Stawamus Chief

August 6, 2022

Distance: 6km round-trip

Elevation gain: 654m

Time required: 2-4 hours

The Chief is a very distinctive and famous granitic dome in Squamish. Easily visible from the Sea to Sky Highway, it attracts hikers, mountain bikers, and rock climbers from all over.

My first time hiking the Chief was in 2014. It actually happened to be my first ever hike. That summer, my then-boyfriend took me up the granite slabs and I was absolutely blown away by the views and technical nature of the route. I remember thinking how difficult and long it was. Now, it's something I'd do on a rest day just to get some easy movement in (which is what I did in 2022). Funny how our perspective changes over time.

What is collectively called 'The Chief' is a series of three viewpoints or peaks along an exposed ridgeline. There are many different hiking routes to get to these viewpoints, both official and not. The most popular and straightforward route starts from the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park parking lot. There is campground right beside it - almost always filled with rock climbers. Note that the gate is open from 7am to 11pm.

There are a lot of stairs in the beginning - reminiscent of the Grouse Grind except not as steep nor manicured. After a steady climb, there is a junction that leads to the first viewpoint. This section is technical - it has ladders and chains.

Looking towards the second peak from the first peak

From the first peak, you can either climb back down the way you came and go an easier route to the second peak, or you continue northward on what is technically a climbing route and therefore requires scrambling experience.

This hike is technical - lots of ladders, ropes, and chains.

The second peak has the best views. On a clear day, you can see far into the Howe Sound. The reward-to-effort ratio is incredibly high on this hike.

Me as a complete newbie in 2014 - my first ever real hike

Howe Sound comparison August 2022 vs March 2020:

Squamish valley comparison August 2022 vs March 2020

Full panoramic shot of the Howe Sound and Squamish from the second peak (this was in 2014)

Going from the second peak to the third peak is just as technical. Very fun.

Slightly cloudy day in 2019. You can see the Sea to Sky highway beside the Howe Sound.

Looking back on the second peak

Highline connecting two rock faces at the third peak. This was in 2014.

Once done with the third peak, you have a couple of options for getting back. One option is to start to go back the way you came and then get onto the second/third peak trail (the non-exposed one) and take that back down to the parking lot. Another option (that I prefer) is to go down the Chief Backside trail and then take the Slhanay Trail until it connects back up with the main Stawamus Chief trail which you can then take the rest of the way down.

The time required to complete the full loop is very variable. It depends on how experienced with you are with scrambling and how long you spend at each viewpoint. You could do the entire loop in about 2 hours (which I did) or it could take you 4+ hours. Leave extra time if you aren't sure.

Oh and once you're done, if you have time, stop and have a look at Shannon Falls before you head back towards Vancouver. There's a separate parking lot just prior to the Stawamus Chief parking lot. It's worth it.

Shannon Falls