SnowshoeingFun in the Winter Backcountry
The scenic alpine terrain around Squamish makes for great snowshoeing. The mountains surrounding Squamish get an average of 2,300 mm (90 in) of precipitation annually, which means a generous amount of snow accumulates in the winter months.
As soon as the snow begins to fall at higher elevations around Squamish, snowshoers head for Diamond Head in Garibaldi Provincial Park, also a backcountry skiing hot spot.
Chances are that, beginning in late October and lasting through May, you will find snow covering the 7-mile (11-km), intermediate-level route that runs from the trailhead at the 3,000-foot (900-m) level to the cabin at Elfin Lakes (4,900 feet/1485 m). Allow four hours to make the trek one way. If you're just here for a day trip, the day shelter at Red Heather Meadow, a 2-mile (3-km) climb, may be as far as you wish to go, whereas continuing up the trail to the Elfin Lakes is more appropriate for an overnight excursion.
Diamond Head is also the approach to a vast backcountry region in the southwest corner of the park. Come prepared for sudden changes in weather.
If there's fresh snow, stop at Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. Follow the trail markers intended for summer hikers. This isn't a long trek, about 2 miles (3 km) return. Crossing the bridge over Brandywine Creek is an adventure in itself, especially if the snowpack is so deep that you are at the same height as the top railing. Pause in the shelter of a cedar grove at lakeside to admire the Black Tusk, gone white with snow. From there, retrace your tracks to Brandywine Creek and head along the trail to the falls. Cross the BC Rail tracks and hike a short distance to the observation platform beside Brandywine Falls. In winter, the sound of Brandywine Creek tumbling onto the exposed boulders below is remarkably similar to that of a jet streaking high in the sky above. All this glory, and you may even have the place to yourself.
New for the 2008 season is the development in the Callaghan Valley, the Whistler Olympic Park. This venue is the site of the Nordic and Biathalon events for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games. Located just 50 kilometers (30 minutes) north of Squamish and 18 kilometers south of Whistler (15 minutes), visitors can expect breathtaking views of the Callaghan Valley, Callaghan Lake and Black Tusk.For those wanting to explore more of the area, the connected Callaghan Country trail system offers even more trails. Trail tickets and snowshoe rentals are available at the Day Lodge.
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