Squamish sits in the midst of some amazing places to hike. Garibaldi Provincial Park sprawls from Squamish up and beyond Whistler. Tantalus Provincial Park lays across the valley to the west and the beautiful and desolate, by comparison, Callaghan Valley to the north.
GaribaldiProvincialPark
Garibaldi Provincial Park wraps around Squamish and is home to some amazing hiking trails. Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge, Black Tusk and Elfin Lakes are all wonderful hiking destinations is this extraordinary Provincial Park so close to Squamish.
Ring Lake is a fantastically beautiful and wonderfully remote lake similar to Cirque Lake but considerably farther to hike to reach it. The 10 kilometre hike takes you through a tranquil forest, then to a spectacular meadow filled with ponds and ringed with distant, enormous mountains. 5 kilometres into the hike you come to Conflict Lake with trails running around it.
Journeyman Lodge sits near Conflict Lake. A wilderness lodge operated by Callaghan Country, a tour company that operates in the valley. They offer a range of alpine activities, far more serene than across the valley on Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. Signs along the trail and at Conflict Lake indicate which trail to take to reach Ring Lake, a further 5 kilometres from Conflict Lake. The trail from Conflict Lake to Ring Lake passes through a huge valley for a couple kilometres, then abruptly ascends on the right side of the valley. The trail is poorly marked in this section and you have to keep bearing right to avoid descending back into the valley. The trail is occasionally maintained, however owing to heavy winter snow, the trail gets pretty brutalized every winter. Because of the winter destruction, the visible trail in some parts disappears and you find yourself wondering if you are still on your way to Ring Lake. The key to staying on the right route, you quickly figure out, is to keep to the right side of the valley. Three kilometres of, at times very steep, but not technical trail gets you to the magnificent Ring Lake and the imposing Ring Mountain across the emerald green water.
The trailhead to Ring and Conflict Lakes is very close to the Callaghan Lake Provincial Park campsite. From the campsite, drive a couple hundred metres as if returning to Whistler and you will see a clearing on the right and a very well worn trail. From this trail you will see plenty of signs to guide you first to Conflict Lake in 5 kilometres, then Ring Lake, another 5 kilometres past Conflict. The 5 kilometre hike to Conflict Lake is quite relaxed and easy as you don't gain any significant elevation. The 5 kilometres from Conflict to Ring Lake is very steep, and though marked well with flagging tape and cairns, if often difficult to follow. Though the 10 kilometre trail is comparatively longer than most other Whistler hiking trails, the reward when you reach the end is magnificent. Unspoiled wilderness. Jagged mountain peaks, evidently from geologically recent volcanic activity. Snowy mountains beyond, and the stunningly clear and serene Ring Lake filling the valley. Ring Lake and Conflict Lake have their own, unmarked trailhead, a stones throw from the parking/campsite area for Callaghan Lake Provincial Park. It is very easy to find once you arrive at Callaghan Lake. Just a few metres outside/before the campsite/parking area at Callaghan Lake you will see a large area at the edge of the road with room for about 8 cars. The wide and very visible trail enters the forest and almost immediately crosses a large bridge over Callaghan Creek. Shortly after that you will spot trail signs at various stretches of the trail. Easy to follow and with good distance markers.
Getting to Ring Lake & Conflict Lake
The Callaghan Lake turnoff from the Sea to Sky Highway(Hwy 99) is 43.9 kilometres north of Squamish(Cleveland Avenue). Turn left at the sign for Callaghan Valley/Whistler Olympic Park. Drive up the beautiful, winding road for about 8 minutes. The sign for Callaghan Lake will be just before Whistler Olympic Park, you will turn left, cross a bridge and drive a bumpy logging road for 8.5 kilometres. This logging road is usually deep with snow until mid June. Callaghan Country blocks access to the access road to Callaghan Lake until the 15th of May. The unmarked trailhead for Ring and Conflict Lake is on the left, about 100 metres before the Callaghan Lake campsite. There is room for about 6 vehicles at this trailhead.
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