Mount Garibaldi
Mountain Glaciated stratovolcano near Vancouver, popular mountaineering objective
Part of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish, Mount Garibaldi offers glacier-carved ridges and alpine routes; mountaineers, backcountry skiers and hikers use trails and huts to access high-country scenery north of Vancouver.
Mount Garibaldi is a volcanic mountain in southwestern British Columbia with an elevation of about 2,678 metres. It lies within Garibaldi Provincial Park and forms a prominent part of the Coast Mountains skyline.
The mountain and surrounding parkland offer alpine scenery, glaciers, and rugged backcountry terrain accessed from trails and routes in the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Its glaciers and volcanic landforms are points of interest for climbers, hikers, and mountaineers.
Garibaldi is part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt and was built by lava and pyroclastic eruptions during the Pleistocene and later volcanic activity. The mountain and adjacent valleys have been used for mountaineering and recreation since the early 20th century.
The peak sits north of the Vancouver metropolitan area in southwestern British Columbia, within Garibaldi Provincial Park and visible from parts of the Squamish and Whistler region.
- Park and volcanic belt: Part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt and located within Garibaldi Provincial Park, it is a major backcountry destination near the Sea-to-Sky corridor north of Vancouver.
- Elevation and visibility: Elevation is about 2,678 metres, making it one of the higher peaks in southwestern British Columbia and visible from parts of the Vancouver region on clear days.
How to Get to Mount Garibaldi #
Mount Garibaldi (Garibaldi Provincial Park) is reached by road from Vancouver: drive north on BC‑99 (the Sea‑to‑Sky Highway) about 60-80 km to the Squamish area, then follow park signage to the Garibaldi Provincial Park access roads and established trailheads (for example Rubble Creek for the Garibaldi Lake/Garibaldi massif approaches). The final approach to the mountain requires a long hike or technical mountaineering from the trailhead-plan for several hours to days on foot and check park access and trail conditions before travel.
Tips for Visiting Mount Garibaldi #
- Use the Rubble Creek trailhead off Highway 99 (Sea-to-Sky) and set out very early in summer - the parking lot fills fast and an early start also reduces exposure to afternoon thunderstorms common in the Coast Mountains.
- If you plan to go beyond day-hike routes toward technical terrain or glaciers, treat it as a mountaineering objective: glacier travel, crevasse risk and route-finding require rope skills and proper alpine equipment rather than casual hiking gear.
- Book any backcountry camping or overnight stays through BC Parks in advance and consider alternate itineraries (e.g., Black Tusk/Taylor Meadows) if you want similar scenery with fewer crowds.
Best Time to Visit Mount Garibaldi #
The best time to visit Mount Garibaldi for hiking or climbing is mid-summer (July-September) when trails are most accessible.
Weather & Climate near Mount Garibaldi #
Mount Garibaldi's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from -12°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1515 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -12°C. Significant rainfall (195 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Significant rainfall (146 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm).
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April
April is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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July
July is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (207 mm).
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December
December is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -12°C. Significant rainfall (195 mm).
