Mount St- Mark, by David

A review of this hike will be posted soon.

Ford Mountain, by David

This was our first trip to Chilliwack. Since we had never been there and the description in the guide seemed so nice, we didn't really mind the two-hour drive to reach the Cascades. It really is impressive how everything is flat until you reach Chilliwack and then blam! you're surrounded by mountains.

Directions:
Ford Moutain is fairly easy to find and the drive isn't bad either. Once in Chilliwack, follow the signs towards Chilliwack Lack Provincial Park. At the bridge, take a turn left on Chilliwack Lake road, and follow Chilliwack river. After about 28km, you'll notice a sign for Ford Mountain Forest Service road, it is the first left once you pass the prison. What a location for a prison! The road that follows Chilliwack river is mostly flat, but there's mountains on both sides which make for a great drive. Drive up the logging road, if you have a good 4x4 you should make it until you reach a gate, you can either park there or take the left turn and drive up for a bit until you reach the trail head and save a 15 minute walk on the road.

The trail starts steep but constant, with a few switchbacks through the trees. The environment is very different from the wet west coast: the soil was dry and mostly plant-less, and the trees weren't as massive. After a little while you start seeing the snowy mountain peaks through the trees. We hiked through the bushes a few times to get a better look, but the more you gain altitude, the less dense the forest gets and the better Kodak opportunities get.

After about half an hour the trail becomes more flat, and the view becomes spectacular. We stopped several time for pictures and just to sit there and stare at the mountains.


Magalie, David and the North Cascades

Some short sections still had a bit of snow, but the weather was so great that shorts and a t-shirt were still appropriate attire. We hiked for another half hour until we reached the top where a observation station used to stand. All that is left now are its cement foundations, but at that spot, you really feel like you are at the heart of the Cascades since you are surrounded by mountains and amazing views. We followed the trail a bit further as it kept going on, but it didn't look like it was going any higher, and it might actually take you back down the mountain on the other side. We found a nice spot to eat our lunch while enjoying the view, and then slowly proceeded to hike back down to our truck.


Standing on the cement foundations at the top of Ford Mountain

We only saw one group of hikers, who were exiting the trail as we were beginning. There are so many mountains surrounding Chilliwack, the list of hikes to chose from is not limited. If you happen to be in that region, or if you don't mind the drive from Vancouver, do check out Ford Mountain. We had an awesome trip so we will most likely return this summer to explore another corner of the North Cascades, so expect another review from that region soon...

Ford Mountain, by Magalie

Hike #69 in Best Hikes and Walks of Southwestern British Columbia, by Dawn Hanna

Ford Mountain is located in Chilliwack, which is about 2 hours away from downtown Vancouver. The length of this hike really depends on your car's ability. Having a 4x4, our hike lasted 3 hours and was about 5 km long. The logging road up though is long, so it is best to try to drive as far up as possible.

We started this hike at a reasonable hour, unlike last time. When we arrived in Chilliwak, we were stunned to find that it is such a beautiful place! I never thought that Chilliwack was so stunning, with amazing mountain ranges and beautiful blue rivers. We were expecting farmland and god knows what... But once there we felt like we had found a jewel.

Getting to Ford Mountain's trailhead was easy since the instructions in this book were right on the money. She should have noted though that the logging road splits at a yellow gate: do not cross that gate but turn left instead and keep driving up. We were not sure which way was the right way and so we parked the car there and hiked to the trailhead. Driving would have saved us a good 15 minutes.

As well, the hike description was very accurate. The hike has two different "sections", the first being a pretty steep one and the second being much easier. The trail is very well maintained and the footing is easy. No loose rock, slippery leafs or mud. As well, there are numerous places where you can step away from the trail to admire amazing views of the North Cascades.


North Cascades.

I will not go into great details with the hike's up and down as it generally went really well and was just as described in the book. Perhaps it went so well because I was wearing my new hiking shoes! This hike was a good cardio workout (ie, the first section) but the views were so worth it that it made you forget about any rough patches. There is nothing else to say aside from than that this short hike is absolutely fantastic. As well, there are plenty of wonderful spots at the mountain top for a picnic and we had the mountain all to ourselves.


Eating lunch looking at the North Cascades and Chilliwack Lake.

I would do this hike again in a heartbeat. Although it is quite a long drive from Vancouver, it is really worth it. There are many hikes in this valley, and we will have to keep coming back for more.

Having to do it again, I'd plan for a leisurely lunch at the top. As well, I'd bring some mosquito repellentlant, because they seemed to jump on us every time we stopped to enjoy the view.