Elfin Lakes Shelter

Elfin Lakes Shelter
Elfin Lakes Shelter in summer.
Overnight Capacity	33
Coordinates	10U 500881E 5515211N (WGS 84) 10U 500975E 5515010N (NAD 27) 92 J/3 (Topographic map)
Elevation	1470m (4823ft)
BC Parks Fee	$15/night [1-800-689-9025 (BOOK BY PHONE)]
Reservations	Yes
Locked	No
Access	Diamond Head
Built	1970s
Caretaker	BC Parks
Legal	Type: BC Parks Tenure Status: Active Management: Garibaldi Provincial Park Management Plan (1990)

The Elfin Lakes shelter is an often visited hut just south of Mt. Garibaldi, in the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park. It is probably the best equipped backcountry hut in the Coast Mountains, owing to considerable investment from BC Parks. The hut is heated by propane, and there are propane lamps and propane burners for cooking on the main floor. Don't rely on the burners for a busy weekend though - there are only 3 and the hut sleeps 30. Also, a few large pots are provided for melting snow or boiling water from the lakes.

A ranger station nearby is usually staffed (at least on weekends).

History: This hut was built by the BC government in the early 1970s. Previous to that there was a smaller log lodge, south of the hut. At some point a 3rd building was built, also south of the main hut, to serve as a warden hut.

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.

Elfin Lakes Campground, located 12 km from the parking lot, 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.

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.

Facilities

Cooking Area

Sleeping Area

Fees

No reservations are taken, but please see the VOC Hut Registration page to help coordinate use.
For the most up to date information on the Hut see the Bulletins on the Hut Registration Page.

VOC huts are open to all non-motorized, non-commercial users. A $15 per person per night fee applies to pay for hut maintenance. The fee can be sent in to the VOC via our Showpass Donation Page or can be left at the hut in the blue drop box. If neither of these work, you can send it to the VOC by mail. VOC trips have priority during fall and winter holidays (New Years, Reading Week, Easter) so please contact the VOC before planning a trip during this time. Commercial groups are requested to contact the VOC before using any of the huts. There is a lost and found page for items in and around the VOC huts. Note that this is a bear-active area. Follow the proper bear aware procedures when hiking in this area.

Access

The hut is accessed via the Access Trail and the Access FSR.

Facilities

The information on this page is just a snapshot. See the Hut Inventory Page for complete information on tools and materials at the Hut

Heating
Lighting
Cooking
Fire Safety
First Aid
Sleeping
Capacity
Drinking water
Human Waste
Greywater
Garbage

Library

A small library is provided for the enjoyment of hut users:

• VOC Journals: List of VOC Journals at this Hut
• VOC Songbook (# new, # old)