Elfin Lakes

Elfin Lakes are two small lakes located in the scenic alpine setting of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, British Columbia.

From the parking lot, pass the yellow gate and begin heading uphill along the wide gravel road. Originally, this was the main road to access the old Diamond Head Lodge at Elfin Lakes. However, it is solely used today by hikers and mountain bikers to access Elfin Lakes.

After hiking for just over an hour, you arrive at the shelter at Red Heather Meadows. The shelter is used in the winter by snowshoers and cross-country skiers as a place to warm up and in the summer months as a place for hikers to use the outhouse just beyond the building.

As you continue up the trail past the shelter, follow the narrow hiking trail for the next kilometer. The vegetation begins to thin and becomes very sensitive as you approach the alpine area. The narrow trail eventually joins back up with the wide gravel road. Go left and continue gradually heading uphill, admiring the beautiful alpine scenery to your left. As the trail begins to level, the two huts at Elfin Lakes can be seen off in the distance.

For the next 30 minutes, the trail descends towards the Elfin Lakes before arriving at a view above the lakes of the surrounding area. Make the final descent down towards the first lake and stop to take photos and enjoy the view.

People are allowed to swim in the top lake, however the lower lake is reserved for drinking water only and must be kept clean. The ranger station is just beyond the second lake and a bit further down the trail is the overnight shelter used by hikers who plan on hiking to further destinations such as Opal Cone, the Gargoyles, or Mamquam Lake.

After stopping for lunch at the lakes, head back onto the trail in the direction you arrived from. The first section is a steady uphill climb as you make your way back up to the rocky ridge. Once there, it's all gradually downhill as you continue towards the warming shelter leaving the alpine scenery behind. Pass the warming hut and head back downhill towards the parking lot where you began your day.