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August 7, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Chilliwack, Hiking
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We arrived at the Foley Forest Service Road,28km down the Chilliwack Lake Road and started the 15km drive up to the Mount Cheam trailhead. We passed a number of ATV’s and dirt bikes on the lower section of the climb.
Not long into the drive it became apparent why a 4x4 is recommended on this road. The forest service road is decommissioned and the frequent and fairly deep ditches and uneven surface mean that having a vehicle with a decent height clearance is important if you want to make it all of the way up to the trailhead. The ascent gets fairly steep in places as well as narrow. There are definitely a few points you don’t want to meet a vehicle coming the other way! If you want to break the journey up, there are a number of good lookout points to grab some photos. Do this on the way up if the weather is good as by the time you are on your way down, conditions could change.
About 4km before the trailhead we passed a few SUV’s (probably not 4WD) parked just off the road and this is the point where your 4WD will become very useful. Ironically the last km of the drive is comparatively smooth and in fair condition, compared to what you have encountered before. There is a parking area at the trailhead.
This is the first time I had climbed Mount Cheam and the first difference I immediately noticed was the absence of a forest canopy. The terrain was very open and from the outset we could see the climb which lay ahead. The first section of the hike from the trailhead lead us up a steadily climbing winding gravel path which crossed a few streams. It’s not long before you are rewarded with your first views of snow covered Mount Baker.
Not too long into the hike, we encounter our first large area of snow to traverse, the first of several which would add at least 20 minutes to our hike. After the gravel path and snow fields, we reached the first meadow and saw the first signs of beautiful wild flowers you only tend to see at this altitude. Still at the this point there hadn’t been too many steep climbs, though this is the first point at which the trail narrows to the point at which it is one person at a time!
Gradually the meadow opens up and the climb becomes steadily steeper. Before the final push we are treated to views of both Jones Lake from the first of several cliff edges we encounter and Cultus Lake can also be seen in the distance. This is also the first point at which it is evident that our day of blue skies and hot weather is quickly changing. Thin cloud is starting to roll in below us and temperatures start to fall surprisingly quickly. The first change we encounter on the final push is wind, lots of it and whilst refreshing at first to counter the sweat we have worked up it soon becomes irritating as we all become very cold and realise that we have not come prepared for the changes in weather we are encountering. Having left 30 degrees and blue sky on the ground it is difficult to believe we are now struggling to stay warm.
As we reach the plateau it provides superb views of the valley on a clear day, which unfortunately this day no longer is! A memorable and exhilarating hike meaning I now look at Mount Cheam with a renewed respect.
January 30, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Chilliwack, Hiking
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The Baby Munday Area is a spectacular hiking area just East of Chilliwack. To reach this incredible alpine wilderness, it is best to plan an overnight hike. The trail is very steep and requires about 720m of elevation gain. Access is from the Foley Lake Forestry Service Road (just off the Chilliwack Lake Road). A good route description can be found in a book called 'Scrambles in SW BC' by Matt Gunn. Once up in the alpine, several peaks can be climbed, including Knight Peak (an intermediate hike), Baby Munday North Peak (moderate scramble), and Stewart Peak (moderate scramble with some exposure).
December 23, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Chilliwack, Hiking
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most of the way up mount webb in chilliwack lake provincial park is radium lake .this is a moderate 15 km. hike from the footbridge by the campground. this area was opened by british royal engineers training between ww1 and ww2. .they named the alpine lakes for the beautiful green colour of the water. flora,greendrop,and radium lakes. the trail was very scenic, with alpine meadows and dark old growth rainforest. the trail follows and crosses radium creek fort he over 900 meter climb.there are numerous log bridges and a wild suspension bridge on the way, along with historical ruins of charles lindemans old sattelite hunting cabins.upon reaching the lake i was impressd by the rugged beauty of it all. it was definitely worth all the effort.
December 23, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Chilliwack, Hiking
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In May i went camping at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park.The hiking trails were closed by snow, and water levels so high that the boat launch was inacsessible.My neighbour suggested we drive to the south end of the lake and hike in to the reserve. The 11.5 km. road is not suitable for cars, but a 2 wheel drive truck is no problem (use caution).As we neared the end of the road, Depot Creek was washing over the road, so we decided to add an extra kilometer to the hike and not drive through as the ability to drive out would be uncertain. The easy trail is normally 5.4 km. return. Along the way there is a visible line where 2nd growth forest meets old growth.There is a beautiful sandy beach here, but it was under 1 meter of water. The trail ends opposite the mouth of the south chilliwack river. This part is a narrow peninsula with an old beaver pond to the south and lake to north. Near here my hiking partner walked right past a rare and endangered spotted owl. It was napping about 3 meters off the trail, and resembled a boulder. On the return trip it had moved to better cover about 10 meters off the trail. This place is so beautiful i wish i could post all the photos.
November 26, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Chilliwack, Hiking
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Had to share with you the best hiking experience I encountered during my stay in Western Canada. I spent the last 3 months touring BC and Alberta and some of the best hiking trails I experienced were in Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley.
Upon arriving in the city, we checked out the local Visitor Centre which was easy to find by following the yellow and blue 'I' signs posted all over BC. These became very familiar during my travels and were always a good source of information.
I picked up a Chilliwack Hiking Trail guide and was advised to check out the hike up Elk mountain and the Lindeman Lake trail. I decided to do the Lindeman trail first following a morning visit to Cultus Lake which was beautiful. The Lindeman trailhead was easy to find and parking was on the Chilliwack Lake Road which was right by the trailhead. The trail itself was well marked and involved a little scrambling over fallen trees and over rocks which added to the sense of adventure. After about an hour and a quarter I arrived at this glacial lake with a beautiful green glow similar to that of which I saw at Lake Louise but in natural surroundings which were truly unspoilt.
Blessed with 2 days good weather in a row I headed up Elk mountain which after about an hours steady hiking and another 20 minutes slightly more challenging climbing I arrived at an opening which provided me with a view of Mount Baker in the US which I will never forget! The climb to the summit is so close at this point and more rewards awaited me as I made the last few challenging steps to the summit. The view of the Fraser Valley was exceptional - I could see for miles! I spent a good hour taking in the view with the best picnic spot in town.
For anyone visiting Chilliwack, I highly recommend these 2 hikes and make sure you climb Elk on a good weather day for the best views. Please note that the map location is for the hike up Elk Mountain.
July 17, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Chilliwack, Hot Springs
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We've traveled to PEI, N.B., Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Palm Srings, Maui, Nashville, Vancouver Is., In catagories of relative to cost, experience, stress, variety, these rate second to what can be experienced in Harrison Hot Springs.
Maybe you have to pick your days, like what we're experiencing now. It's not far from Vancouver and you have lakes, golf, beach - sand castles, marine craft activities. The Harrison Hot Springs Hotel has to be the best around because of their location, many rooms with a view. When it snows, you've got skiing not a far drive away. There's hot springs pool open for the public. Of course, the pools in the hotel are second to none.
If you're going to be in Harrison on a Sunday, there's a cool church only walking distance from the hotels and B&B's.
February 21, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Chilliwack, Gardens & City Parks
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During our vacation visit to BC in the summer of 2005, we found a wonderfful place to visit just accross a water them Park near Bridal Veil Falls.
We had just droped off our kids for their fun in the water whereafter my wife (Eva) and I crossed the highway to check out the a Garden Park we were told about.
Upon our arrival we were fasinated to discover such a well mainatain Garden Park. The Name of this wonderful theme Garden is "Minter Gardens" it features 11 themed gardens which dazzle our senses with massive displays of colour and fragrance. We spent all morning and into the afternoon walking thorughout the facility thoroughly enjoying the sences, smells and sounds of this Heavenly Place!
We would encourage anyone just leaving Chilliwack or just about to arrive there to pull off and take the time to visit this place. It will be pleasent memory for all!
We have choosen one photo we took of the Rose Garden (though there were many others we could have choosen) for your viewing pleasure.
Thank you for the chance to share our experince with this discovery we made in BC.
Mike & Eva McGraw Moncton, NB Canada
February 20, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Chilliwack, Natural Landforms
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The most beautiful secret hideaway. Leave everything behind and enter another world.
Bridal Falls located on BC Highway # 1, just 16 km (10 mi.) east of Chilliwack, and south of Hope. Just take Exit #135 from the TransCanada Highway and follow the signs.