Williams Ridge Hike, Chilliwack BC

Distance: 11.0 km (return)

Time: 8 Hours + 3 to 4 hrs to climb to the peak

Elevation Gain: 1435 m approx. 4700 feet + 720 m or 2360 ft to the peak

Difficulty: Strenuous (i.e. think of the Grouse Grind as Williams Ridge's little brother. If you have strong knees and even stronger lungs, take this trail.

Hint: The steep descent was more difficult than the climb up, put a lot of strain on the knees making it down. There are two good water sources along the way, but we have to share with the wildlife drinking at these pools.

Description: This trail goes north into the forest along a logging road to the base of the mountain. From here the trail climbs steeply towards the ridge zigzagging persistently with few opportunities to catch your breath. You will gain 3000 ft in the first 2/3 of the trail. The trail is marked with orange markers and ascends straight up. There is one brief viewpoint shortly before the intersection with the trail from Ford Mountain. After levelling out the trail continues through mostly forest though occasional views of mountains, valleys and glaciers greet hikers on clear days. When the trail leaves the trees Williams Peak is revealed as the prominent geological form that draws hikers on. Onward toward the peak the main marked trail comes to an end on a rocky knoll. The views are beautiful and before long you'll leave the last of the trees behind you and break out on to the open ridge with Williams Peak right in front of you. Welch, Foley & Goetz are to the north, and Slesse, Rexford, Webb, Macdonald, Lindeman, Paleface, Meronuik & Edgar are to the south. The trail to the top of Williams Peak is unmarked but accessible. Some hand hold scrambling is required to reach the top and the views that few others have shared.

How to get there: From Sardis, proceed south along Vedder Rd. through Vedder Crossing to a three-way stop at the Chilliwack/Vedder River. Turn left at this intersection and follow the road for 34 km’s. At about 33.5 km’s is the moth-balled Centre Creek Youth Detention Centre on the right. The trail head is .5 km’s past that on the left off a short logging road.

See event description on calendar page for pre-departure meeting place for when the club is doing this hike next.

---

Hiker Comments

Submit your comments about this hike