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Elk Mountain to Thurston Mountain

Elk Mountain to Thurston Mountain near Chilliwack, BC

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This trail was given a rating of 3 out of 5 stars

-
4hours
moderate
Hiking
Fall, Summer
Chilliwack, BC

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For years this trail has been popular with the Chilliwack locals--almost as popular as Mt Cheam further up the Chilliwack River Valley.

Get travel information on Chilliwack from HelloBC.com

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.

By Posted By: jeffvm - Mon Aug 02 22:14:32 EDT 2010 Upside Wide vista from Elk Mountain. Downside No water along the way. Comment We 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.

By Posted By: docdusty75 - Wed Jun 23 10:12:08 EDT 2010 Upside Great potential views! Comment As 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.

By Posted By: jearsy - Sun Jun 13 23:53:24 EDT 2010 Upside Great Views, some nice areas for sub-alpine flowers, and very easy to find Downside Lots of people and the trial can become super muddy if the clouds are passing by or if it rains. Comment I 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.

By Posted By: jayjardine - Tue Oct 13 14:32:23 EDT 2009 Upside Lovely fall hike, great views and decent effort required. Eases up after initial Elk summit. Not too busy. Downside Having 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. Comment Brought 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!

By Posted By: nbarratt - Sun Sep 27 00:57:01 EDT 2009 Not Rated Upside I Love this Hike. I live In the aria and Hike it often.
I'm very dissapointed about the logging. :(

By Posted By: pedro69 - Sun Jul 05 02:27:42 EDT 2009 Not Rated Upside Fantastic trail (once you get past the logging). Downside Logged !!! Comment These 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.

By Posted By: K-nut - Fri Jun 12 18:13:32 EDT 2009 Not Rated Comment Did they put in the woodlot, e-mail me

By Posted By: squirrelbait - Mon Apr 27 14:45:15 EDT 2009 Not Rated Upside Mountain-peak scenery! Downside Not 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. Comment This 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!

By Posted By: tkwedler - Sat Jul 19 13:25:22 EDT 2008 Upside Nice views! Downside No water. Comment It 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.

By Posted By: jarcold - Fri Jul 11 13:51:38 EDT 2008 Upside easy enough for the whole family to do. took my 4 and 7 year olds and they hiked the entire way Downside Only one little stream on trail less than an hour in. Bring lots of water Comment This is not an easy climb but there is little risk untill the very top

By Posted By: wayne170747 - Mon Oct 22 11:39:00 EDT 2007 Upside Clean Krisp Snow at he top Downside Slippery! Comment Went 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.

By Posted By: schmoodo - Sat Apr 14 00:38:36 EDT 2007 Not Rated Upside Great Trail Downside SLATED TO BE LOGGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Comment Decision 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

By Posted By: RWSHiker - Fri Sep 01 00:29:23 EDT 2006 Upside Nice hike, if the weathers nice and theres not too much smog. Nice veiws of the valley. Downside No water on the way up. Comment Good day hike, only went up elk but want to go to thurston. A Fun run down hill.

By Posted By: Pharmer - Fri Jul 07 17:17:01 EDT 2006 Upside Good workout, especially going down, even after doing severel hikes early in the season my quads and thighs got a really good workout. Downside Very 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). Comment The 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.

By Posted By: Sparkle - Thu Nov 24 18:42:29 EST 2005 Upside Easy access to trail, the views at the top are spectacular--friendly furry and feathered creatures may surprise you... Downside Hmmm...I'll let you know if I think of one.

By Posted By: Kiwisun - Fri Aug 05 14:24:50 EDT 2005 Upside It 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. Downside You only cross one tiny creek so you don't have much water. Comment To 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.

By Posted By: edmanvan - Sat May 21 16:48:13 EDT 2005 Upside A great starter hike for the beginning of the season, steady uphill grind, snow at the top and in some shady areas. Downside None. Comment Go for it! Easy to follow :-)

By Posted By: richiep123 - Thu Mar 31 00:41:15 EST 2005 Upside Excellent hike, great views and workout. Downside This 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

By Posted By: westons - Sat Mar 05 17:46:38 EST 2005 Upside Staggering views from the peak of Mt. Thurston. Easygoing plateau between Elk and Thurston. Downside The first hour of hiking is through some steep forests. Comment Stick with the initial hour and one will be rewarded at the two peaks.

By Posted By: Derrick - Sun Jan 02 22:29:09 EST 2005 Upside A great workout anytime of year. Downside How can there be, this is one of the best hikes in the area, especially when linked with Thurston. Comment I worry that a trail this great will turn into a Grouse Grind, amybe not you have to walk down this one.

By Posted By: Outdoor Addict - Mon Nov 15 23:12:50 EST 2004 Upside Great views, trail is well marked, easy to follow Downside Getting to the top and having the valley covered in smog Comment I 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.

By Posted By: The Shadow - Mon Oct 04 04:19:01 EDT 2004 Upside Beautiful views on a clear day. The Whisky Jacks will eat from your hands! Downside Quite 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. Comment This 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!

By Posted By: sigmet61 - Sun Apr 04 20:18:13 EDT 2004 Upside Easy to find and easy to follow Downside Could not see the valley floor due to polution Comment I did not find it easy and I am 40+ and I am not in shape and... oh..maybe that is why.

By Posted By: seawallrunner - Tue Jul 22 15:18:20 EDT 2003 Not Rated Upside the views! an easy-grade trail, beautiful old trees Downside there is no water on the trail, or on the ridge - so arrive prepared