Garibaldi winter adventure in summer

 We are just back from an amazing camping and hiking trip with my brother's family and some of his friends. We stayed at the Helm Creek campsite after an 8.5 km hike in from the trailhead near Whistler. On day two we hiked up to the Black Tusk viewpoint over snow for much of the distance. This was a challenging day due to having to climb up through increasingly soft heavy snow. The trail was buried for much of the route and we followed earlier hiker's tracks or made our own.

The mozzies were bad back at camp because the snow had only recently melted and they were newly hatched. They only got worse each day, but Deet and nets helped.

Day two Rani and I left early while the others slept in. We climbed up Panorama Ridge, retracing much of the route from the previous day. The views on the ridge were stunning and this was a much easier day than day one. The only blip was a twisted knee when I fell while running down a steep snow slope on the way home.

We hiked out the next day without any issues, enjoying the extremely well built approach trail. Cudos to BC Parks for this trail!

Many thanks to my brother for arranging this trip and booking the campsites. 

Campsite at Helm Creek. Half empty so we had a tent pad we used for cooking and three for the tents

Rest stop on day 1. Rani is standing near Mike's friends Enzo and Isabella. Next is my brother Mike and his daughter Claire,  and wife Wallapak

Rani and Wallapak with the Tusk behind

There was some relief from hiking on snow along the river bed

We saw several marmots near Helm Lake and again on Panorama Ridge

Claire and Enzo at Helm Lake

Approaching the intersection of the trail to Panorama Ridge or Black Tusk

One of the group forgot their sun glasses so we improvised an arctic solution.  Without this the glare from the snow over 10 hours would have done damage. 

First views of Garibaldi mountain and lake

Snow slope approaching the Tusk

Rani on the approaches to the Tusk

Claire and Isabella on the scree above the snow field 

Happy to be at the top of the snow field 

Great view from just below the Black Tusk viewpoint 

Last push to the viewpoint 

We met a German American couple with an 8 month baby at the viewpoint 

Charlie charmed us all with his lovely smile 

Our group 

Black Tusk panorama 

The return trip was much quicker!

A plastic bag helped reduce friction and keep bums dry

This tarn made a nice bathtub the next day

Resting in the tent hiding from bugs

Nice reflection early the next day

The Tusk reflected 

Crossing a creek that flows into Helm Lake 

Climbing toward Panorama Ridge 

Nice background for the climb 

Daunting slope but at least we had micro spikes for our boots

Rani tackles the slope.

The reward is an incredible view of Garibaldi mountain and lake 

Once on the ridge we walked along it to find a lunch spot

Nearing the lunch spot

A well deserved break. We spent 4 hours up here in total 

Heading back to camp

We met Mike and family coming up and stopped with them to enjoy the view

Back down into the lake filled valley heading home.

Trip to Gold River

We drove up to Gold River this weekend to celebrate the life of my friend Mick, who passed away this spring from leukemia. Mick's family hosted us and other friends and family at their house in Gold River. It was a very moving ceremony with music from Mick's son Ned and a beautiful tribute to her father from his daughter Tilley. We feel very lucky to have been included. We spent a few days camping, hiking and exploring the area, including a visit to the mouth of Gold River, a drive to Tahsis with a pause to explore the Upana caves, and a challenging 23Km day hike to Landslide Lake on the Elk River Trail. Gold River is close to the edge of Strathcona Provincial Park, and I can see why Mick and his family who all love the outdoors chose this place as a base. It is wild, remote country that I would have loved to explore at length with Mick. 

Cedar mermaid near the mouth of the Gold River

Tsuxwin Falls on the way from Gold River town to the river mouth

There were dozens of boat trailers parked at the mouth of the river. This is one of the few paved roads that give access to the fertile fishing of the west coast inlets

Air Nootka flies hikers out to the Nootka Trail. Rani hiked this trail about 20 years ago and I could tell she wanted to go again.

We camped at the Gold River Municipal campsite about 5 minutes south of town and right on the river. Basic but well managed by our host Ken Smith

We hiked around Antler Lake with Mick's friends and family. The trail is just outside the town and preserves a forest of old growth fir, hemlock, and cedar.

The Upana caves are an easy to visit group of five or sixl imestone (karst) caves located between Tahsis and Gold River.

Rani explores the Main Cave

We are not the first people to have visited

Outside the Main Cave

Streams flow through a couple of the caves

Rani found a friend at Painted Rock

A somewhat tenuous bridge on the Bull of the Woods trail in Tahsis

Lovely tranquil view at Head Bay on the road between Tahsis and Gold River

Crossing a creek on the Elk River trail

The trail was quite busy with many people camping at one of two sites. We met Troy at a waterfall near the second campsite.

Rani nearing the mid point of our hike. Landslide lake is over the next ridge

The trail is heavily used and very 'rooty' in places

Just before the lake. Cairns mark the trail when it passed over rock outcrops. Mount Colonel Foster dominates the view.

We had lunch at the lake. It took about 4.5 hours to reach the lake and 4 hours to return.

Rani braved the chilly waters. I waded in a few feet.

The mountains have their own weather and interesting cloud patterns developed and dispersed while we were there.

We spent over an hour at the lake. Despite the absence of people in the pictures, we shared the lake with more than twenty people! Fortunately there is lots of room around the shore.

Rani noticed a praying (or singing?) man wearing a Rembrandt hat

View of Landslide Lake from the approach trail. The praying man is near the upper right.

A water fall just below the lake.We took very few pictures on the way down. It was a long hike out!