Stawamus Chief

Stawamus Chief Second Peak trip report by Winnie Sunday, April 27, 2025,

Four BOC members gathered at Burnaby City Hall before 8:00 am on Sunday, hoping to avoid the inevitable traffic and secure a good parking spot for the popular Stawamus Chief hike. This early departure proved to be a smart decision as we sailed through traffic, reaching the parking lot in under an hour. We began our hike at 9:07 am, with the goal of reaching Peak 2, located 1.7 km up the trail. We agreed that if we still had the energy after reaching Peak 2, we would consider tackling Peak 1 on our return. The Stawamus Chief is a relatively short but steep hike, with an elevation gain of 712 meters. The trail features a combination of stairs, rocky terrain, and large boulders, making it both challenging and exciting. At the 1 km mark, we arrived at the junction for Peak 1 and Peak 2. Since we were headed for Peak 2, we continued onward, noticing fewer hikers on the trail. It seemed that many had either turned off towards Peak 1 or had passed us earlier. As we ascended further, the trail narrowed, and we encountered some tight crevices, requiring us to maneuver carefully. At this point, chains and ladders appeared to assist us in navigating the more technical sections of the hike. After pushing through the final stretch, we reached the summit of Peak 2 at 11:30 am. The effort was well worth it, as the views from the top were absolutely breathtaking. We were treated to panoramic vistas of Howe Sound, Squamish Harbour, and the iconic Sea to Sky Highway. After enjoying a well-earned lunch at the summit, we began our descent. We took our time and took nice fun pictures on the way and finally returned to the parking lot by 2:00 pm, feeling accomplished and grateful for the fantastic experience.

Hike Leads: Winnie Ng & Jacques Trepanier