{"id":712,"date":"2021-11-15T15:48:21","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T15:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/"},"modified":"2023-06-25T12:40:57","modified_gmt":"2023-06-25T12:40:57","slug":"hiking-elfin-lakes-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking the Elfin Lakes Trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park in Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/#Being_Too_Cool_for_School\" >Being Too Cool for School<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/#The_Bold_Beginning\" >The Bold Beginning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/#The_Reversing_of_the_Roles\" >The Reversing of the Roles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/#Staying_in_the_Elfin_Lakes_Shelter\" >Staying in the Elfin Lakes Shelter<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/#Some_very_%E2%80%9Csound%E2%80%9D_sleepers\" >Some very &#8220;sound&#8221; sleepers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/#Older_and_Wiser\" >Older and Wiser<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/#The_Final_Push\" >The Final Push<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/#Hiking_the_Elfin_Lakes_Trail_in_Winter_Spring_%E2%80%93_know_before_you_go\" >Hiking the Elfin Lakes Trail in Winter &amp; Spring &#8211; know before you go<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Elfin Lakes Trail starts near Squamish close to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/guide-sea-to-sky-highway-canada\/\">the spectacular\u00a0Sea to Sky Highway<\/a>. It&#8217;s a 22km return hike to the Elfin shelter and it&#8217;s not too arduous if you decide to split\u00a0it over 2 days as we did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, our journey wasn&#8217;t as stress-free as we would have liked. Adverse conditions, coupled with our naivety, made for some moments of hilarity, which at the time did not seem funny at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we arrived at the shelter we were relieved that we were not alone in our experiences. In fact, quite a few other members of the hut had made the same laborious journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being able to relate to other backcountry explorers like this made it easy to make friends. What made it so difficult you may wonder? Keep on reading and I will tell you all&nbsp;about it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>* If you are looking for useful information on doing this hike in the Winter\/Spring&nbsp;scroll to the bottom of the post.<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-10-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9541\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-10-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-10.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11699645699\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Being_Too_Cool_for_School\"><\/span>Being Too Cool for School<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Having slept in our van at the trailhead, 20 km northeast of Squamish, My partner and I woke up\u00a0early, after a peaceful night&#8217;s sleep, ready to hit the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was the end of May and we had been told by the visitor information centre in town that there was still a lot of snow on the Elfin Lakes trail. &nbsp;Even up to three metres in places!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We were also told&nbsp;that it was impossible to get to the Elfin Lakes shelter, our destination for the day, without snowshoes and\/or ski touring equipment. After mulling it over for all of about 2 minutes&nbsp;we decided to do it without either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our reasoning was that it was just after May long weekend and we knew the hut had been fully booked for the last few days. It meant the trail had recently been completed by a bunch of people and would therefore be packed. &nbsp;Hopefully, we wouldn\u2019t be sinking 3 metres into the snow, we thought to ourselves.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-19-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9549\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-19-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-19-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-19-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-19.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We have learned at the visitor information centre, that the Diamond Head Trail Parking Lot was notorious for break-ins and crime. We were road-tripping for the summer and everything we owned was in our van, therefore we couldn\u2019t afford to lose anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After searching high and low for somewhere to store our valuables in Squamish a solution came from one of the most unlikely places. We were chatting with the librarian about our situation and she kindly offered to keep our laptops, passports and most importantly hard drives with all our photos from recent travels,&nbsp;at her house!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Never underestimate the kindness of strangers, especially Canadian strangers. If you\u2019re reading this Nancy then thanks again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11699649699\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bold_Beginning\"><\/span>The Bold Beginning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-11-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9542\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-11-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-11.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After some granola, a banana and some last-minute packing we started out on the trail. We were slightly worried that a few people had left before us all wearing snowshoes but we, being defiant and bold (and mostly stubborn) decided to try anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After all, this wasn&#8217;t our first hike in the snow. Just a month earlier I <a href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/ha-ling-peak-sunrise-hike\/\">hiked up Ha Ling Peak<\/a>\u00a0in Canmore for sunrise.\u00a0When we first set foot on the snow we quickly realized that we were right. Relief flooded our veins as the trail was so packed it was like concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The snowshoers who had decided on their footwear before even seeing the snow were now looking very foolish as they struggled unnecessarily uphill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"9533\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9533\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-2-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"9534\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9534\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The first half of the trail is along an old service road that leads the first 5km to the Red Heather Hut. It\u2019s a slightly uphill gradual climb and\u00a0didn\u2019t take us very long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On our first of many snack breaks, we were interrupted by two beautiful Grey Jays, or Whiskey Jacks as they are more commonly known. They were playful and not afraid of human interaction even though we knew, that playing was the last thing on their minds. \u00a0All they wanted was to scavenge our crumbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, after a while they started pecking at our empty hands and that was when we realized, we weren\u2019t the Disney princesses we thought we were, but mere caterers to these cheeky varmints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11699650299\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Reversing_of_the_Roles\"><\/span>The Reversing of the Roles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-21-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9532\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-21-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-21-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-21-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-21.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After passing the first hut, the trail steepens until it reaches its highest point, it then follows the undulating Paul\u2019s Ridge which offers incredible views of Mount Atwell. &nbsp;Although we didn\u2019t see any, this part of Garibaldi National Park has the highest concentration of black bears so keep an eye out for them if you decide to go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-13-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9544\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-13-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-13-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-13.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul\u2019s ridge was the highlight of this entire hike for me, but we couldn\u2019t dillydally. Every moment the sun beat down onto the snow the top crust layer was becoming more and more slushy. With every passing step the chances of us dropping waist-deep into the snow were increasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As fast as we could walk, the inevitable began\u00a0to happen. We started post-holing through extremely wet snow, down the ridgeline, to the shelter that lay only a mere few kilometres away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These last few kilometres were horrible, the foolish\u00a0snowshoers didn\u2019t look so foolish now and quite honestly the roles at the start of the trail had been reversed. It was us who were the smug idiots, in the beginning, later turning into the bitter hikers, struggling with every step.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11699650899\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Staying_in_the_Elfin_Lakes_Shelter\"><\/span>Staying in the Elfin Lakes Shelter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-12-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9543\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-12-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-12-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-12.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After not talking for a while, because neither of us could think of a nice word to say, we saw the shelter in the distance. It looked so much smaller than all the photos I had seen of it, but I&nbsp;thought it must be the one, as there\u2019s nothing else around here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No lakes were to be seen, which again made me question whether we had already made it to our final destination or will have to keep going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After arriving we realized that the hut looked so small because the entire bottom level was completely covered on all sides with snow and people were walking out of the second story straight onto the \u201cten million tonnes of white b***shit\u201d Jack so eloquently described it as. I could tell he was over hiking in the slushy snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly to the hut, the lakes were also covered by at least 3 metres of snow and we could only roughly&nbsp;estimate where they were.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-6-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9537\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-6.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Down on the \u201cground\u201d level was dark as the snow completely covered all the windows but as you walked up the stairs into the 33-bed dormitory the brightness was overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though getting to the Elfin lakes shelter took us less than 4 hours, my boyfriend, who didn\u2019t take any sunglasses with him, spent almost a week recovering from snow blindness. Since we were one of the first ones to get to the shelter on that day we quickly secured bottom bunks and decided to check out the small venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upon emerging on the balcony I witnessed what was undoubtedly the most Canadian scene ever, people playing with a Frisbee in shorts and t-shirts whilst drinking cans of Alexander Keith\u2019s beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not that it was particularly cold, it was 25<strong>\u00b0<\/strong>C outside, so the t-shirts and shorts were completely understandable, but something in my European brain didn\u2019t quite add up. Crazy Canucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11699651299\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Some_very_%E2%80%9Csound%E2%80%9D_sleepers\"><\/span>Some very &#8220;sound&#8221; sleepers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"9548\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-18.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9548\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-18.jpg 800w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-18-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-18-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-18-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" data-id=\"9538\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9538\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-7-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-7-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-7-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After pouring what must have been at least a pint of water out of each shoe, I left my soaking footwear (and socks) in the sun in the hope that they would dry at least a little bit overnight. But not before long the urge to play Frisbee was too strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Squelching around the place like a drunk pirate who had just walked the plank I threw a white Frisbee in a world of snow, the results were inconsistent at best, but fun was had and friends were made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As more and more people arrived I was glad we were one of the first to get there and secured ourselves\u00a0a bottom bunk. As the evening wound on, everyone in the hut decided on an early night&#8217;s sleep. However not as much was had as we all would have wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was a snorer in our midst! I think snorer is such a polite word when the roaring snort of what sounded like a drunk rhinoceros spread-eagled on his back was igniting the fire of a thousand suns within me, and much other sleep-deprived backcountry explorers. After a few relatively civil words with a said snorer and one incessant rustler a somewhat peaceful night was had, before the 5 am alarm clocks started chiming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of a sudden the idea of carrying a tent next time didn&#8217;t seem so bad. I was very jealous of all those people who decided to stay in tents as opposed to the shelter. They looked so picturesque dotted around the place, not to mention the silence encapsulated them, as opposed to the chaos created by the 20+ people in the shelter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11699661699\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Older_and_Wiser\"><\/span>Older and Wiser<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-8-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9539\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-8-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-8.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though the previous day was very warm and today\u00a0was predicted to be close to 30<strong>\u00b0<\/strong>C, at night the temperature plummeted to nearly\u00a0freezing. After a hard-boiled egg and a slice of bread, we embarked on our return journey at ca 6 am. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once again the snow hardened overnight and the trail was pretty packed. Older and wiser this time, we knew it wouldn\u2019t last long. We tried to get out as quickly as possible, squelching our inevitably wet boots as fast as our tired legs would allow them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After an hour we were at the top of Paul\u2019s Ridge and then slid down the hill toward the Red Heather Hut, where we were again greeted by the resident whiskey jacks begging for food with their serene harmonies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11699666299\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Final_Push\"><\/span>The Final Push<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-20-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9550\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-20-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-20-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-20-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-20.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After a short break, we soldiered on with what was probably trench foot by now and we&#8217;re finally close to the car park. This last bit being all downhill was super easy. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shortly before we emerged, what some would say victorious, we came across a group of hikers in converse and jeans. Unbeknownst to them we warned them and told them about our previous day&#8217;s naivety and that the trail would get a lot worse, especially in the strong afternoon sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Headstrong, just like we were on the first day, they didn\u2019t heed our advice and continued on top of the false security of the morning&#8217;s snow crust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually, we were in the car. Our \u201cwaterproof\u201d boots were soon taken off and bags unpacked and we were on our way to get our valuables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although we weren\u2019t prepared for the amount of snow that still lingered on the trail at the end of May, we still had a great time. Elfin Lakes trail is a beautiful\u00a0hike, but if we were going to repeat it, we would do it in the summer, when the trail\u00a0is clear of snow and the actual lakes emerge from beneath a few feet of snow!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cc-m-header-11747599899\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hiking_the_Elfin_Lakes_Trail_in_Winter_Spring_%E2%80%93_know_before_you_go\"><\/span>Hiking the Elfin Lakes Trail in Winter &amp; Spring &#8211; know before you go<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-15-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9546\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-15-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-15-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-15-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Elfin-Lakes-Trail-15.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Smart people learn from their mistakes. Geniuses learn from others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Follow the route<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The hike to Elfin Lakes is one of the very few hikes in the Garibaldi Provincial Park that&#8217;s walkable in the winter and spring. The route is clearly marked with orange poles and very easy to follow. It&#8217;s worth noting that the winter trail differs slightly from the summer route. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rent&nbsp;Snowshoes!<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It may cost you more, but you are going to enjoy it a lot more and won&#8217;t have to rush out on the last day as we had to. There are a few rental places in Squamish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bring a tent &amp; snow shovel!<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking back at it now I would have much preferred to stay in a tent as opposed to the shelter. You can still use the&nbsp;shelter&#8217;s facilities (stove, very stinky outhouses), but you won&#8217;t have to sacrifice your sanity when sleeping in a 33 person dorm!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make a reservation at the hut<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Bookings are required for both campsites and shelters. You can reserve your spot online at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovercamping.ca\/bccweb\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.discovercamping.ca\/bccweb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BC Parks Discover Camping website.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Elfin Lakes Trail starts near Squamish close to\u00a0the spectacular\u00a0Sea to Sky Highway. It&#8217;s a 22km return hike to the Elfin shelter and it&#8217;s not too arduous if you decide to split\u00a0it over 2 days as we did. However, our journey wasn&#8217;t as stress-free as we would have liked. Adverse conditions, coupled with our naivety, &#8230; <a title=\"Hiking the Elfin Lakes Trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park in Spring\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/hiking-elfin-lakes-trail\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Hiking the Elfin Lakes Trail in Garibaldi Provincial Park in Spring\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[122],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-canadian-rockies-day-hikes","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=712"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20554,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/712\/revisions\/20554"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=712"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=712"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inafarawayland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=712"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}