October - Best Hiking Destinations in and Around Whistler and Garibaldi Park

Average low/high valley temps in Whistler in October range from 3c to 16c (38f/60f)

Hiking in Whistler in October is often fantastic.  The days are much shorter and colder but the mountains are alive with colour from the fall leaves.  On the higher elevations there is often a dusting of snow that makes everything look amazing.  Picking a full moon evening to to hike in a place like Joffre Lakes or Wedgemount Lake makes for an incredible night or day hike in the mountains.

Some great places to go hiking in October are places like Ancient Cedars.  Just a short drive from Whistler Village takes you up Cougar Mountain along a bumpy logging road to this 5k roundtrip hike to some of Whistler's most impressive trees.  Ancient Cedars was inadvertently missed by logging years ago and has now become a cherished forest of massive trees.

Parkhurst Ghost Town is another great October hike.  Best accessed by canoe from across Green Lake, this amazing piece of Whistler history is particularly beautiful with gold and orange leaves everywhere giving it an eerie calm about it.  This abandoned decades ago ghost town is a relic of Whistler's varied past.  Long before it was the paradise resort town it became, Whistler was a fishing and logging town.  Parkhurst was a logging town, perched on the shores of Green Lake and on the rail line.

Some of the most picturesque hikes of the year can be done in October, but you do have to be prepared to deal with the cold, wet and darkness that comes with fall in Whistler.  Cheakamus Lake and Rainbow Lake are amazing in October as they have such wonderful forests.

Have a look at the best places to hike in Whistler here.. and the best easy places to hike in Whistler here..

Just a short drive south of Whistler in Squamish there are some great hiking trips, excellent in October.  Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief are great and relatively easy.  Roundtrip to see both from the same trailhead a Shannon Falls should only take you about 3 hours.

Further south in Vancouver there are some amazing hikes with great views of Howe Sound including, the Lions, St Mark's Summit and many more.  An easy, yet amazing array of hiking trails can be found at Lighthouse Park just a short drive from the Sea to Sky Highway.  If you've not seen this park and are driving to or from Vancouver you should take a look.  The trails run from 2k to 10k and have fantastic ocean views across to Vancouver and the Lions Gate Bridge.

Black Tusk in Garibaldi Park is amazing to climb in October

Black Tusk is the amazing pinnacle of volcanic rock visible for hundreds of kilometres and located near the centre of Garibaldi Park.  Black Tusk, along with the Chief in Squamish are the most astoundingly noticeable peaks in the Garibaldi Range.  170,000 years ago the Black Tusk was created when a lava dome formed within a million year old, volcanic cinder cone.  The cinder cone is crumbling away, revealing the starkly black, hardened lava dome within.  Looking at the Black Tusk from a distance, two things seem incredible.  First, that such an unusual thing formed, and second that there is a trail that takes you to its peak.  With a little sketchy and dangerous, though non technical climbing, you can get to the top of Black Tusk.  It is a fairly long dayhike as you cover 30k on the roundtrip hike.  There are three very nice campgrounds in the area allowing for a beautiful, multi-day hiking trip to the area.  Helm Creek one one side of Black Tusk and Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lake campgrounds on the other side provide dozens of beautiful places to put up a tent.  The final ascent of Black Tusk is a bit scary and dangerous so be prepared.  You have to climb a narrow, steep and crumbly chute up about 10 metres to reach the top.  Quite a few people don't climb this last part and instead just take in the extraordinary views from the base.  Either way, Black Tusk is unquestionably one of the best of the best hikes in the Whistler area and in Garibaldi Park.  Though it is best hiked July to October, many people brave the hike during the snowy months.

Why should you hike Black Tusk?

Hiking to the top of Black Tusk is certainly one of the most extraordinary and memorable hikes around Whistler.  It is a tremendous hiking workout as you gain 1735 metres in the 15k from trailhead to summit.  It is an exhilarating hike as the last summit chute requires some courage and daring.

More on Hiking to Black Tusk in Garibaldi Park Near Whistler >>

October Fall colours are beautiful at Ancient Cedars in Whistler

Ancient Cedars often gets overlooked by hikers in Whistler.  Certainly the large numbers of centuries old, massive cedars found in much of the other Whistler area hikes makes looking for them on a specific hike less of a priority.  For example, hike the short 3k trail to Cheakamus Lake and you will marvel at the size, frequency and wonderful aroma of these massive and numerous giant cedars.  The Wedgemount Lake trail also has some majestic cedars along the hike.  You can even walk through an impressive grove of huge cedars on the Valley Trail at the end of the Whistler Golf Club.  None of them compare, however, to the Ancient Cedars Trail.  They are extraordinarily huge and some are estimated to be a thousand years old.  The trailhead to Ancient Cedars is just a short drive north of Whistler.  Just past Green Lake on Highway 99, you turn left on Cougar Mountain Rd and drive 4.5k up a bumpy logging road.  As logging roads go it is not bad.  If you are driving a car you should be OK as long as you take it slow.  The Ancient Cedars trail is well marked and well worn and only gradually uphill for the 2.5k hike, trailhead to ancient forest.  At the Ancient Cedars forest there is a short circle trail that takes you throughout the giants then leads you back to the main trail for the return journey.  The whole 5k Ancient Cedars roundtrip should take you less than two hours.  Unlike most other Whistler hiking trails, Ancient Cedars is dog friendly.  Unfortunately snow makes the road undrivable much of the year, so you can only reliably get up there July to October.  Depending on the snowfall June and November are often possible as well.

Why should you hike Ancient Cedars?

The most impressive cedars in Whistler and a nice, easy and relaxing hike.  Can be combined with a scenic drive north of Whistler to see the Green Lake viewpoint.

More Hiking Info for Ancient Cedars in Whistler >>

Callaghan Lake near Whistler is wonderfully serene in October

Callaghan Lake is not really a hiking destination but more of a drive to campsite on a beautiful lake, and gateway to some beautiful intermediate hikes.  The campsite is small and looks a bit like a parking lot with about 6 spots to put up a tent.  There is a proper boat launch at the campsite and the lake is large and beautiful to paddle.  Surrounded by snowy mountains and nice rock outcrops the lake is good for fishing.  If you have a canoe or boat of some kind you can find numerous, breathtaking places to camp.  There is even a small island a short  five minute paddle away that has a beautiful clearing for a tent, a fire ring and crystal clear water all around, deep enough to dive into.  If you don't have access to a boat you should pick up one of those hilarious, $20 inflatable boats that you find for sale everywhere and bring it along.  You could easily use one to ferry your gear/tent across to this above mentioned island as a trail leads to the island with just a 8 metre gap of 1 metre deep water.  Either that or walk with your pack above your head.  Either way camping at this little island is an absolute paradise when compared to the parking lot of a campsite 300 metres away.  The hiking trails are minimal here due to the steepness and deep forest surrounding the lake.  At the far end of the lake the rustic and steep Cirque Lake trail runs along the side of the crashing waterfall all the way to the breathtaking Cirque Lake.  If you are motivated and have a canoe this is an amazing area to hike in mostly untouched wilderness where the alpine allows for hiking in several directions to countless lakes and glaciers beyond.  The Callaghan Lake campsite is free to use and is notorious for being a bit rowdy during summer weekends, which does make it a friendly and fun place, but if you are looking for quiet and peace you may find it bothersome and should seek out one of the many, extraordinarily beautiful, boat accessed, backcountry tent sites.

Why should you go to Callaghan Lake?

Convenient, drive right to the lake (4x4 is recommended due to the massive and frequent potholes as well as frequent, deep waterbars).  If you have a boat or canoe you can explore many beautiful areas of the lake and take several short hikes.

More Hiking and Camping Info for Callaghan Lake >>

Cheakamus Lake in October is extraordinarily beautiful with the Fall colours

Cheakamus Lake is an easy, relaxing hike in Garibaldi Park just a short, 16k drive from Whistler Village.  The trail to the lake is in an amazing forest of giant cedars. Running along the beautiful Cheakamus River the hike is short and easy.  The trail runs along the lake, passing some small, wonderful campsites, and very small beaches.  The first 3k of the trail takes you along the beautiful Cheakamus River to the start of Cheakamus Lake and the first campsite area.  There are 10 very nice and hidden tent pads on or near the lake shore.  There is excellent water from several creeks in the area and a bear proof food hang as well as tidy outhouses here.  Another 3k further on the trail takes you to some beautiful viewpoints on the ever increasingly majestic Cheakamus Lake trail.  Huge trees, turquoise lake, snow capped mountains, and even the occasional bear siting make this hike one of Whistler's best and most family and kid friendly hikes around.  The trail is never strenuous and constantly beautiful with the wonderful smells that come with an old growth cedar forest.  The campsite at 6k on the Cheakamus Lake trail consists of another 7 tent sites beautifully blended into the surroundings, another bear proof food hang and outhouse.  There are dozens of cute little beaches all along the trail which invite swimming in the crystal clear, though bitterly cold water.  Cheakamus Lake has always been known for its good fishing so bring your rod and sit back in the sun.  Which you will see a lot of.  The entire trail and mini beaches are south facing and capture the sun the entire day.  The road to Cheakamus Lake is covered in snow until about mid May every year, but from May to October it is clear enough to drive.  There is no charge to park at the parking lot/trailhead, though there is a charge for overnight camping.  $10/adults, $5/kid.  Take a look at the BC Parks site for info on paying or just pay by cash at the drop box at the trailhead.

Why should you hike Cheakamus Lake?

Beautiful, huge tree forest, easy kid friendly trail, pristine Garibaldi Park wilderness and a spectacular and huge lake.  Excellent campsites and numerous hidden beaches and wonderful, though very cold, swimming.  Known for great fishing.

More Hiking and Camping Info for Cheakamus Lake in Garibaldi Park >>

Joffre Lakes is always amazing and particularly in October

Joffre Lakes is one of the most beautiful lakes you are likely to ever see.  There are three lakes and they get progressively more beautiful.  By the third lake the intense blue is breathtaking.  The mighty Matier Glacier rises above the third lake, making the experience even more spectacular.  The trail is rough and tricky in some parts, but not terribly difficult.  The trail is 5.5km to the third lake so give yourself 1.5 - 2 hours(one way).  Snowshoeing is easy and relaxing to Joffre Lakes.  There is no avalanche danger if you keep to the trail and do not continue past the third lake.  The only danger is losing the trail (mainly on the way back to your car).  I've never snowshoed Joffre Lakes without seeing an easily visible trail of ski or snowshoe tracks in the snow however, the days are short in the winter and when the light fades the ski/snowshoe tracks you easily followed on the way up become harder to discern.  This is a bit worrying though the contours of the land push you toward the first lake near the parking lot.  To be safe you should always have a map or gps and headlight with you in the winter and be extra cautious about leaving early and returning early to get lots of light on the trail.

Why should you hike the Joffre Lakes Trail?

The drive to the trailhead is beautiful and you can see some interesting sights on the way from Whistler.  Nairn Falls, the cute town of Pemberton, North Arm Farm and great views of Lillooet Lake are all convenient pit stops on the 1.5 hour drive to Joffre Lakes.  The lakes are extremely beautiful and accessible for only a moderately difficult, family friendly hike.

More Hiking Trail Info for Joffre Lakes >>

Best Hiking Trails in Whistler >>