Panorama Peak - set 1

August 22, 2025 -- Garabaldi Park - set 1

Stats: 29 km / 1625m gain / 2093m high / 8:20 hours MT

Wow. What a three day adventure we had! We climbed 2600m in two days and another 340 on our "rest" day inbetween. The views are hard to beat in my favorite park in BC.

At the base of the Black Tusk were three tarns, all in various colours, surrounded by four peaks that I have summited. Familiar territory but revisiting it after a long absence made it new to me once again.

We had to fit five paddle boards and five women and all our overnight & hiking gear into and onto my hummer. Little Sue took one look at my rack and said, "We need a ladder". I pointed at my son, Nathan and said, "No we don't". We couldn't leave till 7:30pm, having aquired a day-permit for two vehicles the day before. By the time we got our keys and unloaded and carried those heavy paddles boards to our room and settled into bed, it was midnight. We had to get up 6:00am the next morning.

I wasn't so sure about doing this very long hike with so much elevation gain in one day. But we did it and thuroughly enjoyed it. What outstanding vistas!!!

After ascending gently on broad switchbacks and a well worn hard packed trail through the forest, we arrived at Taylor Meadows.

The Black Tusk is that small tower of rock. I've summited it three times.

Red Indian Paintbrush with a glimpse of Price, Table & Garabaldi Mtns -- southeast.

The Tantalus Mountain range -- southwest.

The asters were past their peak for the season.

Destination in sight, to the left is Panorama Peak.

At the 3-way junction. North went to Helm Lake and campsite -- south.

Looking behind me at the Black Tusk -- northwest.

After a brief break we carried on.

Helm Lake -- north.

Eye candy.

The summit in the middle -- southeast

This was the only steep part on the trail.

The trail took us up and over that knoll and then to the left.

The Tantalus Mt. range -- west.

On this perfect weather day, there were many hikers out and about.

Garabladi Mt + lake with Table & Price Mtns to the right -- south.

Group shot: me, Charlotte H, Iraj F, Janice H, Denise D + Sue A

southeast

south

southwest

west

west

northwest

north

Heading down.

north

Helm Lake

Back at the 3-way junction. Helm Peak is that little point on the center of the horizon.

Cute little birdies, yes. But watch out for them. One swooped down on me from behind and grabbed my power bar right out of my hand!

This grouse was having a conversation with us. It was tilting its head as it made soft crooning sounds.

We took our water filters, knowing there would be a good chance we'd run out of water. I took 3 litres which was enough.

There were numerous boardwalks in Taylor Meadows.

The last hour of the hike, conversation stopped as body parts were aching and causing some pain. We were suffering in silence, watching those signs and thinking, "only a few more km". At the parking lot (5:00pm) that ice cold watermelon was a real treat (thanks Charlotte).