The approach is great. You get to drive the first thousand metres of elevation gain, so this makes it a good short foray into the alpine. It's about two hours up to the summit of Elk and an hour or so down. It would be more for Thurston, which is a 15 kilometre (7 hour) return trip from the parking lot.
To begin, expect a nice open forest of second growth hemlock which is refreshingly cool in the summer. The trail gently gains elevation for the first half hour before it starts to steepen. The last few hundred metres are the steepest, about 35 degrees replete with some stairs. The forest below gives way to alpine fir and Sitka Mountain Ash and even wild strawberries. Views will inspire you to hike even higher. To the north you can see Harrison and Kilby Bay and to the west into the lower Fraser Valley.
The final few hundred metres of trail is bluffy and covered with some loose scree. This is over quickly however and soon you are on top of Elk Mountain near 1500 metres. Here you can see across to the Border Peaks, Slesse Mountain and even into United States. Below, the fine line of the Chilliwack River Road runs through the valley. To the southwest Vedder Mountain, and Cultus Lake beckon. Follow the well-worn trail to Mt Thurston (1627 metres), about one hour or so distant gaining a further 150 metres of elevation.
Approach
Get out of Vancouver and head east to Chilliwack, (about an hour). Pass the main exit to Chilliwack and continue toward Hope for less than a couple of kilometres to (Prest Rd. Exit 123). Head south toward the big hill with the sub-division on it for about 4 km and turn left onto Bailey Rd and stay right going uphill on Elk View Road. Follow Elk View Road (the main road) gaining elevation twisting and winding up the pavement until it plateaus and starts climbing again as it turns into a gravel road (Chilliwack Bench FSR). After about 500 metres an obvious pullout appears. Park here. The trail marker signpost indicates the beginning of the trail.
Sorry directions weren't available. Please check the bottom of the description.
ByPosted By: jeffvm
- Mon Aug 02 22:14:32 EDT 2010
UpsideWide vista from Elk Mountain.
DownsideNo water along the way.
CommentWe only went as far as Elk Mountain, which was good enough for us. The trail is wide and smooth and easy underfoot. The climb is a little steeper once you break out of the trees, but by then you are not far from the top.
The meadows smelled sweet with all the beautiful alpine flowers- red, orange, yellow, blue, white. That was a real treat. And a fantastic panorama from the top. We could see the clouds swirling as they blew up the face of the mountain. Too bad the views of Mt. Baker were obscured by the clouds.
We completed this hike in 3.5 hours. We also ran like maniacs for most of the way down.
ByPosted By: docdusty75
- Wed Jun 23 10:12:08 EDT 2010
UpsideGreat potential views!
CommentAs of June 22/10 the trail was clear all the way to the cairn before you ascend Thurston. Some snow on Thurston but not enough to deter from reaching the top. Trail markers were a little tough to see on Thurston but I had a map and compass. Bring lots of water since there are no water sources after around 750m elevation. It was foggy/cloudy through my whole hike so I didn't see many of the potential views but still enjoyed the hike. I will do this again on a clear day.
ByPosted By: jearsy
- Sun Jun 13 23:53:24 EDT 2010
UpsideGreat Views, some nice areas for sub-alpine flowers, and very easy to find
DownsideLots of people and the trial can become super muddy if the clouds are passing by or if it rains.
CommentI hiked up it today, middle of June, and we did get all the way to the top but it was soaked right in so there was no view even though everywhere else it was clear which was a great shame. The trial itself is in good shape but it is very steep, and is very steep all the way until you reach Elk Peak. Once you are past Elk it gets pretty easy for a few kilometers until you reach Thurston Peak. There were some snow patches that were in some places could go up to your hips but that's about it.
ByPosted By: jayjardine
- Tue Oct 13 14:32:23 EDT 2009
UpsideLovely fall hike, great views and decent effort required. Eases up after initial Elk summit. Not too busy.
DownsideHaving to fight traffic heading back into Vancouver on a Sunday afternoon or long weekend. Trail is well worn, smooth and easy to follow, but so are a couple of dead ends and detours.
CommentBrought the dog along and we made it all the way to Thurston and back in under five hours. If a wiener dog can do it, so can you!
ByPosted By: nbarratt
- Sun Sep 27 00:57:01 EDT 2009
Not Rated
UpsideI Love this Hike. I live In the aria and Hike it often. I'm very dissapointed about the logging. :(
ByPosted By: pedro69
- Sun Jul 05 02:27:42 EDT 2009
Not Rated
UpsideFantastic trail (once you get past the logging).
DownsideLogged !!!
CommentThese people claim to be the stewards of the environment and they logged a protected trail. This is in the Environment Minister's home riding. Sickening.
ByPosted By: K-nut
- Fri Jun 12 18:13:32 EDT 2009
Not Rated
CommentDid they put in the woodlot, e-mail me
ByPosted By: squirrelbait
- Mon Apr 27 14:45:15 EDT 2009
Not Rated
UpsideMountain-peak scenery!
DownsideNot so spectacular in cloudy weather - I'll definitely make sure it's a clear day when I do it again. Quite a slog up throught the forest to the ridge, but pretty nonetheless.
CommentThis was my 2nd time of doing this hike - on Apr 25 2009 - and there was so much ice on the trail further up that we turned around after about 1 hr 15 mins. Some of my group made it to the view point, but I didn't even get that far - it was too hairy!
ByPosted By: tkwedler
- Sat Jul 19 13:25:22 EDT 2008
UpsideNice views!
DownsideNo water.
CommentIt was a very cloudy day so we could not see much. Other than the blocked view the trail is in really good shape. The trailhead is more than 500m from where the pavement ends but it is less than 1KM.
ByPosted By: jarcold
- Fri Jul 11 13:51:38 EDT 2008
Upsideeasy enough for the whole family to do. took my 4 and 7 year olds and they hiked the entire way
DownsideOnly one little stream on trail less than an hour in. Bring lots of water
CommentThis is not an easy climb but there is little risk untill the very top
ByPosted By: wayne170747
- Mon Oct 22 11:39:00 EDT 2007
UpsideClean Krisp Snow at he top
DownsideSlippery!
CommentWent up on October 20. For the last few hundred meters we moved through an increasingly thick layer of powder. There was a decent view from the top as we were in between two cloud layers and could see the summits of the nearby peaks.
A good hkle on a sloppy cold fall day.
ByPosted By: schmoodo
- Sat Apr 14 00:38:36 EDT 2007
Not Rated
UpsideGreat Trail
DownsideSLATED TO BE LOGGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CommentDecision is pending regarding logging early May. Rally on earthday April 22nd at trailhead 9:00 to save this great trail. Check out elkmountaintrail.com for more info
ByPosted By: RWSHiker
- Fri Sep 01 00:29:23 EDT 2006
UpsideNice hike, if the weathers nice and theres not too much smog. Nice veiws of the valley.
DownsideNo water on the way up.
CommentGood day hike, only went up elk but want to go to thurston. A Fun run down hill.
ByPosted By: Pharmer
- Fri Jul 07 17:17:01 EDT 2006
UpsideGood workout, especially going down, even after doing severel hikes early in the season my quads and thighs got a really good workout.
DownsideVery little access to water, we were licky and hit the last patch of snow between Elk and Thurston so we had lots of cold fresh water (very refreshing because it was quite hot up top).
CommentThe view at the top makes the hike defintely worthwhile, your first view point gives you the Fraser Valley and at the top you get to see Columbia valley and all the Southern Mountains.
ByPosted By: Sparkle
- Thu Nov 24 18:42:29 EST 2005
UpsideEasy access to trail, the views at the top are spectacular--friendly furry and feathered creatures may surprise you...
DownsideHmmm...I'll let you know if I think of one.
ByPosted By: Kiwisun
- Fri Aug 05 14:24:50 EDT 2005
UpsideIt is a somewhat steep hike to the summit of Elk Mountain but to Thurston it's not to bad. Great views of Mount McGuire, The American and Canadian Border Peaks and Mount Tomyhoi from both Elk and Thurston. Great beginner hike.
DownsideYou only cross one tiny creek so you don't have much water.
CommentTo get there, drive from the #1 onto Prest Road follow it until you reach Ryder Lake Road. Turn Right and follow it until you reach a gravel parking lot. A sign says Elk, Thurston Trail. On to the trail and you are on your way. Have a nice hike.
ByPosted By: edmanvan
- Sat May 21 16:48:13 EDT 2005
UpsideA great starter hike for the beginning of the season, steady uphill grind, snow at the top and in some shady areas.
DownsideNone.
CommentGo for it! Easy to follow :-)
ByPosted By: richiep123
- Thu Mar 31 00:41:15 EST 2005
UpsideExcellent hike, great views and workout.
DownsideThis time of year, there was plenty of snow, too much to contiue up to thurston, but able to get to the top of elk, approx 4 inches of snow when you get to the top of elk
ByPosted By: westons
- Sat Mar 05 17:46:38 EST 2005
UpsideStaggering views from the peak of Mt. Thurston. Easygoing plateau between Elk and Thurston.
DownsideThe first hour of hiking is through some steep forests.
CommentStick with the initial hour and one will be rewarded at the two peaks.
ByPosted By: Derrick
- Sun Jan 02 22:29:09 EST 2005
UpsideA great workout anytime of year.
DownsideHow can there be, this is one of the best hikes in the area, especially when linked with Thurston.
CommentI worry that a trail this great will turn into a Grouse Grind, amybe not you have to walk down this one.
ByPosted By: Outdoor Addict
- Mon Nov 15 23:12:50 EST 2004
UpsideGreat views, trail is well marked, easy to follow
DownsideGetting to the top and having the valley covered in smog
CommentI have done this hike approx. 5 times to the Elk summit-once to Thurston. My eldest daughter did the trip to Elk when she was 7 and gave the experience a thumbs up.
ByPosted By: The Shadow
- Mon Oct 04 04:19:01 EDT 2004
UpsideBeautiful views on a clear day. The Whisky Jacks will eat from your hands!
DownsideQuite a trek if your out of shape! No water on trail other than a small creek 10 minutes from the parking lot. No views AT ALL for the first hour or so.
CommentThis is a good place to take in the views of the valley! Although it is a bit of a trudge, the rewards outweigh the effort! Come early and stay for a while!
ByPosted By: sigmet61
- Sun Apr 04 20:18:13 EDT 2004
UpsideEasy to find and easy to follow
DownsideCould not see the valley floor due to polution
CommentI did not find it easy and I am 40+ and I am not in shape and... oh..maybe that is why.
ByPosted By: seawallrunner
- Tue Jul 22 15:18:20 EDT 2003
Not Rated
Upsidethe views! an easy-grade trail, beautiful old trees
Downsidethere is no water on the trail, or on the ridge - so arrive prepared
Posted By: jeffvm
Posted By: docdusty75
Posted By: jayjardine
Posted By: nbarratt
Posted By: wayne170747
