Helm Creek/Panaroma Ridge

Helm Creek to Panorama Ridge – The Basics

Distance: 30 km round trip (approximately)

Elevation Gain: Around 1,500 m total

Highest Point: 2,130 m

Time: 9–11 hours (We took about 5.5 hours up, enjoyed a long break at the top, and 4 hours back down.)

What to Bring: Solid hiking boots, poles for the steeper sections, layers for changing weather, plenty of water (or a filter), and lots of food — it’s a big day out.

Facilities: Toilets are available at the Helm Creek campground. There’s also a parking area with a loo at the Cheakamus Lake trailhead.

Dogs: Allowed on leash — one of the few trails in Garibaldi Park where dogs are permitted.

How Hard Is It?It’s definitely a challenging day, but totally worth it. The trail up to Helm Creek is gradual and scenic, opening into wide alpine meadows with amazing views of Black Tusk. From there, the climb up Panorama Ridge is steep and rocky — a solid workout — but the view at the top is one of the best in BC. Expect tired legs and a huge smile by the end!

The final leg of this Canadian trip finished with a bucket list hike to the Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park. We did the hike as an out and back from Helm Creek hike: a total 15km grind, with an elevation gain of 1525m / 4990ft. It is so worth it. 

The day prior the 10 of us set out in 30 deg heat from the carpark in Cheakamus and hiked 8km up and up and up (again) to Helm creek campground under a welcome shaded canopy filled with birdsong, native wildflowers and fast flowing waterfalls. It is, however, very steep. Several switchbacks in the beginning made me question if I were enjoying what I was doing. After the switchbacks finish, it really started to mellow out becoming really enjoyable - but it’s still an uphill track with a few gnarly tree roots and rocks to navigate.

Camping overnight was beautiful- listening to the sound of Helm creek babble by, albeit in the company of a few too many pesky mozzies and march flies. We def needed the bug spray! Looking over at Black Tusk from our campsite was wild. 

Hiking out in the early morning to Panorama ridge, we passed a few lakes and many great spots for mini breaks. I was delighted to stumble upon a Marmot snacking on some grass. 

We crossed a large flat section of black fine shale, which felt other worldly.  Unfortunately I did a face plant when my boot hooks caught somehow abruptly slamming my feet together, making me fall and slide along the shale and glide along on my chin! I’ve a nice ‘war-wound’ graze now. From there the climb from Black Tusk junction is also stunning. It’s largely on shale and boulders and each foot placement needs to be carefully considered. 

This was yet another hike that brought me to tears at the top, purely because the views from Panorama Ridge are completely out of this world! My breath was literally taken away by how crazy beautiful it is. From the intense teal blue of Garibaldi Lake to the snow capped mountains behind and of course, the imposing Black Tusk watching over all of us.

With Anna Parkin Duncan Ford Wendy Gorrie Katrina Gorrie Sandy Myerscough Michael Mercuri Fiona, El, Sue, Luke #BC #hiking #panoramaridge