Extremely Important: Safety Concern
The Black Tusk is a climbers’ paradise. Despite all the information about Black Tusk hike online, it is very easy to lose trail especially on the Black Tusk False Summit (On the descent). Why is that? I will talk about it in this article.
In this blog post I would try to feature everything you need to know about hiking The Black Tusk Trail. You’ll find all the must-know information, a description of my experience hiking the trail, some questions to help you decide if you should take on the challenge, packing suggestions, and much more! There are two ways to get to the Black Tusk:
- Hiking via Cheakamus Lake Parking lot called Helm Creek Hike over the lava field
- Hiking via Rubble Creek (Less strenuous route)
I have done both over the years and I would post pictures here. Now, it depends how badly you would want to Summit as a day hike, I would recommend taking Rubble Creek route via beautiful Taylor Meadows. The Cheakamus Lake Parking lot (Helm Creek) has higher grade slope making it difficult as a day hike but very rewarding once it opens up at the lava field. You end up at an open field with Black Tusk Chimney to your right. Once you cross the lava field and a small creek/copper lake, there is still quite a ways from there to the junction where you would make a sharp right turn towards the Black Tusk final scramble push. At the junction, it merges onto the same route you would take via Rubble Creek to go to Panorama Ridge as well.
Must-Know Black Tusk Information
I found it difficult to find all this information in one spot… so in an effort to make it easier for you all, below is some must-know information for planning a hiking or backpacking trip to Panorama Ridge!
Location: Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada.
Distance: 26 km / 20 miles * (round trip), with 1575 m / 5170 ft elevation gain.
Popularity: high, you won’t be the only one out on this trail!
When to go: July through October, less busy on weekdays.
Camping: allowed at Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lake with reservation.
Toilets: at parking lot, Taylor Meadows, the Black Tusk junction, and Garibaldi Lake.
Parking via Helm Creek at Cheakmus Lake lot: at the Rubble Creek parking lot (arrive early)
Parking via Rubble Creek at Cheakmus Lake lot:
Dogs: not permitted in Garibaldi Provincial Park.
Cost: free parking
Bears: this is bear country, be prepared.
Keep in mind: garbage facilities are not provided, pack out what you pack in.
GPX Map: Download here
Our Experience
Every time I hiked The Black Tusk or Panorama Ridge, I have always wondered how this painting ended up here. I have climbed, hiked many other mountains, Garibaldi park view from Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk Summit is unmatched.
Hiking to Taylor Meadows
20 steep switch backs, about 8 kilometres from the parking lot with about 1040m, 3445 feet elevation gain, make it a hard hike to Taylor Meadows.
I also loved that this section of the trail was nearly entirely shaded by trees and the path was nice and wide for passing other hikers. Arriving into Taylor Meadows was absolutely gorgeous!
Hiking to The Black Tusk Junction
From Taylor Meadows, we took our first break at a pond where you see the Black Tusk in the background. In my opinion, this was the best break we took. We had our BreakFast/Lunch here, fuelled up before continuing to the junction. Depending on the angle you make, the view from here is very picturesque.
Hiking from The Black Tusk Junction to Black Tusk Scree – I
After the black tusk/panorama ridge junction the hike to the black tusk scree becomes more beautiful looking back at the snow filled Tentalus Range Glaciers; The Table, Atwell Peak, Panorama Ridge with beautiful view of Garibaldi upper lake to your right and The Black Tusk chimney to your left.
Once you reach at the point where you would see a boulder field, it is very easy to lose trail because it looks like you need to go left to continue going towards the black tusk. The route goes along the boulder field, turns left and continue towards the last spot where the board reads a sign saying the black tusk maintained trail ends here.
Hiking from The Black Tusk Junction to Black Tusk Scree – II
From the yellow board, it seems very straightforward to climb up the scree. However, hydration (electrolytes) becomes extremely important. Make sure not to push too hard on the scree. The strategy that has always worked for me is, take a few steps with a small break and repeat up to a destination point and from there on keep taking very small breaks until you are at a waypoint.
I have learnt hard lessons of keep pushing and causing myself calf/achilles injuries on the mountains. So, hiking from the yellow board to the black tusk view point is simple scree, not too hard but hard enough to force a break at the view point. This is where we dropped our packs and put he helmets on for summit push.
False Summit through Chute:
To reach the Exact Chute that you can climb to the top, follow along the base of the Tusk, The shale is very loose, carefully walk on the hill to the first sharp right. The right side turn takes you to the towers and around the Chimney, this is not the way to the false summit. Just stop at the corner and look right to find the Chute that goes up. This is the Chute that goes to the Summit.
Through the Chute, stay to the right, clear the Chute, go over to the right at the top and follow the markers (If you find any). From there on, it is very straight forward to the False Summit. Once you reach the Summit, you will see another Summit which can only be climbed by Rappelling down the False Summit, going around the pillar and climbing on the tower.
Obviously, you would need an anchor at the False Summit to rappel down. However, this is not recommended for inexperienced and lone climbers.
Descending down The Black Tusk: This is the trick. Unfortunately, climbers have been victims of this over the past. In July 2023, a climber had a fatal incident either descending the Chimney or Climbing the True Summit on the other side of False Summit which requires rappelling. One can easily lose route on descent since the Chutes from the top down look the same leading nowhere except straight on the Glacier approximately 100m below the Chimney.
Should you hike the Black Tusk?
I am a relatively experienced hiker. I’ve hiked countless mountain trails all around the world, taken 10 day treks in the Alaskan backcountry, and also experienced hiking in bear country. In saying that, I still found this backpacking trip to Panorama Ridge to be quite challenging. My feet were pretty sore once we got down to the car and I was also very stiff the next day. In addition, we did come across multiple people who didn’t look prepared to be out there and were struggling to keep going by about the halfway point.
The questions below should help you think about whether or not you are fit enough and prepared to hike Panorama Ridge. I am not trying to scare you off, I simply want you to know what you’re getting into. This hike isn’t one you “start out” with, it’s one you progress to after hiking other trails and also getting some experience in the backcountry.
- Have you hiked a 15+ mile / 20+ km trail before?
- Have you ever gone up and down that amount of elevation in one day?
- Do you have any injuries or areas prone to soreness after extended periods of hiking?
- Do you have the required gear to ensure you will be safe?
- Do you have a buddy to hike it with? (with equal or more experience than you)
- Have you read up on hiking in bear country or experienced it before?
Packing Suggestions
Here are some packing suggestions for those wanting to take a similar trip in Garibaldi Provincial Park, including links to specific gear I personally use and love.
- Backpack: Osprey Packs Kyte 46L Backpack
- Watch for GPX: Garmin Solar Instinct Tactical
- Reusable water bottle: Wide Mouth Nalgene Bottle
- Hiking boots: Not required but I use Salewa for mountaineering, Hoka for hiking.
- Hiking socks: Icebreaker Hike Lite Crew Sock
- Lightweight top: Icebreaker Tech Lite Short-Sleeve Crew Shirt (men’s)
- Hiking pants: Arc’teryx Lefroy Pant (men’s)
- Warm jacket: Canada Goose (men’s)
- Rain Jacket: Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket (men’s)
- Head lamp: Petzl Actik Headlamp
- Helmet : Black Diamond
- Sunglasses: Smith Caper Chromapop Polarized Sunglasses, Sunski Foothills Polarized Sunglasses
- First aid kit: Adventure Medical Adventure First Aid Series Medical Kit
- Water filter: SteriPEN Steripen Classic 3 Handheld Water Purifier, Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets
- Bear spray: Counter Assault Bear Deterrent Spray with Belt Holster
- Trekking poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Trekking Poles
Hiking in Bear Country
I have hiked countless times through Garibaldi Provincial Park and have encountered Bears. Generally, Bears are more active at the Diamond Head side. By just keeping good distance, being aware where the Bear is, backing off slowly without turning my back towards the Bear, have Bear Spray in ready position have kept me out of trouble.
Food In Garbage Out
Any food we ate, we collected all compost, garbage, plastic wrapping and brought it back to our Car. Never drop any food on the trail. Although, I observed very famous coffee shop cups left on the trail, it is a big no.
