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.
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| Campsite at Helm Creek. Half empty so we had a tent pad we used for cooking and three for the tents |
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| 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 |
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| Rani and Wallapak with the Tusk behind |
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| There was some relief from hiking on snow along the river bed |
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| We saw several marmots near Helm Lake and again on Panorama Ridge |
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| Claire and Enzo at Helm Lake |
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| Approaching the intersection of the trail to Panorama Ridge or Black Tusk |
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| 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. |
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| First views of Garibaldi mountain and lake |
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| Snow slope approaching the Tusk |
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| Rani on the approaches to the Tusk |
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| Claire and Isabella on the scree above the snow field |
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| Happy to be at the top of the snow field |
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| Great view from just below the Black Tusk viewpoint |
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| Last push to the viewpoint |
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| We met a German American couple with an 8 month baby at the viewpoint |
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| Charlie charmed us all with his lovely smile |
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| Our group |
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| Black Tusk panorama |
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| The return trip was much quicker! |
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| A plastic bag helped reduce friction and keep bums dry |
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| This tarn made a nice bathtub the next day |
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| Resting in the tent hiding from bugs |
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| Nice reflection early the next day |
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| The Tusk reflected |
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| Crossing a creek that flows into Helm Lake |
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| Climbing toward Panorama Ridge |
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| Nice background for the climb |
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| Daunting slope but at least we had micro spikes for our boots |
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| Rani tackles the slope. |
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| The reward is an incredible view of Garibaldi mountain and lake |
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| Once on the ridge we walked along it to find a lunch spot |
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| Nearing the lunch spot |
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| A well deserved break. We spent 4 hours up here in total |
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| Heading back to camp |
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| We met Mike and family coming up and stopped with them to enjoy the view |
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| Back down into the lake filled valley heading home. |
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