Garibaldi Neve Traverse

Introduction

The Garibaldi Neve traverse crosses some spectacular alpine scenery. It is usually done as a ski traverse and is well suited for beginners who have a few huts trips under their belts and want to make their first traverse. However, there is some substantial micro-terrain which makes navigation in a whiteout extremely difficult.

The traverse begins at the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Park and ends at the Rubble Creek parking lot (Black Tusk Area). Although the trip can be done in either direction, this article will describe the trip from south to north. This direction is more popular since it represents a net elevation loss, and offers a couple north facing ski descents.

When To Go

The traverse is best done in winter or early spring when Garibaldi Lake is frozen. If the lake is not frozen you will need to circumnavigate the lake which involves some bushwacking. Going around the lake from Sentinal Bay is easiest by following the Warren Glacier past the Table and climbing over Clinker Peak to reach trails on the other side.

Administrative Details

How to get there

The Diamond Head parking lot is reached by driving Mamquam road which leaves highway 99 a few kilometers north of Squamish (there is a Canadian Tire at the corner). Follow the road about 15km to the parking lot at 1000m of elevation. In the winter chains and/or 4wd may be required for the last few kilometers. Parking is available lower down, so don't worry if you don't think you'll be able drive the entire road.

The turnoff for Rubble Creek parking lot is located about midway between Squamish and Whistler. There is a prominent sign (Garibaldi Park / Black Tusk) indicating the turnoff. The road leads about 2km to the parking lot at approximately 600m of elevation. Only the first 400m of this road is plowed in winter.

Fees

Fees are in effect in Garibaldi Park. The day use fee is $3/car at Diamond Head Parking lot, although you don't have to pay this if your are staying overnight at the Cabin. If you choose to stay at Elfin Lakes Shelter you need to pay $10/night/person. Normally, if you are paying for the hut you do not need to pay for parking separetly. It is not clear what the policy is if you spend only a portion of the nights you are parked in the hut. There are no fees at the Garibaldi Lake trailhead in winter, as the road to the parking lot is never plowed more than about 1/4 of the way up from the highway. If you are staying at the Buron Hut, there is a $5 per night fee, payable to the VOC. Staying at the Sentinel Bay Glaciology Huts is free.

Route Description

Diamond Head parking lot to Elfin Lakes Hut

This section represents 11km of easy trail. From the Diamond Head parking lot follow the old jeep road through many switchbacks to the Diamond Head day use shelter (1450m). Beyond this point the trail to Elfin Lakes is marked with wands in the winter. Follow them through open meadows to the top of Paul ridge (1700m). If you have kick wax for your skis you can now take your skins off. If you don't have kick wax, leave them on as there are still a number of short uphills to negotiate before reaching Elfin Lakes Shelter (1550m).

This section is straight forward enough to do in bad weather or in the dark. It should take a total of about 3-4 hours.

Elfin Lakes to Garibaldi Lake

Head north from the cabin and bypass the Gargoyles on the east. You should be able to find evidence of an old jeep road which will speed your progress. Pass below some avalanche paths before dropping down to Ring Creek. Cross Ring Creek and continue north passing on the west of the Opal Cone. Drop down onto the Garibaldi Glacier as soon as practical, and climb the glacier to the main part of the Garibaldi Neve, Still going north you will continue climbing and traversing across the neve until you are just to the east of Mount Garibaldi. Don't climb too high towards The Tent, as you will just have to come right back down to avoid crevasses around the corner. Drop down across the glacier north of the Tent, aiming to pass to the east of The Sharkfin (a rocky ridge). The position of the Sharkfin is incorrect on most maps. It's actual position is further east, and lower down. This section often presents open crevasses even in mid winter, so be careful. Once past the Sharkfin, you are clear of the crevasses and can make a descent down to the flats below. Next ski through a broad pass west of Glacier Pikes to reach the Sentinal Glacier, which is a straightforward descent with perhaps some avalanche danger to consider. This section should take a full day to complete for an average party. Consider camping up high and climbing Mt Garibaldi.

Once at Garibaldi lake (1450m) at the base of Sentinel Glacier, you have a couple options : you can stay in the small Sentinel Bay Glaciology Huts or head onto the lake and go north to the Burton Hut which is much more spacious (though not nearly as spacious as the Elfin Lakes shelter). Yet a third option is to cross the 6km lake and stay at the day use shelters, which aren't well suited to sleeping but are quite spacious.

Garibaldi Lake to Rubble Creek Parking Lot

If you haven't already done so, cross the lake to it's north-western extremity and head along the trails past Barrier lake to the junction with the Taylor Meadows trail (3km). Another 6km brings you down to the parking lot. The lower portion of this trail is often quite dry even in mid-winter and may have to be walked.

External Link

BC Parks page for Garibaldi Park.