The Stawamus Chief: Squamish
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The Stawamus Chief/First Peak: Squamish
Difficult, hills, steep, view, chains, ladders, roots, rocks, steep staircases, slippery granite
Elevation: 626 meters
Length: 7 km's return
Dogs: Yes; leashed *Keep in mind there are two ladders and may be difficult for dogs to ascend & descend*
Pit Toilet: Yes, trail beginning only
Hiking Checklist:
Backpack, poles (fold-able), 10-essentials, tell someone
Directions: Drive to Squamish and past the Sea to Sky Gondola. There is parking for The Chief Hike.
Trail: At the start of the trail you will see the Sea to Sky trail markers. You follow these in the beginning. Start the trail past the sign post. Walk a long the only flat part as you come to some big rock steps. Then right after a long set of stairs. The next part of the trail is a series of stairs, rocks, stairs, rocks, stairs and rocks. These steps are big and deep making it tiring. Then a shorter part of rocks & stairs. On the side of the trail Shannon Falls roars and you'll get a glimpse here and there of the powerful falls. The next part of the trail are rock steps and this part of the trail goes on for quite some time. The trail is not as steep but still quite a grunt up. Soon you arrive at the Sea to Sky veers to the right. Keep going straight. Not long after you will see a sign for third peak. You can go to Third Peak from here however, it's said it is not well marked. We kept following the First Peak trail. The next part of the trail is wooden stairs, rocks and roots. Then two sets of staircases back to back with rocky stairs in between. It is at this point you are about 1/2 way. Keep going as you carry on up some wood steps and more rocks. It’s not as steep. Another short staircase. After the staircase it's more rocks and a lookout. Then up some trail, roots and rocks to another staircase.
Then a sign post. You are about 1 km away. Follow the steep snaky trail to a small ladder and more stairs. Then make your way along granite slabs. You'll come to a crevasse with a chain and trees to help you toward a ladder. Once at the top there are two chains to help pull you up. Climb up the granite slab and then through some trees to a large granite slab. Make your way to the top. There’s little crevices and foot holes to help you up and down. Once at the top there are many places to sit and have lunch. The views are stunning. When your camera is full make your way down the granite slab the way you came. Give yourself time to get down; it is steep and the steps are big. Once past the ladders I used my poles on some sections to get me down carefully and to ease the pain on my knees. It's handy to have the ones that fold up and fit in your pack so they don't be bothersome when on the ladders and using the chains. I wouldn’t do this in the rain, snow or ice. Happy & safe hiking.
Difficult, hills, steep, view, chains, ladders, roots, rocks, steep staircases, slippery granite
Elevation: 626 meters
Length: 7 km's return
Dogs: Yes; leashed *Keep in mind there are two ladders and may be difficult for dogs to ascend & descend*
Pit Toilet: Yes, trail beginning only
Hiking Checklist:
Backpack, poles (fold-able), 10-essentials, tell someone
Directions: Drive to Squamish and past the Sea to Sky Gondola. There is parking for The Chief Hike.
Trail: At the start of the trail you will see the Sea to Sky trail markers. You follow these in the beginning. Start the trail past the sign post. Walk a long the only flat part as you come to some big rock steps. Then right after a long set of stairs. The next part of the trail is a series of stairs, rocks, stairs, rocks, stairs and rocks. These steps are big and deep making it tiring. Then a shorter part of rocks & stairs. On the side of the trail Shannon Falls roars and you'll get a glimpse here and there of the powerful falls. The next part of the trail are rock steps and this part of the trail goes on for quite some time. The trail is not as steep but still quite a grunt up. Soon you arrive at the Sea to Sky veers to the right. Keep going straight. Not long after you will see a sign for third peak. You can go to Third Peak from here however, it's said it is not well marked. We kept following the First Peak trail. The next part of the trail is wooden stairs, rocks and roots. Then two sets of staircases back to back with rocky stairs in between. It is at this point you are about 1/2 way. Keep going as you carry on up some wood steps and more rocks. It’s not as steep. Another short staircase. After the staircase it's more rocks and a lookout. Then up some trail, roots and rocks to another staircase.
Then a sign post. You are about 1 km away. Follow the steep snaky trail to a small ladder and more stairs. Then make your way along granite slabs. You'll come to a crevasse with a chain and trees to help you toward a ladder. Once at the top there are two chains to help pull you up. Climb up the granite slab and then through some trees to a large granite slab. Make your way to the top. There’s little crevices and foot holes to help you up and down. Once at the top there are many places to sit and have lunch. The views are stunning. When your camera is full make your way down the granite slab the way you came. Give yourself time to get down; it is steep and the steps are big. Once past the ladders I used my poles on some sections to get me down carefully and to ease the pain on my knees. It's handy to have the ones that fold up and fit in your pack so they don't be bothersome when on the ladders and using the chains. I wouldn’t do this in the rain, snow or ice. Happy & safe hiking.
To my dad. You taught me to love the mountains & respect nature. Wherever you are there's not a second, minute, or a day that I don't think of you. This hike is dedicated to you...Miss you-Love you, dad! xoxo Lori