The Black Tusk Loop via Garibaldi Lake Trail(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate loop trail to The Black Tusk in Garibaldi Provincial Park and features one of the best trails in the province. Although the slog up from the parking lot can be a bit dull, the quality of the trail allows for a very good pace. The hike is easy to moderate up until the summit. The hike up to the summit ridge is very loose, and in the summer dusty with abundant scree. The summit ridge itself presents some objective danger, a helmet is a good idea as the mountain tends to spit out fist sized and larger chunks of rock. If you decide to summit, continue along the ramp and traverse the narrow path directly under the Tusk, keep going left and don't make the mistake of taking one of the early chimneys up. Find the obvious flat area with a view down to the microwave tower, and go up the 4th/5th class chimney, easy climbing, but wear a helmet. This takes you to the false summit. The true summit is not trivial, and if you're interested in doing it, will require some research.

This trail goes by Taylor Meadows and Barrier Lake.

Getting Started

Parking is abundant and very good.

Taking Children

1 out of 10 for a summit attempt, 4 out of 10 for a summit ridge, 6 out of 10 if only going to the lake. The level of danger rises very rapidly after the lake, and seeing a child under 10 on the summit ridge would be unusual.