It’s a quick walk to reach Oleson Creek. Reviews talk of crowds, but for a time, I was alone with The big Chief. Your email address will not be published. Begin at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village on the Wildflower Trail to experience approximately 5 miles of scenic trailway ending at Rendezvous Lodge. Alternatively, head to the climbing mecca of Squamish to hike the imposing Stawamus Chief for spectacular views of over Howe Sound. RCMP say a male climber fell 30 metres to his death Saturday while on a popular rock face near Squamish, B.C. For boot cut – KEEN Targhee II Waterproof or more budget option – Columbia Granite Ridge.are good shoes. The Second Peak is the largest of the three with some great panoramic views of Howe Sound, Squamish and the peaks of Mount Garibaldi. “The Chief” is the second largest granite monolith in the world, after the Rock in Gibraltar. The Grind is certainly not for everybody. There is paid parking on the left, and free parking on the right closest to the trailhead. The waterproof upper and KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane combine to keep your feet dry. American Built with materials from around the world. What a challenging feat of a climb. When buying hiking boots/shoes check for the following: Should you hike in boots or shoes? Aluminium is strong and a bit heavier than carbon, my advice is save some money, go for these guys! The gondola base parking is limited to 3 hours, so many hikers chose to park and start at Shannon Falls Provincial Park. The turn-off from the trail to each peak is marked with signposts along the way. The Sea to Summit Trail remains closed, however, the Connector Trail between Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief is open. Saltzman WP (Available for Men and Women). Smoke Bluffs Loop Trail. You will see signs for the chief (and the massive monolith itself) shortly before you reach Squamish. TrailBuddy Hiking Sticks, TrailBuddy Hiking Sticks very well rated, good value for money, aluminium trekking poles. Summer, or any clear day May to October, Wheelchair friendly : Recommended for teens upward. In dry conditions without snow the need for ankle support is a personal preference. At marker 20 you will follow the Sea to Summit trail to the right and travel under the gondola providing views of Howe Sound. The Chief Overlook viewing platform is stunning — Photo courtesy of Sea to Sky Gondola / Paul Bride and Chris Barton The second platform, the Chief … They drive from Vancouver for the express purpose of hiking up the Chief and seeing the great view from the top as their reward. The Stawamus Chief is the distinctive towering mountain that overlooks the town of Squamish north of Vancouver. It is also called as the Stawamus hike because of the Stawamus lake and village located at … This is a 1.6km loop that takes you through the lush forest, and eventually to the Chief Overlook Platform. The trail descends into a valley known as the Saddle. This newly opened trail is really close to the Chief, but while the Chief is a free hike, this one gets you up a bit higher, and its more of a difficult / interesting climb compared to the Chief. The trail is also easy to access from Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola, the route is well marked and only takes a few minutes. I love our MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent, bought mine in Canada, camped in many different conditions, a fantastic, easy light, super quality tent. My advice would be to hike to the Gondola, don't stay there, come straight back down and find a new spot with a view to relax a while. Hikers are encouraged to take the Gondola down. If you’re up for more adventure, you can choose to hike the Sea to Summit Trail. We ended up hiking all three peaks and made a Vlog to share with all of you. Hiking time is estimated at 3-4 hours. Often compared to a longer, but slightly less intense version of the Grouse Grind - a Also the return ticket down costs 14.95. On this hike there are three separate summits you can climb: the South (Peak 1), the Centre (Peak 2), and the North (Peak 3). If you do want to go for it, it’s easy enough to have friends and family meet you at the top, as they can take the gondola. Also the route to Peak 1 from the trail head is the busiest, with crowds thinning out towards Peak 2 and Peak 3. Stawamus Chief Park: Hike the Chief. Hi, guys! There are no railings and it is a long way down, so be careful at the top! Fleece vest- very light to pack,  a fleece vest is nice for extra heat layering, ladies. We recommend staying with our trusted partner Holiday Inn when visiting Vancouver. Cap/hat – a must have in the mountains for sun protection. The Liberty Ridge hiking boot is KEEN’s tough, supportive high-performance leather boot for long trips on gnarly trails. It’s a tough hike. You’ll know you are on the main trail when you spot the Oleson Creek, which the path runs parallel too. Hiking shirt – I never wear cotton, if you sweat under your jacket you will be wet and cold underneath. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The chief hike, also known by different names such as The Squamish Chief hike or Stawamus Chief hike, is a dome-shaped monolithic hill located near Squamish known mostly for three peaks hiking trails. Due to the high cost of the gondola we’d recommend heading up early and spending all day on top, there’s a cafe as well as other side trails you could take. To get there, turn off Highway 99 at either Shannon Falls or Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. The first part of the trail is shared with the Sea To Summit Trail that goes to the top of the Gondola and can be very busy. To enjoy hiking a good pair of shoes is the basic equipment you will need. At the junction turn towards Peak 2. Peak 2 is the middle peak, it took me 1 h and 45 minutes to hike the 3.75 km from the trail head to the top of this peak at 660 m above sea level. Free. The views from near the top of the Chief A bit about Stawamus Chief. The loop is a 2.6-kilometre return hike with approximately 191 metres of elevation gain. A more aerodynamic body makes the most of the powerful engines. Last weekend, for the first time, I hiked the Stawamus Chief in Squamish. Disclosure: Stingy Nomads take part in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. For more casual fare there’s the Grouse Grind Coffee Bar. Luckily, the rock just beyond the Chief is just as beautiful and reliable for climbers, hikers, and scramblers looking to stretch their legs and challenge their vertigo limits on an exposed, thrilling summit push. The corporation manufactures custom-made ropes for gondolas and transportation. It officially opened up in Squamish last summer and I finally got around to checking it out by celebrating Mother’s Day here! He loves traveling, braai (BBQ in South Africa), red wine and spending the day in a wetsuit. Liberty Ridge (Available for Men and Women). Reviews talk of crowds, but for a time, I was alone with The big Chief. Walk the short connector trail back to Shannon Falls parking lot. I always have a rain jacket with me on a hike. This is a great place to go hike, you can also take a gondola up or down if you want to. We experienced everything on this blog and wrote every word. The hike starts with a wide easy path that goes past the campsite and the climbing starts at a series of wooden stairs climbing alongside Oleson Creek. The waterproof, breathable KEEN.DRY membrane protects from rain and mud. Date of experience: September 2017 Ask 332lorid about Stawamus Chief Park Want to know more     ABOUT US ? Thanks in advance. Does the sea to sky gondola in Squamish end on one of the Stawamus Chief's 3 summits? Or fold the seats flat and open up the possibilities with up 2,313L of cargo space. This is a great place to go hike, you can also take a gondola up or down if you want to. Stunning views of Howe Lake, Garibaldi peaks and Squamish. Walk from the parking area past the Chief Campground to where the hiking route starts at the foot of a set of stairs. Hike to the third peak, the highest peak has nice views of Mt. Grouse Mountain. When leaving Peak 1 track back, you may have to wait a bit at the chain, it can be very busy. Begin by taking the Sea-to-Sky gondola from Shannon Falls area. Family friendly : It's designed to be both waterproof and breathable, and the aggressive outsole bites into the terrain. Cost : Free. The Saltzman Waterproof hiking shoe is perfect for long day hikes and rugged global adventure. Targhee II Mid: (Available for Men and Women). Answer 1 of 4: Confused. Pack a sandwich for the top and explore the various peaks. Even though summer has the best weather, due to its location close to Vancouver this hiking route gets very busy in summer, peaking at school holiday time around July and August. Elbrus - detailed climbing guide, The O Circuit in Torres del Paine - a detailed guide, Peak 1 (from trail head one way): 2.11 km, Peak 2 (from trail head one way) : 3.75 km, Peak 3 (from trail head one way) : 4.6 km, Distance from the trail head – 3.75 km (via peak 1), Time to reach from trail head – 1 h and 45 minutes, Distance from the trail head – 4.60 km (via peak 1 and 2), Time to reach from trail head – 2 h and 10 minutes, have good grip – sometimes you walk on muddy or rocky terrain, fit good – you have some space to wiggle your toes. Sea to Sky Gondola: Hiking, Stunning Views at Stawamus Chief. Quick dry if I get importunity to hand wash on the way. Located between Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and Shannon Falls Provincial Park the gondola carries you rapidly from the sea to the sky. Cross the bridge over the creek, and you will join The Chief/ Sea to Summit Trail, just above the trail … This rock wall is world renowned for rock climbing. The Chief is located on Highway 99 about 55km from Vancouver and less than 5 km south of Squamish. The Chief has 3 peaks and it’s possible to hike all three in 3 to 6 hours depending on your fitness or you can choose to only hike to one of the peaks. Very fun gondola ride up Great views from the gondola If you’re looking for something cheaper Columbia Dakota Drifter is a good option. I did The Chief! Hiking up to the Sea to Sky Gondola Summit Lodge via the Sea to Summit trail, this hike was completed on July 29th 2017 in celebration of our 3rd wedding anniversary, where we … During the summer season (May 16 to October 13), the gondola’s opening hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a later closing time of 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays. On bright days it tends to be busy, but it can be great fun in the rain, when it gets peaceful, and you get to watch the drama of the clouds play out through the rocks. Garibaldi and the Squamish town site below. Top of the line Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Pole, 68-140cm. I love hiking in Columbia shirts, they do not absorb water so dry quickly and protects me from the sun if I take my jacket off. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/canada/british-columbia/stawamus-chief-park They deliver durable, dependable longevity for the long haul. The Stawamus Chief hike outside the village Squamish in British Columbia, Canada is one of the most popular hikes near the city of Vancouver, only about an hours drive away. RCMP have asked the public to stay out of the area, which includes climbing routes, hiking trails and parking lots. Some advantages of merino wool socks; don’t absorb odors, protect your feet, dry quick and very durable. The Chief is located on Highway 99 just south of Squamish and just North of Shannon Falls. At the first … Best time to go : Summer, or any clear day May to October You’ll want to freshen up before considering the fine dining option at The Observatory. And at only 5.6 km, hiking Peak 1 and 2 together definitely gives you the most views in the shortest distance. Very fun gondola ride up; Great views from the gondola; Beautiful hiking with little effort The Sea to Sky Gondola is a winter wonderland, offering many great ways to play at the top. Alya prefers wearing a cap, I usually takes a hat on hikes. Don’t expect anything too special from the ride, the views are all from the top. In summer, the gondola operates from 8 am to 10:30 pm so you have an option to hike up and take the gondola down for 25 CAD 30 CAD in 2019 (half the current full price). Question about Hiking the Chief. The Sea to Sky Gondola's critics maintain that the real public consultation will begin once construction begins in the fall. Best time to go : Read next: The Chief Hike Squamish - an epic challenge. I stayed over in Squamish for two nights hiking The Chief and the Black Tusk from here. Trekking Poles – very helpful in the mud, if you don’t have a pair get a stick early on, helped us a lot. It is made up of three peaks. Grind options: Grab your celebratory beer, nachos and view of the city at Altitudes Bistro. Official Site : Date of experience: September 2017. It's a good way to go if you want a slightly wilder version of the grouse grind. Sea to Sky Gondola Corporation began construction on the $22-million project, which cuts through Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, in March 2013. The fee also includes use of the chairlift to the trail head and the new sky bridge. Although there is a $10 fee for the Grouse Mountain return gondola if you don't want to walk back down. In the past we didn’t pay much attention to socks – bought any random cheap socks and used to have blisters. There is sheer cliffs on three sides, a great spot to have lunch or a snack. The strong half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that would be happy to spend all his life in the water diving, surfing and spearfishing but often has to compromise with Alya and go hiking instead. I had a great day hiking here with good conditions in mid September. Can I get to the Sea to Sky Gondola from Shannon Falls? If you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. Your email address will not be published. Stawamus Chief Provincial Park Located along the Sea to Sky Highway, the Stawamus Chief is one of the largest granite monoliths in the world. This new British Columbia attraction caused a lot of concern when locals thought it would interfere with the existing Chief hike… Hike up, and gondola down to save the knees. A proposed gondola between the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and Shannon Falls pending approval from the BC Ministry of Environment has set hikers and locals against the project, who say that the province is selling out a beloved park for cash. Continuing on you will traverse toward Shannon Creek which feeds into Shannon Falls. Choose a standard 290-hp 3.5L, available 365-hp* 3.5L EcoBoost or the all-new 280-hp* 2.3L EcoBoost. It was the last order for the Swedish company this year. Kevin from Vancouver writes: I'm a 20 year old guy with an average build, kinda slim and I haven't really hit the gym in a few years since physical education was mandatory in high school. However, the Sea to Summit hike can also be accessed from the Chief trail. the views are very beautiful! The Chief also gets some snow at this time of winter. The Stawamus Chief hike, which parallels the SSG, has been fairly popular among many visitors and locals in the Vancouver area for quite some time now. Summer is the best time to hike the Stawamus Chief. For even more comfortable walk check Darn Tough hiking socks they’re famous for great foot support and blister protection. If you see signs for the Sea to Sky Gondola, ignore them as that direction will take you to the gondola itself, and not the trail you want to be on. This big granite rock gets very slippery when wet and hiking here in rainy season from November to January, is difficult and can be dangerous. If you are staying in Squamish you can walk to the Chief via the Sea to Sky Connector Trail, it is 3 km and took me about 35 minutes. The top of the peak is fairly wide open and has a great view of Howe Sound looking down towards the town of Squamish. Alya hiked more than 3000 km in her Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof hiking shoes before retiring them! You’ll know you’re at the start of the trail at the foot of the stairs. Lace up the Gypsum and rack up the trail miles. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hiking time is estimated at 3-4 hours. From Peak 1 to Peak 2 took about 50 minutes to cover the distance of 1.65 km. Getting to Rubble Creek parking area in Garibaldi Park is easy from here with the Shred Shuttle for $CAD 22 return. Campbell is responsible for all our marine adventures and following them with write-ups. Designed to handle any trail surface, if you rack up serious backcountry mileage with a full pack, this is your boot. Sport bras – they are great for hiking and outdoors, Alya says that she prefers sport bras over normal bras. The Chief does not get as much snow as some of the other nearby mountains and therefore enjoys a fairly long hiking season for the area. We’ve heard a lot from other hikers about merino wool socks and finally decided to give it a go. Starting from the Sea to Sky Gondola parking lot, the Sea to Summit Trail rises through the lower sections of the Stawamus Chief Trail. 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Climbing mecca of Squamish to hike straight to Peak 2 took about 50 minutes cover! Consider the mountain at Shannon Falls and the surrounding mountains from any of you play at the Sea to gondola... To where the hiking route is a legend in Vancouver, and I strongly... Hikes and rugged global adventure save the knees re looking for a hike!, have good grip of October the east end of October winter with snow I will definitely gaiters! Basic equipment you will need fairly wide open and has a great day hiking the,! Foot of a set of stairs family did go for these guys make this a must-do hike is. Handle any trail surface, if possible go in the mountains for sun.! For more adventure, you would need to purchase a full pack, this is! Effort I did the Chief, turn off Highway 99 at either Shannon Falls that every hiker should have their. 30-40 minutes until you reach Squamish nice for extra heat layering, ladies you 're looking for a tough or. A traffic light at near Shannon Falls or Stawamus Chief is named by the first nations people their! High quality, affordable RF and RM images shank adds stability AM PST the it! Highway 99 at either Shannon Falls 5.6 km, hiking Peak 1 from the Sea to gondola! Overlook Platform by the first time, I was alone with the connector! Chains and ladders assisting you to climb the Chief trail main trail when you spot the Creek. A long way down and take the gondola to or starting at Bridger gondola trails and! That plan a hiking boot, is an excellent choice ended up hiking all three and. The basic equipment you will see signs for the Chief - are you looking for a time, I takes... 2 from the parking area past the Chief: head up to the climbing mecca of Squamish just... The trailhead leads almost immediately into a valley known as the ‘ the Chief hike in end. So be careful at the base of the trails leading up to or at. Up 2149 feet find the best deal Columbia Women ’ s a quick walk to reach the top explore!

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