Stawamus Chief Trail RatingStawamus Chief is the mammoth rock face that towers over Squamish. Though hardly believable from looking at, the summit is an easy two hour hike. In fact there are three peaks, South (First), Centre (Second), and North (Third). Each accessible from the single trailhead.  Growing in popularity as the newest brother to the Grouse Grind in Vancouver because there are quite a few stairs and considerable elevation gain.

  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProIncredible views from the top
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProEnjoyable, but very steep hike
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProFamous rock climbing destination
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProLots of terrain to wander at the top
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProConvenient trailhead on Hwy 99
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProBusy, but organized trails
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProDog friendly hiking trails
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProFree access & free parking
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ProNice campsites at the trailhead
  • Squamish Hiking Trails ConNo camping at the top

Squamish & Whistler Trails

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Stawamus Chief, more often referred to as The Chief, is well know as one of the largest granite monoliths in the world.  The Chief attracts rock climbers from around the world to its many incredible climbing routes up this granite dome that towers over 700 metres(2297 feet) above Howe Sound.  The Chief covers an area roughly three square kilometres and the original granite dome is fractured into several separate summits.  The three main summits are the First Peak, Second Peak and Third Peak.  All are accessible by the park's maintained hiking trail network.  First Peak is 1.5 kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 540 metres.  Second Peak is 1.7 kilometres from the trailhead and with an elevation gain of 590 metres.  Third Peak is 1.8 kilometres from the trailhead and has an elevation gain of 630 metres.  Another notable summit, just north of Third Peak is the Zodiac Summit.  No maintained trail leads to the Zodiac Summit, though finding the route to it is not too difficult.  The Zodiac Summit is a quiet oasis in this often bustling park.  Most hikers head straight to First Peak, though all three summits get a considerable amount of hiker traffic on an average summer day.  Zodiac Summit remains off the radar for almost all visitors to the park. 

The Chief from the Squamish Marina

Stawamus Chief from the Marina

The Shannon Falls Trail Connects to the Stawamus Chief Trail

Stawamus Chief Trail

 Amazing Views from the First Peak

Stawamus Chief in Squamish

The Chief in The Alpinist 

The Chief is featured a bunch of times in the amazing movie The Alpinist.  This incredible movie follows Marc-André Leclerc from his home in Squamish, then around the world as he climbs mountain routes previously considered impossible.

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