Sea to Sky Highway - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 43

Today the lake reaches depths of 800 feet and spans more than a mile at the lava flow,
aptlynamedTheBarrier.The51/2-mileGaribaldiLakeTraildivergestoTaylorMeadows,
lush with wildflowers in early summer, and offers access to rugged Black Tusk peak, an-
other park highlight.
Five roads enter the park from Hwy. 99 and offer access to backcountry campsites and
more than 55 miles of trail. To reach the Garibaldi Lake trailhead, turn onto Mamquam
Road toward Quest University, about 4 miles north of Squamish.
10. Tantalus Viewpoint
Continuing on Hwy. 99 and a few miles north of Brohm Lake, signs point the way to Tan-
talusViewpoint,apavedturnoffthattakestravellers toalookoutabovethehighwayshow-
casing the snowcapped peaks of the Tantalus mountain range. The region's dense forests,
verdantalpinegrasslands,andnativewildflowers,suchasIndianpaintbrush,arnica,lupine,
and snow lily are fed by an average annual precipitation of 95 inches. Southbound drivers
on the highway are also treated to a lookout.
11. Brandywine Falls
As the drive continues north, turn east about 29 miles north of Squamish to view roaring
230-foot Brandywine Falls. A short walk to two viewing platforms takes visitors along a
covered footbridge and through the woods of this temperate rain forest, guiding visitors
past small ponds, basalt columns, and lava flows, all lending a magical air to this moun-
tainside park. The second platform overlooks Daisy Lake and the surrounding mountains,
including Black Tusk. Visitors in winter should take caution, as the trail is not maintained
year-round.
12. Whistler
Best known as a winter sports destination and location of the 2010 Winter Olympics,
Whistler aims to please visitors with activities and events throughout the year, indoors and
out.ThestarsofthispopularvacationspotarethemajesticWhistlerandBlackcombmoun-
tains, rising nearly 7,500 feet above sea level. For a bird's-eye perspective, turn onto Vil-
lage Gate Boulevard and park at one of four lots on Blackcomb Way. The Whistler Village
Stroll takes pedestrians to the base of the mountains, where gondolas whisk snow lovers
and hikers upward. At the top the Peak 2 Peak gondola carries visitors across an expanse
of 1.88 miles, connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains almost year-round. Try to
maneuver into a clear-bottomed carriage for a surreal ride on top of the clouds.