If Elk Mountain isn’t on your bucket list yet-it needs to be!
This 8.2 km trail rated “hard” on AllTrails brings you through varying terrain leading you the 1,432 m ascent to the top of Elk Mountain that towers over the Fraser Valley.
Start by heading up to the trail head with these directions. **Note!! There’s a toadlet migration in July. You are still able to access the trail head, but there will be signs leading you around an optional detour. It’s wise to take this detour. The road up is windy and if you do encounter thousands of toadlets crossing the road you’ll either be waiting for a long time or trying to navigate your way back down to the detour signs.
Before you find somewhere to pee in the parking lot, guess what? There’s actually an outhouse a short distance up the trail!
The first part of the trail begins off fairly easy. The intensity of this trail is gradual, which is really nice.
The terrain stays the same for a while and consistently gives some plateaued breaks. You’ll keep going until you reach the logging road. You cross here and continue on the trail almost directly ahead from where you come out on the logging road.
This is where the trail starts to pick up a bit. It gets a little more narrow and is pretty steadily inclined.
There is one point that seems like the trail continues forward, but you need to take a left. PAY ATTENTION TO TRAIL MARKERS. They indicate which way to go.
Finally, as the trail narrows you’ll come out at a viewpoint. Now, my friend and I went on a really cloudy, drizzly day so there was no view to be seen, but I know it’s there!
Keep going on the trail. The wildflowers are INCREDIBLE here. I tried to take some photos, but truly they did the flowers on Elk Mountain no justice.
There’s a part where it gets quite steep as you climb up a rock. Be mindful of your footing. It continues on steep until you reach the top!
The flag tells you you’re there!
I asked some lovely folks in the Fraser Valley hiking community if they could share some photos from their adventure to the top of Elk Mountain on a clear day. This is what the view should look like:
When you’re done taking in the breathtaking views go back down the same way you came! When you’re at the bottom congratulate yourself!
Have you done Elk Mountain before? Tag us in your Instagram photos #littleadventuresbigdreams
Have fun!
Sam
XO
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