I last hiked this trail in 2019. Since then, BC Parks has introduced a day pass system. A day pass is required on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays up to and including October 13, 2025. To avoid the crowds and the need for a pass, we chose to hike on a Thursday.
We arrived at the trailhead at 7:40 a.m. and found the parking lot about three-quarters full, so parking was not an issue. At the start of our hike, there was only one person ahead of us. As we made our way up, we occasionally passed or were passed by other hikers, but overall, the trail was far less busy than it would be on a weekend.
The trail itself is a wide, well-marked path with numerous switchbacks, and it's uphill the entire way. At the Taylor Meadows junction, there's an outhouse—note that there's no toilet paper provided, so bring your own. Compared to our last visit in 2019, the condition of this outhouse was much improved and very tidy.
From the junction onward, the incline is less steep but still steady. When you reach the lake, you'll cross a small bridge and then follow pink flagging tape. The water level was higher in some areas, so the tape marked a short detour away from the usual shoreline route.
Garibaldi Lake never disappoints—the views are absolutely stunning.