I was caught by surprise at how quickly I went out of breath in the first kilometres. The trail consisted of mostly switchbacks for the first six kilometres, with 15 degree grade in some areas but the surface was well-maintained and really all it required was stamina. If I were to do it again, I would take it more slowly at the beginning so that panic wouldn't set in after a few kilometres and gave rise to concerns that we may not make it up to the lake.
There were lots to see on the way and certainly taking time off to take pictures was a good way to take a break.
This fairyland scene greeted us upon arrival at the parking lot |
Lots of fallen trees but also lots of young trees - regeneration could be seen everywhere |
The occasional vistas let us see how high we've climbed |
This, together with the many hollow trunks and their weird insides, created a surreal landscape along parts of the trail |
After 4 hours and 6.5 km, we reached The Barrier, an amazing lava formation 300 metres thick and 2 km wide that became a natural dam creating Garibaldi Lake. If the Barrier collapses, the lake would be drained and Squamish would be a disaster area - unimaginable scenario but not impossible.
This is the view of the Barrier - read up on this spectacular geographical phenomenon. This was a great place for a lunch break and also the decision point for us as to whether we were physically able to continue. Decision was easy, since we were only 2.5 km from Garibaldi Lake, it would be silly not to continue after lunch even though the switchbacks had taken their toll and our muscles and knees were quite sore. But the remaining 2.5 km seemed easy as it was undulating rather than uphill all the way. |
View of the mountains at the Barrier |
Friendly white-breasted nuthatch eating trailmix out of human hand |
The first view of the serene Barrier Lake shortly after the Barrier was a great morale booster. |
First view of Garibaldi Lake and its pristine glacial waters |
Breathtaking view of the mountains and the glacier - well-worth the hike! |
They call this Battleship Island (!?) - surely war should be very far from our minds in this idyllic landscape? |
I call this "The impossible dream - literally" (Photo by Robert Stupka) |
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