Little Diamond Head

With an abundance of spectacular views and its accessibility to the nearby major population centers, Garibaldi Provincial Park has gained year-round popularity with novices and backcountry experts alike.

The Diamond Head section trails start along an old logging road, rising streadily through the forest with the occasional glimpse out to the top of the Howe Sound. The grade starts to ease and the tall timber thins as the route approaches the Red Heather Hut, showing more ground cover and peaty tarns.

The trail opens further to offer views behind of the Tantulus Range and then Atwell Peak as you approach the peak of Round Mountain. Undulating westward along the ridgeline, Opal Cone emerges just before views of Elfin Lakes perched above valleys with the wrap-around backdrop of jagged peaks. Deer and black bear are common through this portion of the trail.

The segment from Elfin Lakes up to the Gargoyles offers an abrupt contrast to the previous portions of the trail. The sparse hillside and rocky terrain - a reminder of the region's volcanic origins - can be hard work. What little groundcover there is has worked hard to gain a footing, so please be mindful of yours.

Your perseverance beyond the Gargoyles will be rewarded with a stunning array of scenery. Views open up over Squamish and down Howe Sound and to the north into the park's famed icefields, and alpine and morainne lakes dot the landscape. The views become increasingly expansive as the trail progresses until you find yourself on atop Little Diamond Head, surrounded by glaciers and valleys.

Note: Horses and mountain bikes are only permitted from the trailhead to Elfin Lakes.