Hey! Looking for hiking partners for a July 9 (potentially 10th) hike at Panorama Ridge + Taylor Meadows + Garibaldi Lake. If we're fast (eg. run specific sections) then maybe we can add Black Tusk. I'll already be at Whistler for a family trip (going up July 8th).

My (37m) Hiking Experience:

Started hiking last year. I've never really hiked in BC, only in Asia. I've done 8h hikes, up to 22km. Typically hike alone but was convinced to not be dumb.

I am planning to book an intro to mountaineering course in squamish this September. I have done lots of hiking in austria before, now that I live in Toronto, I would like to get into glacier travelling. I am looking for a 4 day course, where I can learn all the basics of getting into higher altitudes, including more backcountry camping experience, and snow and glacier travel. My preference so far was doing it with Altus mountain guides. Their course program seems great and they were incredibly helpful via email. I wanted to book this weekend, and now I saw they increased they're price by 250 CAD. Vancouver mountain guides offers the same course for 800 CAD, but they were less helpful via email.

Has anyone had experience with Vancouver Mountain guides or Altus.

I am not sure who I should go with now. I will have to buy a bunch of mountaineering gear so saving 250 would be nice, but Altus seems to offer a better service lol

I struggle with decision making so thanks for any help!!

We hiked the Heather Trails last year from the trailhead to Nicomen lake and back. We really really enjoyed it. What we liked most was that it had beautiful expansive views without a crazy amount of elevation gain.

We’re looking for something similar to do in B.C. this summer., ideally within reasonable distance of Vancouver. Hoping for around 50 km total and planning for 3 nights / 4 days.

Main things we’re looking for:

• Around 40 to 50 km
• 3 nights / 4 days
• Not too intense in terms of elevation gain (we're doing mt currie on this trip as well lol)
• Big open views, alpine scenery, ridgelines, and scenic campsites would be an added bonus

Would love any recommendations for routes that fit this kind of vibe. Thanks!

July 6, 7PM: Trip Planning That Works: From Idea to Safe Return

https://preview.redd.it/187pjxbhzx3h1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=6d34e88175eedf3511a583df765727b1d4c5d9f2

A great trip starts before you leave. This webinar focuses on how to plan effectively so you can head out with confidence—and return home safely.

Learn how to match your trip to your skills, current conditions, and available daylight, and explore real examples of how poor planning can lead to search and rescue calls. We’ll also highlight the importance of the 3Ts: Trip Planning, Training, and Taking the Essentials.

Whether you're hiking, camping, or exploring BC’s backcountry, this session will help you make smarter decisions every time you head outdoors.

• BC AdventureSmart Summer Series 2026
• BC AdventureSmart Video Library

Does anyone know about new trail work being done in the vicinity of Spa Cave in Lynn Headwaters? I was hiking the Lynn lake trail this week and accidentally detoured down towards the pools around Spa Cave which is just a bit beyond the junction with Hanes Valley. It looks like there is a some trail being put in as there was flagging added down to the creek there, which continued on the other side, and there was storage locker and construction gear stashed nearby. I just can't imagine where a trail would be going beyond the west side of the creek.

I saw an old post that suggested that Tunnel Bluffs, Lions Bay had cell coverage - can anyone verify that for 2026? And if not, are there any other similar hikes that do have cell coverage? As with the old post, it's on-call work stuff. Google/DuckDuckGo have given contradictory info, our service provider (Rogers/Fido) indicates that Lions Bay is within their coverage area, and a search through older posts didn't come up with anything concrete.

We could easily do Tunnel Bluffs, as long as we have service.

Thanks for any help! (on call sucks)

EDIT: It turns out that we can't go anywhere this weekend. FML. Leaving this post up for further suggestions, in case this is a question other people have.

I’m trying to book an overnight trip to camp near the Golden Ears summit (Panorama Ridge), but I’m confused about the reservation system.

I thought I had to use the backcountry registration, but when I go there, the only Golden Ears option I see has the entry point listed as “Marine Access.”

Am I supposed to be making a backcountry campsite reservation instead? If so, which trail/entry point should I select for hiking to Panorama Ridge?

Any help from someone who’s booked this recently would be appreciated!

I've been doing a bit of googling / Clauding and I'm not getting a straight answer. Is it practical to go to and from Tunnel Bluffs via uber?

Hi folks, we just finished a 3-day backpacking trip at Elfin. A few things to note:
- lots of thick patches of soft (not slushy... yet) snow in the last 2.3km or so. Gaiters and poles strongly recommended - spikes / crampons were not really helpful given the soft snow and the frequent switching between clear/rocky ground and snow.

All the tent pads, walking paths, etc. at the campground are completely clear of snow.

The weather did not quite cooperate during our time there and it was cloudy and very foggy. We attempted the Gargoyles hike (as did many others) and mainly stayed at the saddle area, waiting for the weather (visibility) to improve, without any luck. Check the forecast before attempting - gaiters are a must and spikes / crampons might help a tiny bit on this specific steep + snowy portion of the hike if you choose to attempt it.

The pit washrooms are in surprisingly good condition (pump / pedal 'flush' and all!)

Very few bugs / mosquitoes right now, but I imagine with snow melt and higher temps soon, they will be out in droves soon enough.

NOTE: Most people were kind, courteous, and obeying outdoor etiquette, but please be mindful of the following:

- NO MUSIC from bluetooth speakers - please use headphones if for whatever reason the peace and quiet + alpine bird songs up there in mother nature are not enough for you and you need city vibes. (Someone was blasting Drake and Charli XCX out loud and got an earful from me... like just stay home if you want to spew sound pollution out in nature. The whole point of getting out of the city for most people is to get away from this stuff...)

- Please do not walk on grasses / bushes / vegetation - follow the trail (even if that means trudging through the snowy bits). These are not city parks - these are endangered alpine plants which are increasingly facing climate stress and don't need us trampling them.

- Please clean up after yourselves and PACK EVERY PIECE OF GARBAGE back - compostable or otherwise.

- In the common use day shelter, the parks folks have kindly provided cleaning sprays. Please wipe up the metal tables, sink, and counters after yourselves. There's also a couple of brooms and dustpans too for easy sweeping under the table and benches once you are done. Leave it better than you found it <3

Hey! Does anyone know if there are any trails from Roundhouse / Peak that are open and allow access to Russet Lake / Kees and Clair right now? I know Singing Pass from the village is an option but was hoping to start from the top of the gondala / peak. Seems like musical bumps / high note is still closed according to WB website. Has anyone attempted that trail recently? How were the conditions? Can't find any recent posts that give up to date conditions or alternatives to Singing Pass. Thanks!

Hi! I’m interested in hiking goat ridge in Coquitlam, but I’ve heard that there are a lot of cars getting broken into in that nearby parking lot….can anyone confirm if this is true or not?

Hi guys apologies if I come across as an idiot , I moved to Vancouver from Ireland 3 weeks ago . If anyone could help me with 2 questions I would really appreciate it , me and friends are looking for a hike to go after work (around 5pm) for sunset with some beers and food . Could anyone recommend somewhere not too far or long of a hike for beginners , and we will be carrying a decent load and don’t want to have to rush it for sunset . Secondly , would I be right to say having a small fire and a few drinks out in the mountains is no problem as long as we properly extinguish and leave no trace ?
Any advice or insight would be fantastic,
(One last thing , would bears be a problem ? We don’t have them back home )
Thanks

Hi hiking to JDF trail today! Wanted to start at botanical beach and leave the car at China beach! Is there ANY chance anyone is doing the same today? Unfortunately we can’t get the bus as it only runs once a day! I know this is a long shot but worth a try!!

Hi everyone, I’ve just moved to Vancouver and I’m stoked get a camping spot in Garibaldi this weekend.

Our plan is to drive up to Rubble Creek park first thing Saturday morning, however I’m unfamiliar with the parking. Assuming there’s lots of day hikers doing Panorama Ridge, how early do we need to be to ensure we get a car parking spot?

On a similar note, we’ll be hiking to and staying at Helm Creek Campground. We’re tempted with a side trip to Helm Glacier, depending on timing. Reports online have said it’s a bit of bush-bashing - has anyone done it recently? Any further thoughts on our itinerary are also appreciated as we’ve never camped in BC before :)

Hello! Very experienced hiker here who plans on doing a day hike to Golden Ears summit asap, once the snow melts more. Goal is for epic views, a good physical challenge, and building my photo albums and wall art of gorgeous mountains.

I would LOVE to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds and the pass system, however, for various reasons, it's looking unlikely for me. So, I'm stuck for going on a Sat/Sun, or a holiday long weekend, unfortunately.

Question: since the gate opens at 7am, and I'm doing just a day hike, I'm wondering how busy I can expect the ridge/summit to be. I know that dozens of people camp up there, but I will 99% be going at a quicker pace than those carrying overnight gear, so I expect to get there before the campers that day. I'm also guessing I'll be reaching the summit as the previous night's campers come down, since there is a checkout time (right?).

I absolutely don't expext a completely empty summit obviously. I'm assuming I'll be up there with other day hikers, as well as campers from Alder flat who would get a head start since they're not confined to the 7am gate hours.

My least favourite thing EVER on hikes is massive crowds (and clouds lol). Any "popular" hike i do (which is basically everthing in BC at this point lol), I usually start at 5 or 6am latest. And I'm very fast, so most big hikes, ive had the summit solo or close to it.

I've considered using an Ebike to get to the trailhead and parking outside the gate for an earlier start, but I don't have one and cant afford one.

I've also considered solo camping in the park but I have an 8 month old that is breastfed, so that introduces other complications.

Sorry for the long rant, basically im just trying to get an idea of how many tents/people i can expect in my pictures if I go on a Sat, and if sundays tend to be less busy due to many people working the next day. And no im not a hiking influencer, i just like pristine pictures and would prefer to not use AI to remove people from my pictures haha. I don't even like shelters, huts, helicopter landing pads, benches, or powerlines in my photos. Yes I have diagnosed OCD, leave me alone lol.