r/vancouverhiking • u/Hairy_Raspberry_4632 • Jul 04 '25
Conditions Questions (See Guide before posting) Wanting to hike panorama ridge, need help and advice.
This next Saturday, I’m wanting to hike panorama ridge. I’m from Oregon and an experienced hiker/ rock climber and what not. I have a buddy coming with me. My question is, (I’ve checked google and can’t find anything). Is there a smaller loop or smaller hike to still get to the hike? I’m afraid 20 miles is going to a lot especially in a day.
Also, any advice or critique would be awesome!
EDIT. My buddy said he wants to do 10 miles max, is there any trail that will lead to the main beautiful spots while keeping that distance?
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u/Doporkel Jul 04 '25
To answer your main question - no, there are two trails to get to Panorama Ridge, one via Helm Creek, the other via Taylor Meadows.
If you look at a map, Panorama Ridge is well into the park, there is no other way to get there besides hiking in a ways. Both routes I mentioned are 29km round trip, and give or take 1600m elevation gain.
If you do either option, don't forget that a day pass is required to enter the park.
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u/Just-Random-Phoenix Jul 04 '25
My buddy said he wants to do 10 miles max, is there any trail that will lead to the main beautiful spots while keeping that distance?
Have you done Garibaldi before? There's a beautiful lake at the top and it's 9 kms one way and doable in a day. However, Garibaldi had Cougar alerts about a month ago, so please check out official sites before you go. Garibaldi and Panorama ridge share the first 5 kms.
Edit: Adding link : Garibaldi Park | BC Parks
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u/Hairy_Raspberry_4632 Jul 04 '25
Awesome, I’m looking over the hike. Which is the best one if I’m using All trails? Is it just garibaldi lake or something else
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u/Just-Random-Phoenix Jul 04 '25 edited Jul 04 '25
Yeah Garibaldi Lake. Look for Rubble Creek trailhead if you are using Maps, that's where the trail starts. Remember to carry a bear spray :)
Editing to add more info based on your questions in other comments:
- Get a daypass https://bcparks.ca/reservations/day-use-passes/
- If you own a car, drive to Rubble Creek trailhead Parking lot. Drive time: ~1.5 hours from Vancouver
- Hike up to Garibaldi lake. Takes ~3 hours to trek 9 kms, more or less depending on your fitness levels
- Spend about 2-3 hours at the top
- Hike down takes about 1.5-2 hours
- Drive back to Vancouver - 1.5 hours.
You can stop at Squamish, which is almost mid-way for drinks/snacks both ways.
If you start from Vancouver around 8 a.m, you will be back home before sunset
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u/Grimoire Jul 04 '25
You want to be looking for the Rubble Creek trailhead to Garibaldi Lake.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/british-columbia/garibaldi-lake--2
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u/batsicle Jul 04 '25
I would just do Garibaldi Lake. If your friend only wants to do 10 miles, it's the perfect length (18 kilometers). You'll still get a beautiful hike with incredible views, but without 1600 metres up and down.
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u/Hairy_Raspberry_4632 Jul 04 '25
Is it possible to do in a day? I’m trying to find info on it
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u/batsicle Jul 04 '25
Oh yeah absolutely! Park at the Rubble Creek Lot. It's 18km out-and-back. Bring a swimsuit and towel to have a dip in the lake at the top, it's gorgeous
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u/kaitlyn2004 Jul 04 '25
No, it’s a big hike and that’s why for many it is at least a 2-day trip with camping.
Plenty do it in a day, I think possibly most do it in 2.
Note you will also need to secure a day pass:
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u/Hairy_Raspberry_4632 Jul 04 '25
Thanks! I’m very new to the area so i appreciate it
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u/prettyaverageprob Jul 04 '25
There are a ton of other trails in the whistler/squamish/Pemberton area that are less popular and you won't see them all over social media but they are super nice hikes as well.. good idea to check other hikes if you want to keep it shorter. Going to Garibaldi lake and back is also quite nice.
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u/SylasWindrunner Jul 04 '25
Go check via Alltrails to get better image of what you’re dealing with. The parking lot would be “ Rubble Creek “ parking lot and you will need a pass to do this hike rn.
If you considered you and your buddy quite fit, it could be done in 1 day. Normally this takes around 10 to 12 hours plus with 10 being the fastest hiking pace.
Alltrails says total km round trip is 28 to 30km.
5
u/HorribleHufflepuff Jul 04 '25
Why don’t you take the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish and then do one of the hikes from there. That will get all of the elevation gain out of the hike (for a cost).
Another hike with a great destination is Seymour Mountain in Vancouver. About 1.5 hours takes you to first peak giving you a fantastic view of Vancouver.
3
u/youwigglewithagiggle Jul 04 '25
We went up to Garibaldi Lake with camping gear, then on to Panorama Ridge and back to the Lake with day packs. I'm probably more like your friend, and 'just' that hike in one day was too long for me, mentally (the physical part was challenging but secondary).
With this in mind, and the fact that it's mostly switchbacks in the trees back to the parking lot from Garibaldi, I definitely would not try to push it in one day!!
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u/Hairy_Raspberry_4632 Jul 04 '25
Would garibaldi be doable in one day? Trying to find info on it
2
u/jpdemers Jul 04 '25
How is this trail? Is it hard?
The hike has 32km distance and 1720m elevation gain. It takes between 8h to 11h to complete. It is possible to do it as a day hike, but some people prefer it as a multi-day backpacking hike. The Panorama Ridge trail has a lot of elevation gain, but otherwise no technical terrain.
Because the hike is so long, I recommend to bring hiking poles which can spare your legs and knees on the descent.
Your group will need to bring the '10 essentials' hiking items, plus enough water and food. It can get quite windy and cold at the summit, it's a good idea to bring a warm additional layer (like a fleece) or a windbreaker, especially since you would not be moving much at the summit.
Would you be able to hike for 9-10 hours? It's a good idea to prepare with a few conditioning hikes in the months beforehand, not directly attempting without a minimal training.
Before going
- Watch this video about the Black Tusk Trail.
It is made by BC AdventureSmart, and about 80-90% of the information will also apply to the Panorama Ridge.
More resources
Here are a few more guides for Panorama Ridge:
[BestHikesBC] Hiking Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park
[VancouverTrails] Whistler -- Panorama Ridge
[OutdoorVancouver] Hiking Panorama Ridge Trail in Garibaldi Park
The subreddit receives a lot of questions about Panorama Ridge. Here are some previous posts where you can find additional advice:
Alternative Hikes
Some shorter hikes with great views:
Stawamus Chief (Peak 1, or 3-peak loop)
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u/youwigglewithagiggle Jul 04 '25
Yep! It's been a while since we did it, but I remember it being straightforward and kinda boring. The lake and alpine meadows are stunning rewards - just not summits.
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u/Nomics Jul 04 '25
Every time I do Garibaldi I’m surprised how short it feels. The trail is so wide, and well switchbacked it goes by faster and easier than the distance suggests. Wedgemont is similar elevation gain but so much steeper it feels harder, while being only a couple km.
I will say though, Panorama Ridge is overrated, especially with how crowded and annoying it is logistically.
I’m currently working on a hiking guidebook review, and Destinations Hikes of BC is a stand out for guidebook for alternatives to Panorama.
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u/SylasWindrunner Jul 04 '25
I always go for Panorama Ridge for first hike warm up session due to its very mild gradual incline.
It’s not even punishing anymore except at Taylor Meadows if you’re postholing every 3 steps.
You would feel overrated only if you summited this more than dozen times.
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u/Nomics Jul 04 '25
That's a good point, I've been there a couple times. I've also done a lot of mountaineering such that glaciated views are far from exceptional. But I don't have interest in returning, whereas I could happily do Sky Pilot, Gardner West Face annually.
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u/SylasWindrunner Jul 04 '25
Yeah I kinda need to upgrade myself into more remote hikes with more substantial challenges but it’s a bit daunting for me to do these solo for now 😅
But I am leaning myself towards same goals as yours 🙏🏻
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u/Entire-Split5592 Jul 04 '25
I did it yesterday in one day took us 12 hours from parking lot to parking lot.. we decided to go straight to the panarpma ridge and see the lake on our way down .. itns tiring but if you have enough food and supplies itms doable
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u/whererusteve Jul 04 '25
I really like Habrich from the Sea to Sky gondola. Different type of view but spectacular all the same. You can do it from sea level or cut 3 hours off by taking the gondola.
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u/slootbich Jul 04 '25
I’m not a super experienced/fit hiker. I did it in September in a day. It was 34 km total according to my fitbit and took about 11 hours. It’s doable but exhausting. I know lots of fitter people do it in about 8/9 hours.
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u/Accomplished_Try_179 Jul 05 '25
I took my 4 year old niece to hike Panorama ridge. It was not an issue.
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u/MartiniAfternoon Jul 04 '25
Did the ridge earlier this week in under 6 hours. Garibaldi lake is also a beautiful trip on its own and very doable in a day.
You could also hike up to Elfin Lakes for some incredible alpine scenery and that’s roughly 11km each direction and totally doable in a day.
Enjoy!
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u/Environmental_Fail17 Jul 04 '25
Very doable in 1 day once ya get to the lake it's flatfish till the ridge
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u/webesy Jul 04 '25
I think you’ll be fine personally. It’s switchbacks for a while to start but once you get up near the alpine the kms will fly by. Some people run up to the black tusk. It’s well worth it.
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u/Hairy_Raspberry_4632 Jul 04 '25
My buddy wants to do only 10 miles max, is there a trail that could lead us to the main beautiful spots while keeping it at that?
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u/garfgon Jul 04 '25
If you want to specifically do Panorama Ridge, no, there's no shorter way to get there. But there are plenty of beautiful hikes which are shorter and/or less elevation gain in the area. E.g. you can do just Garibaldi Lake, or do the Squamish Chief, or Elfin Lakes, or many others.
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