Panorama Hike – Table of Contents
- Hike Introduction
- Hike Statistics
- Panorama Ridge Video
- Map and Elevation
- Hiking Route Description
- Camping at Garibaldi Park
- Directions and Parking
- Free PDF Download
Panorama Hike Intro
Panorama Ridge is one of several amazing hikes within Garibaldi Provincial Park, located between the towns of Squamish and Whistler. The trail to Panorama Ridge takes you up through a forest of Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees, through meadows full of blooming wildflower, and provides one of the most incredible panoramic views you could wish for at the summit. For many who have done extensive hiking around Vancouver, the hike to Panorama Ridge remains a favorite year after year.
The peak of Panorama Ridge sits at 2,133 m and provides breathtaking views of Mt. Price, Mt. Garibaldi, Black Tusk, The Table and Garibaldi Lake (among a myriad of other mountains). It is easy to see where its name is derived. For those in good shape and willing to push themselves, this hike can be accomplished as a day hike. But you can also make this a multi-day hike and start with fresh legs from the campground at Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows.
Panorama Ridge Hike Stats (From Garibaldi Lake Campground)
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 12 km
Net Elevation Change*: 630 m
Highest Point: 2,133 m
Time Needed: 5 Hours
Type: Out-and-back
Season: July – October
Dogs Allowed: No
Est. Driving Time from Vancouver: 90 Minutes
Trailhead Coordinates: 49.946139 -123.056792
Panorama Ridge Hike Stats (From Rubble Creek Parking Lot)
Rating: Difficult
Distance: 30 km
Net Elevation Change*: 1,563 m
Highest Point: 2,133 m
Time Needed: 10 – 12 Hours
Type: Out-and-back
Season: July – October
Dogs Allowed: No
Est. Driving Time from Vancouver: 90 Minutes
Trailhead Coordinates: 49.957294 -123.120259
*For a better understanding of the stats and difficulty rating, check out the Hiking Guides page for details. Always carry The Essentials and fill out a trip plan.
Panorama Ridge Video
Here is a 2-minute video of our experience on this hike!
Panorama Ridge Hike Map and Elevation
Panorama Ridge (one-way)
Profile
Panorama Ridge Hiking Route
The trail to Panorama Ridge begins on the Garibaldi Lake Trail from the Rubble Creek parking lot. The initial climb takes you up beside Rubble Creek itself, which you can hear rumbling nearby. The first 6 km of the trail lead you up a series of switchbacks on the Garibaldi Lake trail. It is a steady, uphill climb, with no relief from flat or downhill sections. The trail, however, is wide and well maintained, so there is no worry about technical climbing or getting lost. There are markers every kilometer along this initial stretch of climb through a forest filled with Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees.
Once you reach the 5 km marker, you will quickly after come to a nice view of ‘The Barrier’. The 300 m thick wall of The Barrier is a lava dam that contains the Garibaldi Lake system above. The sheer cliff you see was formed during a massive landslide in 1885, which is also how Rubble Creek received its name.
Crazy fact: “Should the Barrier completely collapse, Garibaldi Lake would be entirely released and downstream damage in the Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers would be considerable, including major damage to the town of Squamish and possibly an impact-wave on the waters of Howe Sound that would reach Vancouver Island” [1].
Continuing on to the 6 km marker there is a major junction, with a fork for the Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lake campgrounds. This is a good spot to take a break, before taking the trail towards Taylor Meadows. Alternatively, if you have chosen to camp at Garibaldi Lake, you can head that way to set up your campsite and drop your gear, before continuing on to Panorama Ridge via the Black Tusk/ Cinder Flats connector trail. However, this guide will continue to describe the route for a direct ascent via Taylor Meadows.
From the 6 km junction, go left onto the Taylor Meadows Trail, and it’s 1.5 km to reach the Taylor Meadows campground, another great spot to camp for the night, though less scenic than the lake. If you are camping here, you can set up your site before continuing on along the Taylor Meadows Trail. Immediately after leaving the campground, you will cross Taylor Creek. This is a great spot to replenish your water supplies.
A few minutes beyond the creek, you will come to a junction, and going right here will take you down to Garibaldi Lake. Continue straight along the Taylor Meadows Trail, enjoying the beautiful open meadow and wildflowers if they are in bloom (July and early August). 2 km past the previous junction, you will come to another major junction, this one called Outhouse Junction, with yet another trail connecting directly from Garibaldi Lake. Unsurprisingly, there is an outhouse here.
As with all the major junctions, there are markers clearly stating which trail you are on, and pointing you in the right direction for your destination – whether it’s Black Tusk, Garibaldi Lake or Panorama Ridge.
In our case, continue along the trail and within a matter of minutes you will pass by the trail junction for Black Tusk – another amazing hike for another day. You are now in Black Tusk Meadows, and as you meander along the trail you can catch glimpses of Garibaldi Lake and Mount Price to the south, and the mountains of the Tantalus Range to the west. The trail through these meadows is much flatter than the initial 7 km of the hike, making for happier legs and a quicker pace through the scenic landscape.
About 2 km beyond the Black Tusk junction you will get views of Mimulus Lake and Black Tusk Lake below. As you approach Black Tusk Lake, there is a junction to Cheakamus Lake (Helm Creek Trail), continuing to the north, and you can see Helm Lake in that direction. As an aside, it is also possible to drop a second car at Cheakamus Lake and exit the park that way, making this a point-to-point hike.
Stay on the Panorama Ridge Trail, make your way around Black Tusk Lake, and get ready to begin a steep climb up the ridge. As you start to ascend Panorama Ridge, you’ll have views of Black Tusk dominating the skyline behind you, and Black Tusk Lake and Mimulus Lake beside you. East of Black Tusk you have a great perspective on Helm Lake and Cinder Cone. This will be the most challenging part of the trail, partly on loose rock scree, and continually up and up. Snow persists here late into the summer.
There isn’t an obvious route in sections here, so carefully follow the cairns and whatever worn tracks you see to work your way up the ridge until you finally crest the summit. You will immediately forget about your tired legs as you soak up the view is all directions from the top of Panorama Ridge.
Then it’s just a matter of getting back on the trail and retracing your steps to the Rubble Creek Parking lot. If you wish for the return route, you can also detour down to Garibaldi Lake at the Outhouse Junction, adding a little distance, but variety. From the lake, you can carry along the Garibaldi Lake Trail back to your car.
Download the PDF version of this guide for offline use
Camping at Garibaldi Park
Camping is permitted in Garibaldi Provincial Park in designated areas. Garibaldi Lake and Taylor Meadows are the two main campsites near Panorama Ridge.
As of 2018, reservations are required for all overnight stays in Garibaldi Provincial Park, year-round, and can be made up to 4 months in advance.
Self-registration stations are no longer be available at the trailheads as they used to be. All campers must pay in advance using the online system.
More details on the camping in Garibaldi Park and backcountry camping permits can be found here.
Directions and Parking
Take Highway #99 heading north past Horseshoe Bay towards Squamish. Keep driving along the Sea to Sky highway all the way to Squamish. Once you’ve hit downtown Squamish, watch your odometer and keep head north for about another 37 km. Keep a sharp eye out for the Garibaldi Provincial Park sign on your right. Just over the Rubble Creek Bridge you will take a right onto a small paved road that is not hard to miss.
Just continue on for a few kilometers until you reach the parking lot.
Google Map directions here.
Other great hikes in this area
- Hiking Black Tusk (difficult)
- Hiking Garibaldi Lake (moderate)
- Hiking Elfin Lakes (moderate)
- View all hiking guides here
Toba
I need to plannig myself, reading this makes me want to go there ASAP, with a group would be better choice I guess!
Catherine
If I am doing a day hike and want to only do the 5hrs return, is there parking at the camp site? Or can you only park there if you are camping? From what I read above it seems the camp site will save hours if you hike from there!?
thank you!
Karl W
You can’t park at Garibaldi Lake or Taylor Meadows. You must hike up, and if you want to camp you need to hike in all your gear and make it a two-day trip. Good luck!
Youssef
Hello
Is it safe to do the hike to panorama ridge in one day by myself ? If so what time is best to start the hike ?
And if there is anyone who s interested in join in it’ll be great .
That’ll be for next coming week .
Thank you
Karl W
Depends on your fitness, however, please be aware this park is currently under restrictions because of COVID, so you will need to obtain a day-pass starting July 27: http://bcparks.ca/reserve/day-use/
Panorama Ridge
very nice hike. we plan to go this year
Jozef Povazan Photography
Looks like one of my favourite places for adventures wedding elopement brides and grooms :) https://www.povazanphotography.com/Vancouver-wedding-photographers-Povazan-Photography/garibaldi-lake-bride-panorama-peak-near-whistler
Cheers
Jozef
Rakesh
Very nice information, thanks for the post. We did this hike last summer and it took almost 12 hrs. The last stretch still had lot of snow even in July, so snow shoes are necessary. I have tried to capture a video of the trail, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUE7sI1VtO8
Ka
Hello,
Has anyone gone up in late March/early April before? And if so, are snow shoes required?
Thank you!
Pia
Is anyone planning to hike Panorama Ridge next Weekend, going from Whistler? (10/13 or 10/14)
I’d love to join but don’t have a car!
Caitlin
Hi! Thanks for this great description. I plan to solo hike this next week. Has anyone been up recently? I am wondering if conditions will allow for this with microspikes and poles. I am fit – just worried about the trail safety. I know this is a popular trail – are there usually people on it mid-week even in late Sep? Always good to have others around. Thanks!
Nicola
Hi, Just did the Rubble Creek to Garibaldi Lake today. Came across about 40 people but the amount of cars in the parking lot suggest a lot of campers too. The hike up to Garibaldi is perfectly fine with just trainers/hiking boots. Sorry I can’t provide insight into the rest of the hike! There will definitely be people up there so you should feel safe.
Teteris
How long is the distance between Taylor Meadows to Panorama Ridge. Planning on watching the sunrise
Karl W
I believe it’s roughly 7.5 km to Panorama Ridge from Taylor Meadows (or 15km return)
lisa
Is is possible to hike Black Tusk/ Panorama without snow shoes at this time? What are the conditions like?
JC
Hi,
I am planning to do a one day solo-hike to panorama ridge. I will be there the first week of July. My intention is to start on Creek Parking Lot. My only concern are the bears!!!! How safe it to do a solo hike with all the precautions such as bear spray, talk loud, etc…??
Regards,
JC
Karl W
You’ll be totally fine if you take the precautions, and the odds are you won’t even see a bear. I’ve hiked Black Tusk and Panorama solo starting at 4am in the dark before, no issues. Plus, this is a popular park, so while you’re travelling solo, there will be other people on the trails and the wildlife will stay away. Of course, take precautions, but I wouldn’t be worried.
Teteris
How long is the distance from Taylor meadows to Panorama Ridge
Matthew
We are doing the panorama ridge end of August and will camp at Garibaldi Lake.
I want to take pictures from the ridge during sunset. Is it safe enough to go down from the ridge to the Lake during the last pieces of light? Is everything there above tree line (bear danger?) ?
Karl W
Hi Matthew. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be safe if you’re properly prepared for travel in the dark (headlamps, etc). There are bears in Garibaldi Park but they are there whether it’s day time or night time :)
VR
Hi there!
We will be hiking to Panorama Ridge June-end 2018. We plan to camp overnight at the Garibaldi camp site and then wake up early the next morning and hike upto Panorama Ridge. My question is, since we don’t want to carry our tent etc. to the top, is it safe to leave it in the campground until we get back from visiting the Panorama Ridge?
Thanks!
Karl W
Yes, your gear should be perfectly safe. Of course, just in case, I’d bring anything valuable (e.g. cell phone) with you, but personally I wouldn’t be too worried. I have done exactly this before at Panorama Ridge.
Trong
Great information! Thank you so much for sharing!
We plan to try the hike in Early September. Is it possible to start early in the morning and make it up to Panorama ridge and then head down to the lake before heading back to the parking lot, all in 1 day? Thank you again!
Karl W
Hi Trong,
It’s certainly possible to do in one day, because I’ve done it (plus summited Black Tusk en-route). I think I did BT, Pano Ridge, and Garibaldi Lake back to Rubble Parking lot in about 8.5 hours. However, I was travelling fast and light, and I do a lot of distance running… So, it’s possible, but I would recommend that it only be done in a day by experienced and fit hikers. Start early, bring all the safety gear, and you should be fine if you meet those criteria!
Karl
JJ
Great page! Really want to do the panorama ridge hike but I’ll only be in BC in early June, would it be possible to do the hike then?
Karl W
We have a high snowpack this year, so there will likely still be snow, but how much is impossible to predict. It will be best to check the current conditions closer to the trip. The Club Tread forum might be your best bet http://forums.clubtread.com/27-british-columbia/
I hope that helps!
Tracey
My knees tend to swell up when I go hiking for too long, so I’m trying to decide how to break up this hike either by making it a 2-day trip or a 3-day overnighter.
The hike from the parking lot to Garibaldi Lake isn’t a massive workout but I am not sure I would be able to handle 5 more hours by going to Panorama Ridge and back to the campsite at Garibaldi Lake in Day one? For someone in my case, would it make more sense to take 3 days for this hike?
Karl W
If you have the time to make it a 3 day trip that sounds like the better plan. Day 1, hike to Garibaldi Lake. Day 2, hike to Panorama Ridge, back to your campsite. Day 3, hike out.
If you get up there and your legs feel good you can always explore a little but more around the park if you want. You can do the trek up to the base of the Black Tusk or walk around Taylor Meadow trail without the weight of your camping gear.
Hope that helps!