A classic Western elk hunting experience involves a "pack-in" hunt where an outfitter brings hunters (and supplies) into a wilderness camp via horseback. The Front refers to the region where plains and foothills abruptly end at the veritable wall of the Rocky Mountains. I’m sure in the summer it is quite evident but in the winter it wasn’t easy to tell with snow covering the whole summit area.įrom the summit the views will now be primarily to the south with excellent views of Slesse Mountain, the Border Peaks, Mount MacFarlane, Mount Baker and the Fraser River.Central Montana is also home to another of the state's iconic elk hunting destinations, the Rocky Mountain Front. You might be confused as to where the summit actually is as it’s not very obvious, I was lucky as there was someone there to ask. Shortly after the lookout you’ll ascend some steep stairs before the gradient will ease off significantly and the final couple of hundred meters will be a nice stroll on the ridge. The views continue to improve as well, particularly over the Fraser River Valley. As you continue to climb up the gradient gets steeper and steeper but again, never so steep you need to use your hands. In the winter it’s difficult to traverse this ridge so be careful with your footing.Īfter taking some photos on this lookout you are pretty near the top now, just 500m or so ahead and not too much elevation. Around 100m later you will reach a breathtaking ridge which you can detour off for some amazing photos over the Fraser Valley and Chilliwack. Still, the trail is easy to navigate and well marked with orange markers throughout.Īfter around 3.3km you will finally break out of the forest and the views will begin opening up over the Fraser Valley. The trail here will also be rootier and less maintained, or, if in the winter you’ll now likely be hitting deeper snow. This is just the calm before the storm though as the final 1.5km is a real grind.įrom the 2.5km mark the trail will become far steeper, covering a few switchbacks as you continue through the forest on a ridgeline. In the summer though, kick on.įrom around the 2km mark the gradient will ease off for around 500m, staying at a mellow grade throughout. If the trail is well packed and icy make sure to put on your microspikes shortly after you hit the ice as the trail will only get steeper and more slippery. If you are hiking in the winter like me you might hit the snowline around here. The grade will now climb further, reaching around 20% for the next 500m. At around the 1.5km mark you will start to get views to the left of the Fraser Valley, but these are largely obstructed by trees so don’t bother stopping, the views are much better further up. You’ll cross a stream and then descend slightly before beginning to climb again. The trail is wide and well maintained, so if you intend to go fast it’s very easy to do.Īs you progress into the forest the gradient climbs slightly before leveling out after around 1km. From the parking lot the trail starts at the east end, quickly winding up into the forest before passing a washroom. This hike begins at the trailhead just off of the Chilliwack Bench Forest Service Road and is accessible to all vehicles. The trail network is so expansive up here it is technically even possible to continue trekking all the way to Cheam Peak, though you would require some excellent route finding skills and probable bushwhacking to do so. Thanks to its fairly low elevation summit and popularity, Elk Mountain is a year round trail with many people summiting in the winter, though microspikes are necessary for this due to the steep gradient and icy conditions.įrom Elk Mountain, hikers are able to continue along the ridge to further summits, namely Mount Thurston & Mount Mercer, though far fewer go as far as the latter. Views from Elk Mountain include the Chilliwack River Valley, Slesse Peak, Mount Baker, Mount McGuire, the Border Peaks and the Fraser River.ĭue to its relative ease, easy accessibility, quick turnaround and fantastic views, Elk Mountain is a very popular trail, particularly in the summer when the alpine flowers can be seen along the ridge line. You also actually get nice views on Elk Mountain, unlike the Grouse Grind. This is the first summit along the Elk – Thurston – Mercer ridge and it’s one of the most popular hikes in the Fraser Valley.Īt 8km and 750m elevation gain it has been described as the Fraser Valley’s Grouse Grind, though it has less elevation gained over a longer distance and a more manicured trail. Elk Mountain is a summit located in Chilliwack, forming a part of the Cascade mountain range.
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