Hike of the Week: Stawamus Chief
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Stawamus Chief
The view rocks from this granite monolith
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
Quick Facts
Location: Squamish, British Columbia
Land Agency: British Columbia Provincial Parks
Roundtrip: 4.0 miles
Elevation gain: 1,900 feet
Contact: BC Parks; http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
Notes: Dogs must be on leash; Day Use fee ($3.00 CN).
Access: From Vancouver, BC follow BC 99 north for 40 miles to Shannon Falls Provincial Park. Hike is also accessible from the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park one kilometer north, but this approach is more interesting.
An imposing landmark on the Sea to Sky Highway halfway between Vancouver and Whistler, the Stawamus Chief cries out to be climbed. And it is! Over 50,000 hikers and climbers from around the world take to it three summits annually. The second largest granite monolith in the world, the Chief offers climbers a challenge and hikers a thrill!
While maintained trails wind up to the Chief’s three main summits, the journey is tough. The way is steep and rocky and contains a few stairs, ladders and cables to assist you along. It is not exposed, but it can be dangerous in bad weather. And besides, why would you want to venture to the top of this exposed hunk of rock when it’s cloaked in clouds? The views granted from the Chief are outstanding! Peer out across Howe Sound, the southernmost fjord on the Pacific Coast in North America. Gaze directly below to the town of Squamish on the Squamish River Delta. Stare at the massive glacier covered volcano Mount Garibaldi. Named for the great Italian patriot that unified Italy and helped Uruguay receive its independence, the sight of this majestic peak is also liberating!
From the Shannon Falls Parking lot head a .25 mile to a junction to the connector trail to the Stawamus Chief. Definitely check out the impressive Shannon Falls first before traversing steep rocky slopes to Stawamus Provincial Park and the Chief Peaks Trail. After crossing crashing Olesen Creek on a good bridge begin an unrelenting climb. Come to a junction and bear left. Soon afterwards come to another junction and bear left again. After more huffing and puffing, come to yet another junction. Right heads to the Second and Third Peaks. Left heads to the First Peak. It’s your choice, the third peak is the highest (el. 2,300-feet) but the views are excellent from all three summits. The first peak (el. 2,000-feet) is the closest, so head that way if you want to immediately get to the views. Have fun ascending the open granite peak. Have even more fun soaking in the amazing panoramic view!
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