Stawamus Chief Trail — Attraction in Area D (Elaho/Garibaldi)

One of the Lower Mainland's most popular hiking destinations - while I think the popularity is a bit overblown, it does provide a nice mix of being relatively short, plenty challenging for those who want a workout, and scenic, although that's only the case once you've reached one of the peaks. Moreover, the views are fairly similar across the three peaks.

The trail is divided into three "peaks" - the first is the most popular, as you reach it relatively quickly at the ~1.5km point. The trail is STEEP right off the bat, and honestly, the tall wooden staircase you have to get through initially is the hardest part of the whole hike. You're looking at about 600m of elevation just to get to the first peak, so by no means an easy undertaking, but you will get very nice views of the Howe Sound.

The 2nd peak is roughly another 1km on, and this section involves chains nailed into rocks that help up the steeper sections. While there is a really narrow rock pass section that is difficult to navigate, there's nothing in the way of exposure. The view at the 2nd peak is set further back and is slightly higher than the 1st, giving you an enhanced version of the first view with more of the valley visible.

The 3rd peak is the least popular but is definitely worth visiting, particularly for the great views it offers of Mount Garibaldi or Sky Pilot mountain. Furthermore, it's only roughly another 1km from the second peak, so why not?

When returning to the trailhead, you can turn the trail into a loop by taking the back way after coming down from the third peak, which will eventually take you to the first peak/second peak junction. You're also welcome to take this route on the way up, as it does avoid the rock chain areas. That said, this route is much rougher than the primary route.

Overall, a worthwhile trail to do, but don't expect anything too mind-blowing. If you can only go in the middle of the day during a weekend, I wouldn't recommend it due to crowds.

If you are going here, show up early. My buddy and I showed up at 8am on a nice long weekend day and managed to get parking close to the trailhead and saw few people on the way up By the time we were leaving at 1pm, the trail was hectically busy and there was absolutely no parking to be found even in the overflow lots.

According to my fitness tracker, for all 3 peaks, you're looking at about 6-7km and roughly 900m of cumulative elevation gain. With a lengthy break at the 2nd peak and stops at both 1 and 3, my buddy and I took about 4.5 hours to complete the hike, although we took only minimal water breaks the rest of the time. Best to allot 6 hours if doing all...

Stawamus Chief offers spectacular views of Howe Sound and the city of Squamish just a short hour drive from Vancouver. Beware though as this hike is not an easy one but is extremely rewarding!

Difficulty: Moderate, but very challenging for beginners! Hiking shoes are highly recommended Time: Depending on which of the three peaks or all of them, it can be anywhere from 4 to 6 hours there and back. Trail Condition: Well marked, no snow or mud (June 24) Trail is well maintained. Foot Traffic: Heavy! Long wait time for the chain at the very top. Around 12-3 is probably the peak times so do your best to avoid going then if busy trails are not your thing!

About the hike: Stairs. And lots of them! It does taper off slightly but for the most part is a steep ascent. There are 3 peaks, with the second peak being the most popular and the third peak seldom travelled. There is a junction that splits off towards the first peak but you will need to backtrack to this point to reach the other two peaks. What makes the second peak the most popular is the presence of chain ropes leading up to the top. The area is very steep and can feel unsafe for those who are afraid of heights. After the chains and ladder, it's a fairly steep trek up to the top with no clearly defined path. Grippy hiking shoes provide a huge benefit here but you can follow the trees if you're finding yourself slipping. From the second peak, you can make your way over to the third but the trail is not very well marked and not officially maintained by the park.

Overall, the Chief is an exhilarating yet challenging trail for those feeling more adventurous. Definitely one of the go-to spots for any...

My friend and I gingerly refer to this hike as the Death Hike, since we did it on a day when it was raining heavily, and we started the hike late afternoon. Our descent was in the dark. We saw a few seasoned hikers head up when it was already dark and we were maybe 1/2 way down; we were super impressed. The wooden steps are quite huge, so better warm up those quads. The rocks are strategically placed for grip but also, insure your brain is awake as you will have to play chess and think 4 steps ahead to not plummet down the mountain. No stone step is the same height, length or slippery-ness, the Chief is sure to keep you on your toes. Got to the top after the metal ladder climb, metal chain climb and 45 degree smooth rock ascent. Took in the view of mist, cloud and sleeting rain, and quickly decided best to conquer this summit another day. I had thought a few times on my way down, "What would happen if I gave up and just decided to spend the night up here?". When we got to the bottom, felt super accomplished. It's a beautiful challenge and water will cascade alongside your hike. Lesson of the day: Start hikes early and best when not raining. Also bring snacks, in case you decide to spend the...