First trip report. For large images just see the bottom of the post. I sort of wish I had taken the DSLR camera for some better pictures. It was hard for me to just take a point and shoot and not worry about framing every shot. I just wanted to have fun with my son so the amateur photographer in me stayed home.

I've not done any backpacking since my late teens, it's been a long time... my son is now at the age and maturity level that I felt we could get out together so he can see what is beyond the city.

Sure we've car camped, explored some shorter trails, but nothing spectacular. By backpacking you're "forced" to appreciate what you've done.

He's grown up seeing "walls" of trees that seem to act like an artificial barrier keeping us from entering. I tell him "Just because you can't drive through it does not mean it's not worth seeing." I promised myself I'd get him out there.

This trip had to be done just right, it needed to be on his terms, at his pace. He had to enjoy this trip or he'd never want to do it again. For example he wanted to fish, I bought him a small rod to carry. He wanted to clip my old knife to his pack, I let him.

I also had to appease the family... bear spray, whistles, etc. They also had a calming effect on my son, especially the bear spray.

We got up at 4:30am, headed out to the parking lot at Rubble Creek and arrive around 7am. We donned our packs and set foot to Garibaldi Lake, a 9km hike up a multitude of switchbacks which many of you have done.


First picture of our journey


Switchback grade.

By 10:30am we made it to The Barrier view point. He was excited. I stressed the importance of dry feet, we removed our footwear to air out and dry.

As we sat down to eat lunch an older gentleman was letting birds eat out of his hand. I know we're not supposed to feed the wildlife but I had to let my son give it a go. I'm a sucker.


My son feeding a bird.

After lunch we set back towards Garibaldi lake. The entire trip from the parking lot to the lake felt slow but I think we made good time overall. We arrived just before 1pm for a total of 6 hours to reach Garibaldi Lake including a well deserved lunch break and some switchback breaks.


On the small bridge that leads to the Garibaldi Lake camp ground.

The first view of the lake is amazing with the snow coverage in the background. Unreal. His jaw dropped.


Us at Garibaldi Lake.

We found a camp site, #7 if you're interested. It was a nice site as it allowed us to set up our hammocks (this was a concern for us) and overlooked a portion of the lake where it feeds to lesser Garibaldi lake.

We went and looked around the lake a bit, did some fishing, then headed back for dinner. No fish caught.


Our camp site.
My hammock on the right.
My 20ish year old MEC backpack on the right.


A treat he did not know was coming.
This was a huge success

He settled down early for bed around 7PM to read "War of the Worlds". He fell asleep soon after until morning.


In his hammock

Next morning, Canada Day, we left sometime around 8am for Panorama Ridge. We arrived in the meadows around 45 minutes later. If felt great not carrying a big pack.



One of our Meadow selfies.

The meadow was amazing, one of my favorite parts of the trip for sure. Flowers all over, butterflies and months fluttering around. It felt unreal. He kept wishing everyone we knew could have been there to see it, how he thought it looked like something out of "Alice in Wonderland", "The Wizard of Oz", or "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".


Stream


Black Tusk from the Meadows

At 10:30am we had reached and started to climb to Panorama Ridge, we were still near the base so had a ways to go. We stopped for a picture at 11:20am.


Resting


Black Tusk around the same time.


By 12pm we were almost there, just had to cross some more melting snow.


Crossing the Snow.


And a picture to show some of the incline we climbed.


One of my favorite pics.

By 12:18pm we made it, he was a little "Terrified" but pushed on up with a massive smile at the end.


Peaked

Video of us at the peak. Bad camera work.


180° Panorama of Panorama Ridge

To get down we slid on the snow which made quick work of the descent.

On our way down we rode the snow.

We went back to Garibaldi Lake and ate, then went fishing.


We caught 11 over a four hour period. We released them all though he really wanted to eat one. Three of them were quite big.


He wanted to eat it.

Back up to camp, ate again. Slept great and left bright and early. The walk back to the vehicle was easier than the way up, but harder on the feet. Next trip we will have some new hiking shoes broken in I think.

The low at night was a warm 9°, the high I recorded was 28°.

That was about it. Next time maybe I'll just record more of it and post a video to YouTube. It's easier than typing. haha.

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Sounds like a great introduction to the world of the backcountry. I introduced my kids to backpacking two years ago (when they were 5 and 6) with a short 4km overnight into Pointe campground at Upper Kananaskis. They loved it and led to our first "expedition" last year to Three Isle Lake (10km and 425m elevation), there were some tears during the climb up the headwall, but once up there it was (as my daughter put it) "the best day of her life". Having fun with them stepping between the provincial border "I'm in Alberta, now I'm in BC". Now they want to go out all the time and we'll be doing Yoho Iceline in a few weeks.

Just awesome.

Nice first report! I'm of the same mind re: keeping kids happy, keeping them hiking for life..
This one is on my 'to do' list..

I've found the best way to keep my feet dry is to swap the socks out with a new pair when I feel them getting shweaty, and hanging them on my pack with a safety pin (if conditions are right - dry, some wind, low humidity).

So no problems with parking at the Rubble Creek parking lot?

Fantastic!

I think it went very well, my son also told me it was the "best day of my life". haha.

Thanks Dougz, keeping him happy was the main goal, so important. One thing I wish I'd remembered to bring was some cards or a game. I always do but forgot this time. We ended up making a Tic-Tac-Toe board on the ground and using small rocks and large rocks for the X's and O's.

We should have taken an extra pair for the trip up to Panorama Ridge for sure. Lucky for us it was hot out and they dried pretty fast on the hot rocks.

No problems at all. Arrived super early so it was mostly empty. And thankfully no break in. I removed anything of value out of the vehicle though.

Agreed!

Thanks.

One more kid convinced that hiking and camping is fun! Hopefully a lifetime convert.

Excellent job.

How were the bugs?

Uhg. I still have about 10 bites. My son got none. Worse at the camp site and anywhere near water. Meadow and panorama were fine for me.

That is one beautiful successful quality time as father and son; what an awesome thing.

This is one memory I am sure your son will treasure for a very long time to come, perhaps all his life, you are going to be the greatest awesome Dad in his books.


K

Good on you! I love reports of trips with kids.

Man, what an encouraging report. Mega thanks for posting.

When i was a 12 yr old boy, growing up in east Van, it was a local church boys group took my friends and I on our first ever hike/camp to Golden Ears. Everything in my life changed from that point on, even affecting my choice of degrees at university and subsequent career paths. That trip, and the next bunch infused me with a passion for our mountains and forests that has never left. My wife says those are the only things I love more than her, she's probably right. ;-). So glad someone did that for me as a kid, so glad you did that for your son.

Good on ya!!

Loved this report. Thanks!
Just curious how old your son is. Mine is 7 and I want to start getting him out on hikes with me.
Was thinking maybe Mt. St. Benedict would be a great start for him.

Excellent report. Like the popcorn shot.