibaldi Lake Parking Lot to Cheakamus Lake Parking Lot is a serious point-to-point grind through Garibaldi Provincial Park near Whistler, not Squamish, and it feels every bit of its 28.8 km and 1,536 m of gain. This very difficult route links two of the area’s classic access points and usually takes around 10 hours, so it’s a big day or a solid one-way backpacking mission. Expect long climbs, long descents, and big views that make the effort worth it.

You start up the Garibaldi Lake side on a well-built trail with steady switchbacks through forest before breaking into more open terrain around Taylor Meadows and Helm Creek. From Helm Creek campground to the junction for Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk, the trail is especially stunning, with wide open alpine, views toward Black Tusk, and big valleys dropping away below. From there, the route gradually works its way down toward Cheakamus Lake, trading alpine scenery for quieter forest and river views as you lose elevation back to the Cheakamus Lake parking lot.

Recent hikers report no snow on the trail right now, but lots of bugs, especially around the meadows and campsites, so bring strong bug spray, long sleeves, and maybe a head net if you’re sensitive. The trail is in good shape and well marked, but the distance and elevation gain make it best for experienced hikers with solid fitness, and many people stage a car shuttle between the Garibaldi Lake and Cheakamus Lake parking lots. This route is usually best from late June through September when the snow is gone and the alpine sections are fully open, and remember that dogs are not allowed anywhere on this trail.