How long does it take to hike Stawamus Chief?

First Peak is a 4km round trip from the Chief parking lot and will take an average group around 3 to 4 hours. Fast parties can do it 1.5-2 hours. Second Peak is a little longer at 5km and will take most groups 4 to 5 hours. Third Peak is 7km and should be given 5 to 7 hours.

Is the Stawamus Chief hike open?

The park is open to public access from April 15, 2022 – Oct. 16, 2022. (The park is accessible, but may not offer full services such as water, security etc.)

Is the Chief harder than the Grouse Grind?

The Chief hike is harder. The Grouse Grind technically involves more elevation gain in a shorter distance. However, the entire climb takes place on stairs, which may be monotonous, but are much simpler to navigate than the rocks, roots, chains and ladders of the Chief.

Why is the Chief in Squamish called the Chief?

Stawamus was the name of the village at the foot of the mountain and “chief” is a rough translation of Siám’, though the term apparently reflects a social ranking of which chief is a fairly unsophisticated substitute.

Can you hike the Chief with running shoes?

I have seen others hike with minimalist running shoes like the Vibram FiveFingers but never barefoot. Not longer afterwards, I made it down to the parking lot, a little sore but totally ready to hike the Stawamus Chief again.

Do you need a pass to climb the Chief?

The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. As of July 2021, folks coming to Stawamus Chief Provincial Park must reserve a free day-use permit before arriving. Every hiker, even folks going on short hikes must obtain the free permit.

Can a beginner do Grouse Grind?

But, if you’re a beginner and never done it before, it can take up to two hours (or more). For those that are really in shape, you can try and beat the fastest grouse grind time set by Sebastian Salas of Vancouver who completed the trail in just under 24 minutes.

How long does it take to climb the Chief?

The Stawamus Chief Hiking Route. The Squamish Chief hike has a roughly 500 m elevation gain to peak 1, and 590 m and 630 m gains to Peaks 2 and 3. It is considered an intermediate hike, and takes about 90 minutes to reach Peak 1, and slightly longer if you choose to ascend one of the other two peaks.

Is the Chief a monolith?

It towers over 700 m (2,297 ft) above the waters of nearby Howe Sound. It is often claimed to be the “second largest granite monolith in the world”. The Squamish, indigenous people from this area, consider the Chief to be a place of spiritual significance.

How do you say mountain in Squamish?

The Squamish language name for the mountain is Siám’ Smánit (siám’ is usually translated as “chief” though it is really a social ranking), and their traditions say it is a longhouse transformed to stone by Xáays, as the Transformer Brothers are known in this language….

How high is Grouse Grind?

Trail Information The Grouse Grind Trail is located in North Vancouver, BC. It is a very steep trail that starts at 300 metres elevation and climbs to 1,100 metres over a distance of approximately 2.5 kilometres. The hike is rated difficult because of its steepness.

Can you hike Stawamus Chief in winter?

The main trail up the mountain, which diverts to all three peaks, is often referred to as the Chief Backside Trail. The Stawamus Chief gets snow during the winter, but not as much as some of the other nearby mountains. For this reason, The Chief enjoys a fairly long hiking season.

How do I get to Stawamus Chief?

The Stawamus Chief is the distinctive towering mountain that overlooks the town of Squamish north of Vancouver. To get to the Chief, take Highway #1 westbound towards Horseshoe Bay and continue onto Highway #99 (Sea to Sky Highway).

How long is the Stawamus Chief trail?

Stawamus Chief Trail is a 6.1 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Squamish, British Columbia, Canada that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult.

How many summits are on the Stawamus Chief?

The Stawamus Chief is divided into three distinct summits and all three are accessible from the main Chief Hiking Trail. The closest of the three in terms of distance from the parking lot, First Peak is both the busiest and the best when it comes to views of Howe Sound.

What can you do on the Stawamus Ridge?

From the ridge, users will enjoy the views of the seas, Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, and the surrounding hiking trails that will make folks have a different perspective. This is a great place to contemplate life, and to enjoy the easier descent.