Whistler Staycation…….July 4th – 7th, 2021

July 4, 2021

After our recent record-breaking hot spell, we figured it was time to seek out some cooler mountain air. This was an easy trip: arrange accommodations, get our gear together, and head for the hills. The weather forecast was terrific and the plan was to do some hiking and relaxing. Reserving a ferry proved a tad difficult so we elected to take the first ferry of the day….this required a 04:30 rise and shine start to the day to make the 06:20 sailing. All good but being tired from the get-go is not a great recipe….actually snoozed en route in Porteau Cove for 45 minutes.  As we approached Whistler, a cinnamon-colored black bear was strolling down the highway, not in the least disturbed by the dozens of cars cruising by. In any event, did a bit of a walkabout in the Village, got our tickets for the Peak to Peak Gondola, lucked out with an early check-in at the condo, and took it easy for the rest of the day. Supper was Chez Nous as Annie had pre-cooked a beef stroganoff and with a salad and a bottle of wine, it was a relaxing end to the day.

July 5, 2021

The next morning the skies are largely clear with a wonderful temperature of 19C …solid breakfast eggs, back bacon >> the works and we are out the front door and on the trail to the Blackcomb Gondola. The plan is to ride the gondola to the top of Blackcomb, switch over to the Peak to Peak Gondola, and then take the Peak Chairlift to the summit of Whistler. For those who have never been on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, it is quite impressive as it crosses the valley between Blackcomb Mtn and Whistler Mtn. > 4.4 km taking 11 minutes.

We are second in line when the lifts open and on our way up we have our second bear sighting…this time a black bear happily sitting on the ski run below munching away on flowers and grass…

Unfortunately, the Peak Chair was not in operation today so we decided to hike up to the top following Pika’s Traverse Road and Mathews’ Traverse Road a 6.5 km return trip, ascending some 350 m (1150 ft).  These “trails” are actually access roads that work and supply vehicles use to get to the summit.  Due to the stunning and constant views along the route, they have become a popular hiking route over the years. It took us just under 2 hours for the return trip including the time to take in the fabulous views and take a few pics….these trails offer tremendous value for effort as you are above timberline the entire way and the mountain vistas just keep on coming…

As you ascend, there are ice walls on both sides of the road ……this is in July following a 5-day historic heat wave, so imagine what it looks like earlier in the season…click to enlarge images:

The pic below highlights the distinctive mountain in the center called Black Tusk, a  popular climbing destination>>>it is a conventional volcano that had its outer cone ripped away by glaciers about 170,000 years ago. Now all you can see is the narrow black shape which is the solidified lava from its central vent.

At the summit some cool panoramas including the giant Inukshuk from the 2010 Winter Olympics …

Part of the game plan was to go on the Cloudraker Skybridge which spans 130m from Whistler Peak to the West Ridge, crossing high above Whistler Bowl, but again we were denied as it is open only on weekends …. we were told that there are not enough visitors due to Covid. The 2nd pic below is what it looks like when open…on the flip side, there were very few people so we enjoyed a more personal experience.

Time for a quick lunch, water and some G2 (Gatorade lite) and then back to whence we came…click to enlarge images:

Got back to the condo in time to enjoy a hot tub >>> a seriously great invention for old muscles/joints etc., then some pool time, shower and an energy cocktail before heading down to the village for dinner. Pretty decent eats at the Mexican Corner and the Margaritas weren’t shabby either. Then the uphill trudge to the condo which is in the Benchlands. A beautiful day and pleasant evening …early to bed as we are done !!

 

July 6, 2021

The next morning is beautiful again as we get set for another hiking day, no gondolas today. Just past Function Junction, we drove down a forestry road for some 6 kilometres to the trailhead for the trail to Cheakamus Lake, about an 8.5 km roundtrip hike with a modest elevation gain of 150 meters. This is a lovely trail that parallels the Cheakamus River, we crossed several small streams that drain into the river which we could see through the trees, it is not an old-growth forest but still some very decent-sized trees…

Along the way we met a Chinese family, their son was extremely excited and informed us they had seen a bear at the campsite on the lake (where we planned to have our lunch), the father kept trying to shush him but he was determined to tell us his story….when I asked how big it was….he cleverly answered that if it had stood up it would have been taller than his father. We thanked him for the warning and cranked up the volume of our conversation…

Arriving at the campsite there was no bear which was ok with us, it is a great spot and the outlook on the very pretty Cheakamus Lake was worth the walk-in…the grey/colour of the water is due to the silty runoff. No flies or mosquitoes so we were able to enjoy our sandwiches and energy bars before heading back …

The walkout went well and each group we met on the walkout was eager to know if we had seen the BEARS (obviously the young lad had informed everyone to the point that it seemed there was a squadron of bears awaiting the incoming hikers !!!).

We completed the walk in a tad over 2 hours per our Strava app….this is a free app that I would highly recommend as it plots your hike/run/walk or whatever gives the distance covered, actual walking time, elevation gain/loss and other info. Felt pretty hungry after getting back to Whistler so we headed to the Splitz Grill and had some bigass burgers and some brewskies, man, that beer went down well !!

The next day was a bit cloudy as we meandered to Vancouver where we had a picnic dinner with Ella and the G-kids, a late ferry and home by 22:30 tired but a pretty great short trip!!