Black Tusk
- Corey Green
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Black Tusk
Distance: 31km, +1754m. 19.5 miles, 5,757 feet.
Date: October 6th 2025
8 hours round trip with breaks.
If you've ever been to Whistler then you likely recognize the iconic Black Tusk.
A true symbol of the Sea to Sky.
The first nation name for the Black Tusk is T'ákt'akmúten tl'a Ín7inyáx̱a7en, which means Landing Place of the Thunderbird.
The hike in and the Black Tusk itself, an extinct stratovolcano, is teeming with cool geology.
The Black Tusk has several very interesting geological features. And from it’s summit one can see Garibaldi Volcano as well as Garibaldi Lake. A lake being held up by a naturally formed dam known as “The Barrier”. The barrier is precariously holding up the massive Garibaldi Lake. If the dam bursts Squamish would flood.
Lila and I had hiked to Panorama Ridge last year, so the majority of this trail was very familiar to us. Entering from the main trailhead at Rubble Creek the trail to Taylor Meadows is in remarkable shape. I learned from BC Parks that it was built using an excavator. I have never seen a better built trail in the mountains that is so easy to run down. While I'm not sure I agree with using an excavator to build a trail, when running down I was very happy.
From Taylor Meadows there is a fork in the trail. Turn left to go up the Black Tusk and continuing straight leads to Panorama Ridge.
Once gaining the ridge to the Black Tusk we dawned climbing helmets.
Any extinct volcano equals chossy and crumbly rock. Not ideal for climbing.
Arriving at “the chimney” the scramble section to reach the summit I felt a bit intimidated. The chimney looked a lot steeper than I had anticipated. Once I started scrambling it felt easier and there were a lot of hand holds.
There was fresh snow at the summit which was fine going up, but coming down it was important to take your time and be cautious with each step.
We had the summit to ourselves. Or rather the false summit. The true summit is right in front of you, but typically requires a rope and actual rock climbing. Most parties only reach the false summit, just like us.
The early October fall colors in Taylor Meadow were beautiful as we quickly made our way back down into the forest.
A day use permit is required on BC Parks website. If you are un-familiar with the area, the main starting point for Garibaldi Lake, Panorama Ridge, and the Black Tusk are from Rubble Creek trailhead.
I would like to enter via Helm Creek one day, but it adds a couple kilometres.
This year there was a lot of cougar activity in this area. Cougars were reportedly stalking hikers on the Rubble Creek trail and later in the summer chirping outside peoples tents at the Helm Creek Campground. Taylor Meadows Campground was closed for a month this fall due to bear activity. Remember to carry bear spray and be bear aware.
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