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Mount Macfarlane

Mount Macfarlane near Chilliwack, BC

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

21 kms
1 day1 hour
difficult
Hiking
Summer
Chilliwack, BC

toad

LARGER MAP

The Mount Macfarlane trail makes its way to lower Pierce Lake along a fantastic (but relentlessly steep) trail. Climbing almost 3500 ft to the lake, it is a most welcome sight while under the weight of an overnight pack. We camped at this beautiful emerald green 100 ft deep Lake, and took a resident canoe out for a spin. In the morning we set out for Upper Pierce Lake and Mt. Macfarlane. This is where the scenery really opens up. Breathtaking!

Directions:

From Highway 1, take the "119 Sardis" exit, turn left at the Chilliwack Lake sign (4-way stop at the bridge), and drive about 22 km to a turn off on the right. A good gravel road takes you to a gate and sign. The trailhead is about 2 and a half switchbacks up the gated road.

By Posted By: Rambo - Sun Aug 29 02:39:37 EDT 2010 Not Rated Upside Views, views, 360degrees view. The summit. Downside Long, hard and exhausting hike for a one day trip.
No views until you hit Pierce lake and Upper Pierce lake.

The pain in my knees at the end of the day. Comment I just came back from a one day trip to Mount MacFarlane. The views are awesome, the hike is long and hard and the lakes are gorgeous.

This hike is hard for even a fit hiker. It's a 3 and a half hours up to the first lake, and 2 and a half hours to the second lake and 40 minutes to the summit. Total 7 long hours to the summit, including water, food and picture breaks.

The way back was a big pain (in the knees) as it feels like it will never end, going down and your knees will never stop aching and hurting. Nobody's knees are made for this kind of hike, sticks anyone? 3 and a half hours down, down, downnnnnn.

For the elevation gain part, I really don't believe some of the books and reviews out there. 1000m ? Nah it didnt feel like only 1000m. This hike is just steep steep steep and constant. There's only few elevation loss on the way up, maybe one worth mentioning. Maybe the books don't add that elevation loss I guess.

I would recommend an overnighter for this one, the scenery is worth 2 days of your life. But if you're in shape and start early (before 8am), this one is doable but really harsh on the way down. Bring the camera, you will be blown away.

By Posted By: CCCHGirl - Fri Aug 13 01:05:07 EDT 2010 Upside Amazing views and the trail was well traveled. Downside Just kept going up and up and the switchbacks well lets just say it goes up and up and when you think your close it goes up more. Comment I loved the hike we overnighted it so we had heavy packs which made this a grind

By Posted By: geoffvl - Mon Jan 26 13:07:47 EST 2009 Upside Awesome Hike. Gorgeous scenery. Downside Hard hike for the average hiker. Not much camping room at the lower lake. Comment Went up with 3 friends. It was really tough on 3 of us who didn't hike too much. But my one friend was in top shape and didn't seem to have a problem with the steep trail. The trail never lets you have a break. Just keeps going up and up. But in the end it's really worth it.

By Posted By: treeinbc - Mon Oct 16 14:05:02 EDT 2006 Upside Beautiful lake! Mountain goats! Downside Garbage, garbage and more garbage. Firing range can be heard all the way up. Comment Just did this hike for the first time to upper lake in 6 hours with fully loaded pack. (stopped for lunch on the way). The peak would be about 45 minutes from the upper lake.

Camped at upper lake and it snowed over night with a white-out on the peak so did not make it to the peak but the upper lake and area is well worth it. The area is just beautiful with lots to see and do including mountain goats. DON'T bother even stopping at the first lake. Garbage, broken beer bottles, toilet paper everywhere. THANKFULLY these idiots don't make it to the upper lake so it is pristine. There are 2 wooden pads (we used to camp on) that distract from the landscape but otherwise this upper lake and area is well respected.

I meet hikers on the way up that had done the hike to the peak in a day hike. A fit hiker could get the the peak with a day pack in probably 4.5 hours. It's all uphill so going down would take about 3.5 hours or less.

By Posted By: moken - Tue Apr 27 15:04:09 EDT 2004 Not Rated Upside Swimming in the upper lake is cold but exhilarating.
View of Mt. Slesse (from peak)
Downside With a heavy pack, be prepared for a gruelling hike and no real good views until near lower Pierce Lake. Comment The trail is more steep than it is precarious. For the most part the trail is wide up until the lower lake is reached.
The time to Lower Pierce Lake (even with heavy packs) can easily be done in 3-6 hours if you're in good shape. Beginners might take 5-10 hours to reach the lower lake.
Best to camp at the lower lake or meadow just after it, and then hike to peak without packs.
The time from the upper lake to the peak (without packs) only takes about 1 hour each way.
The hike to peak possibly could be a day trip if you have light pack with bare essentials.

By Posted By: iamcanjim - Mon Nov 17 01:39:33 EST 2003 Upside Beautiful lake, trail in good condition. Downside Steep, and long. No views for many hours. Comment Not reccomended for beginners.