Hiking the Stawamus Chief in Squamish, BC
Hike This Popular Destination Between Vancouver and Whistler, BC
Jun 2, 2009
The Stawamus Chief, or “The Chief” as it is commonly referred to by locals, is the unmistakable stone mountain on the drive from Vancouver to Whistler in British Columbia, Canada.
Situated just outside the city of Squamish, it is one of the biggest free-standing granite monoliths on the planet. As a result, the Chief has been attracting rock climbers from all corners of the globe for decades.
Aside from the world-class rock climbing, the Stawamus Chief is also great for hiking. The main Chief trail is one of the more popular trails for spring and summer hiking in the Vancouver coastal mountain range. The mountain itself has three separate peaks, with the Third Peak, or North Summit, being the true apex at 702 metres (2,303 feet). All three peaks can all be reached via the same trail system.
The Stawamus Chief Trail
Hikers have two trailhead options: the campground of Stawamus Chief Provincial Park or the adjacent Shannon Falls Provincial Park. Both options are about one hour from Vancouver, just off the newly rebuilt Sea To Sky Highway (Highway 99). If you choose to start at Shannon Falls, follow the Olesen Creek Trail until you cross Olsen Creek where it intersects the main Chief trail.
Those starting from the campground trailhead are greeted with an immediate and steep ascent up wooden staircases alongside Olesen Creek. The clearly marked trail continues on up through coastal forest for most of its duration. Eventually, the trail sheds the trees, surrendering to the granite summit rock and the breathtaking views of Howe Sound and the Squamish Valley.
- There are a couple of ladders and chains towards the top of each peak. The ladders are short and the exposure is minimal but it is wise to take care when using them – especially if it is raining or wet.
Three Peaks to Hike
Hikers have the option of choosing which peak (or peaks) they want to climb. All three peaks can be climbed in a single day with the First Peak being the most popular destination. The hike to the First Peak is 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) in length with 500 metres (1640 feet) of elevation gain.
Hike times depend entirely on the fitness level of the hiker. On average, a round trip to the First Peak takes about 6 hours from the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park campground trailhead. This allows 2–3 hours to summit, an hour or so on the top to take in the views and have some lunch, and then around two hours for the hike down. Be sure to allow for some extra time if you plan to start or end at the Shannon Falls trailhead.
- If you suffer from knee problems, consider bringing knee braces or trekking poles to help absorb some of the impact of hiking down the Chief trail.
Grouse Grind Alternate
The Chief is quite similar to another favourite Vancouver trail – the Grouse Grind. Both trails climb aggressively uphill for most of their durations. They each reward their hikers with stunning coastal vistas. And their close proximity to the city of Vancouver make them both very popular hiking destinations.
And each trail has its unique benefits. For example, the Chief trail offers a more diverse display of nature, leading the hiker to be less concerned about how long it will take to get the top and more focused on enjoying the surroundings. Alternatively, the Grouse Grind has the knee-saving option of a gondola ride down.
Regardless of these differences, any hiker looking for a Vancouver area experience similar to the Grouse Grind should look no further than the Stawamus Chief.
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