Difficulty: I’m dead and it’s my own fault
Distance: 30 km round-trip, 1500 m elevation gain
I’ve wanted to tackle Panorama Ridge for probably about four years now and never had the opportunity. Even when I was dating a backcountry enthusiast. Well, I started hiking with a couple of coworkers this August and we originally planned to jettison straight up Panorama Ridge. It only dawned on us later that we should probably whip ourselves back into shape first, so we postponed by a month.
By the first week of September, we were hardly ready, but there was no turning back now. I had only just recovered from Wedgemount Lake a week prior. With summer drawing to a close and the days shortening, we were running out of time. So my coworkers picked me up at 5:00 in the morning and we hit the road, stopping for fuel only at Outbound Station in Britannia Beach, the former location of Gallileo Coffee Co. We reached Rubble Creek just as the first rays of early morning sunshine were starting to show at 7:00.
Just like Garibaldi Lake and Black Tusk, you’ll start your day in the forest traversing never-ending switchbacks. At the first junction, the trail splits right toward Garibaldi Lake and left toward Taylor Meadows. Veer left up to the meadows. In September, most of the flowers are gone. But I took this same route up to Black Tusk in August they were in full bloom.
At the end of the track, the trail splits again. Right toward the ridge and left aimed up at Black Tusk. You know which way to go. The trail up to Black Tusk gets incredibly steep. The trail to the ridge is more leisurely but has the disadvantage of being longer. Just when you’re starting to think you must surely be near the end, you’ll reach two small lakes—Mimulus Lake and Black Tusk Lake. This is where you’ll start your final push. See that highest peak behind the lake? That’s the ridge.
Now, I’ve probably already mentioned that I’m not a fan of loose rock, and the final three km of Panorama Ridge is exactly that—a combination of slippery shale slabs and high winds. This is perhaps my main reason for thinking this hike would be more enjoyable over two days with a night spent camped at the lake. My adrenaline skyrockets when I’m trying to make my way down a trail and I’m on shaky legs. That’s also why I’m far more comfortable in the coastal mountains than the Rockies.
Words can’t describe how breathtaking the view is from the ridge, and pictures can’t do it justice. It is one of the most beautiful vistas I’ve ever laid eyes on, and well worth the torture I put myself through for twelve hours. I think Panorama Ridge has a far more impressive view than Black Tusk. If you look back while making your final ascent, you’ll get a pretty impressive view of the Tusk.