On Sunday of the August long weekend my brother and I scaled Cheam Peak located just outside Chilliwack, BC.  A truly breathtaking hike through alpine meadows towards an unobstructed and panoramic view of the Fraser Valley.  The peak is visible as a prominent landmark from the well traveled Trans Canada Highway that will evoke great memories every time I pass by it.

You can see the location of the hike on the map below, or a larger version here.  It’s just east of Chilliwack but getting to the trail head is no easy feat.  It’s a one hour drive from Chiliwack following Chilliwack Lake Rd to Foley Creek Forest Service Rd.  From there you take Chipmunk Creek Forest Service Rd where you will need a four wheel drive vehicle with reasonable ground clearance.  I don’t recommend anything less as you are liable to get stuck, break your vehicle, or both.

You can download my GPX or KML files for use in your own GPS trackers or mapping tools.

Here is the hike profile.

As you are driving up the final stretch of the road, you already start to get rewarded with stunning views of the area.

 

Though we had a relatively early start to the day, there were already quite a few cars in the parking area at the top.

 

The hike starts off with a well marked trail and gradual rise.

 

As you continue to gain elevation, you catch sight of a peak in the distance.  I initially thought this was Cheam but it turns out this is a different peak called Lady Peak.  There is a trail to that peak as well and it shares the initial part of the route with Cheam.  I’ll have to come back to bag that one another day :)

 

Since much of the elevation gain was on the drive up to the trail head, you are very quickly walking through the upper alpine area. Views are just stunning (click for bigger).

At about the half way mark of the hike, there is a slight detour that will take you to a nice view to the northeast and a look at Jones Lake.

 

The final stretch is well above the trees, exposed, and when we went quite hot.

Looking back from the rise to the summit.

 

The final stretch to the summit of Cheam, panoramic views in all directions.

Views from the summit (click for bigger).

 

Views from the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shots from the way down, just a stellar day for a walk in the mountains.

 

I’m testing the app Relive which will draw the hike on a 3D map and add photos.  It’s fun and the result is shown below.

Relive ‘Cheam Peak’

You can view some of my other hiking related posts at these links:

• Hike to Saint Marks Summit
• Hiking the Binkert Trail To The Lions
• Lynn Valley Hike – North Vancouver
• Hiking Stawamus Chief South Peak – Squamish, BC