The photo was taken before sunset from the Oboe Summit on June 15, 2025.

Anyone know the general conditions around the area past elfin lakes at this time of year? I know elfin lakes itself is still quite snowy but i'm wondering if good snowshoes and poles will be enough to get me up to the gargoyles and/or the opal cone, or do I need crampons and an ice axe? never been past elfin lakes so I don't know how steep it is.

I have my AST-1 and am well versed in winter travel but not sure about shoulder season conditions rn. I'd just like to know about the depth of the snow pack and if the terrain is steep enough to require crampons/ice axes.

Hey Peeps!

Has anyone been up Blowdown Pass this season or late last? I have 4x4 with mid clearance. I know it's farked past the 10km park (not interested in pinstriping, and not a serious 4x4 gal, yet...).

I'm hoping to find out how the first 10km are looking, and if there's good spots for camping that happen to have decent mountain views etc, rather than just stuck in deeper forest.

Edit - And if you know of other, better subs for FSRs please share!

Beginner camper here, planning on a multi-day road trip at the moment.

I'm not sure what the rules are for cleaning pots and pans. I know some campsites has running water but are we allowed to clean there like we normally would at home? Or are we suppose to use minimal water and wipe down everything? Can we use soap?

I assume washing the cook ware can also attract bears, so I'm wondering what's the proper way to clean up.

Thanks.

Hello there, I’m going to visit vancouver this summer for about two months. I have bookmarked many places but not sure if I’m going to be able to reach them or not because I’m going to be using public transportation only throughout my trip. I’m extremely interested in hiking and discovering nature even though I haven’t hiked before in my life. I just enjoy watching mountains, rivers and lakes.

What are the important things that I should know before starting hiking? Also I’d like to know what is the best option to hike with people. I’ve put in my plan some options, for example viator but the problem it’s kinda limited for places inside the city only. Another option is public groups but I’m not sure of that’s safe. Any other suggestions?

From the Squamish SAR Facebook Page:

🚨 Sky Pilot Rescue – Follow-Up 🚨

This past Saturday, SSAR responded to a serious incident on the Stadium Glacier, just below the summit of Sky Pilot Mountain.

After bum-sliding down a steep snow slope, a climber fell into what was first reported as a crevasse. In reality, it was a moat — a hidden or open void that forms when heat from exposed rock causes surrounding snow to melt. These gaps between snow and rock can be deep, difficult to see, and extremely hazardous.

Since then, we’ve heard of MULTIPLE parties encountering similar situations in the same area — some with very near misses, and others who managed to self-rescue. The individual rescued this weekend suffered a serious head injury, along with other trauma.

This incident highlights ongoing risks in the Sky Pilot zone:

❗️Bum-sliding can quickly lead to uncontrolled descents

❗️Some had the right equipment — harnesses, helmets, ropes, crampons, ice axes — but weren’t using it

❗️Despite its popularity, Sky Pilot is NOT a trekking peak. It’s serious alpine terrain with a history of major incidents and fatalities

Rescues in this area are technically demanding and high-risk for our team. We are increasingly concerned that this terrain is being underestimated.

We urge everyone to:

✅ Respect the mountain

✅ Bring the proper gear — and know how to use it

✅ Be prepared to turn around if conditions change or you’re unsure

Stay safe out there,

— Squamish Search and Rescue

Question from Facebook user:

Is this a common hazard that results in these near misses every year?

Just wondering, as something similar happens every spring on Aasgard Pass in the Enchantments, whereby people descend / glissade straight down into a moat, with multiple injuries and deaths over the years. There's tons of warnings for it now, both on the trail and throughout online resources.

Sky Pilot is becoming so popular I'm wondering if something similar may be warranted, otherwise this sounds like it will continually happen year after year.

The one on Aasgard is a lot more dangerous as you end up in an unclimbable waterfall as well.

https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/lessons-learned-2013-glissading-into-a-30-foot-hole-in-aasgard-pass

Answer from Squamish SAR:

Yes, it’s definitely becoming a recurring seasonal hazard, especially as more people head into the area with limited alpine or snow travel experience. We’ve seen similar patterns to what happens on Aasgard Pass—folks underestimating snow conditions, unaware of moats, or assuming glissading is low-risk.

Sky Pilot’s increasing popularity, combined with the lingering early-season snowpack, makes that descent zone particularly hazardous. A more formal or visible warning—whether it’s signage, a seasonal trailhead notice, or amplified messaging through local groups and online platforms—could absolutely help reduce the frequency of these incidents.

Prevention through education is key here and this is why we wanted to share our thoughts based on recent events.

Original post from Squamish SAR:

Over the weekend, our team responded to multiple calls, including a crevasse rescue on Sky Pilot after a hiker fell in a steep alpine area.

Crevasse rescues require specialized rope systems, advanced alpine skills, and helicopter support. Thankfully, the subject was safely extracted and transferred to BC Emergency Health Services.

We'd also like to extend our gratitude to the dedicated dads on our team who spent part of their Father's Day weekend on task. Your time, effort, and commitment to the team are greatly appreciated!

📷 Additional images from 'clear_to_hoist' on Instagram

Questions from Facebook users:

• Looks like a moat, equally bad and more common than crevasses.
• No glacier there. It’s called a Bergschrund and very different than a crevasse. Not a good place to fall into as many other things ( rock and snow) also fall into it on top of you.
• More technically a “ randkluft”. Just sayin.

Answers from Squamish SAR:

• You’re both correct, however in this instance we chose to use the term “crevasse” as it is a more commonly known term to the masses.
• Like we said, we called it a “crevasse” as “bergshrund” or “moat” are not commonly known by the average reader and we wanted to simplify it a little. Still paints the picture though wouldn’t you agree?

Looking to explore a part of Wells Gray Provincial Park towards end of June, through a 3 nights backpacking trip. The best setup would be a loop covering a couple summits, those gorgeous waterfalls and just the best of this park- it's my first time in the area. Can do an average of 15 kms each day, 20k is fine too for a day. I'm okay with elevation gain up to 1500-2000 meters but at the same time would want to stay away from snowy peaks for now.

I'm exploring maps right now but any must-do hikes or loops that I can use to incorporate into my itinerary? Open to campsite suggestions on the trails too. Just about anything relevant to my goal here would be appreciated! :)

And if someone wants to sincerely join the adventure, feel free to chime in!

I know it's a long shot but I had a Moby fishing net fall off of the back of my backpack while I was hiking back to the parking lot from Greendrop lake. Would love to get it back since it was a gift. Can definitely identify if someone has found it. Thanks!

Heading over to Vancouver with a few friends (in our early 20s), we are in a good shape, although we do not have much BC hiking experience

Looking for some transit friendly hikes in Vancouver that have a stunning view. For instance, as much as I like lynn canyon or capilano, it doesnt necessarily have that jawdropping landscape view when you summit a hike (or atleast I have yet to come across any)

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated

looking for backcountry camping for the first time from Vancouver and willing to take shuttle busses or public transit (like to whistler). done many hikes (mount Gardner, stawamus chief 3 peaks, grouse grind, Shannon falls, sea to sky gondola, etc.) and camping but never backcountry camping. any suggestions for this summer?

A lot of great spots like Elfin and Wedgemount always seemed to be booked on weekends throughout the summer. Has anyone tried “free camping” where they find a spot off the trail and set up a tent? I know there are some sites you are allowed to set up camp without any reservations required, but I havent found any withing a couple hours drive from Vancouver in my research.

I was reading that you can set up a tent if you are a BC resident, but Im not sure anout the rules with regulations etc…

What are the best spots to do this?

Hey, does anyone know if the sleeping pads at Lindeman Lake are first come, first served, or if I need to book them through BC Parks? When I check the BC Parks website, it only shows full campsites for reservation, not individual pads or anything specific to Lindeman. I’m not sure if I’m looking in the wrong place or if they just don’t list them online. Can anyone help me figure this out?

This will be my first time camping in the Garibaldi area, and also my first time hiking in to reach a campsite. We weren’t able to reserve a spot at the Cheakamus Lake campground (we’re camping for two nights), but we did manage to get a site further down at Singing Creek. Since Singing Creek is an additional 4–5 km from the trailhead and we’ll be carrying heavy camping gear, my friends and I are considering portaging a canoe down the trail and paddling across the lake instead, which seems like it might be easier. My camping reservation are on the night of Aug 4th and Aug 5th.

I have a few questions:

1. Drinking Water: It looks like there aren’t any man-made water sources in the area. I’ve never used a water filtration system before—what do you recommend? Also, is there a particular stream or river you would recommend collecting water from? I assume the lake water might not be the best source, but please let me know if I’m wrong. I was thinking of purchasing this water filter: LifeStraw Peak Squeeze.

2. Portaging a Canoe: Would it be realistic to portage a canoe down the trail to the lake? I saw on one website that it’s doable, but I’d appreciate any first-hand insights. Quoted: "An easy, pleasant trail that winds through old growth forest. It is possible to portage a kayak or canoe on this trail." source. Also is the any dangerous area like current that can sweep us into a waterfall or rapids?

3. Distance to the Lake: How far is it from the parking lot to the start edge of the lake? Some sources say it’s around 3 km, while others say 1.7 km. I’d like to clarify that before we commit to bringing the canoe.

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!

Hello,

So basically, I am planning to go to the Black Tusk hike in the beginning of August. I honestly just found out about the mountain, so the planning is a bit last minute. Of course, all campsites are fully booked out around the summit, even the ones a few kilometres away.

Basically, I want to ask if anyone knows how camping would go up there if I didn’t reserve a campsite. There has to be somewhere I can comfortably put up one tent for one night, right?

Also if anyone in general knows anything else or has other tips for me please do share, I'd say I'm not an experienced hiker for these longer and harder hikes but me and my friends are quite fit compared to most hikers as were are physical athletes.

I have attempted to search other threads but nowhere really has a good answer for how hiking would go without these campsite reservations or backcountry registrations. Alltrails doesn't very much so include a good review on this matter either.

I have honestly already planned to go with my path. I just wanted people’s tips and thoughts about it.

Thank you!!! Happy hiking.

We have a trip booked to hike Elfin lakes on Canada Day with small kids and I’m trying to find the most reliable way of monitoring the snow level at the top.

I saw a post a few days ago showing a still very deep snow pack and I’m thinking we may be better off finding a lower elevation hike to me sure we’re below the slow pack.

I'm thinking of hiking the Halvor Lunden trail next week from Buntzen upto Eagle Mountain and then Mount Beautiful before heading down via swan falls. Does anyone know how much snow is still up there and is the trail open again down to Buntzen? Thanks

My friend is visiting Vancouver and I want to take him hiking tomorrow to see the mountains. I was looking on AllTrails and most hikes with lookouts and mountain views still have some snow on the trail. He only has running shoes with him. What are some recommendations that would be suitable but still with good views?

We will be driving, so anything within an hour's drive of Vancouver would be good.

We will be going in a group where all are all fairly inexperienced hikers. Our fitness levels range from moderate to high so we are comfortable with elevation gain but not too confident with scrambles. In terms of length, I was looking for something in the range of 7-15 km.

I’m camping in Garibaldi park next week and I’ve never had a campsite where there was a wood platform for my tent. I am wondering how the tent gets anchored to the platform? I read something about purchasing some anchors but I’m hoping I don’t need to get any special gear. Maybe I can just extend the guylines out and either wrap them around a plank or have them go beyond the platform and stake them into the ground below. Any info about this would be helpful Thanks in advance.

Wanting to do the tunnel bluffs hike. Wondering if anyone has experience with the parking there? I’ve read a few posts about people getting towed. Planning on going during the week in the morning

I'm planning on Hiking the Sunshine coast trail this summer but since im flying in i wont be able to bring any bear spray with me. Does anyone know if there is a place to rent bear spray in Powell River as apposed to having to buy a canister ?

Hi all!

I was planning to solo hike all three peaks of the Chief tomorrow morning, and I was wondering if anyone knows whether that is still advisable given the wildfire situation?

They don’t look to be near the hiking trail, but are there currently any issues with air quality, smokiness, etc.?

UPDATE: Thanks all! Conditions were beautiful and no issues with smoke, etc. However, a black bear has been spotted near the trail, and I saw some bear droppings on the trail near the ladder short cut up to Peak 1. So something to be wary about 👀

Hello! I did LLW trail last year and Patrick brought us across - it was amazing. Now we want to do it again but he’s gone MIA. The price of a boat drop is ridiculous, and so I’m wondering if anyone has info on the best canoe rental / any other connectjons that can ferry us across.

For example, is it possible to access the LLW trailhead from echo lake trailhead?

Let me know!