We leave for our seven day hiking trip in Whistler next week. Can anyone suggest good trails? We are fit, middle aged and willing to hike up to 5-6 hours per day.
Thanks!

Hi CMC, I believe we chatted previously about the Singing Pass trail. I went up the gondola the other day but the pass is still snow bound. It should be clear by the time you get here. It is a relatively easy hike, but it is around a 6 to 8 hour hike. The rainbow glacier trail is abour 6 hours return, and Wedgemont is about the same, I believe.
The tourism office has hiking maps, and can give you directions as well. Cheers, Al

Just got back from Whistler and we were a bit disappointed that at the top of the gondola many trails were "closed". However, one of the guys in charge said "Well, they aren't going to arrest you if you go ahead and hike one!" So we did a hike to Whistler Peak...beautiful! Then the next day we did a "closed" trail around Harmony Lake. It was great and pretty well marked! Have a wonderful time!

Gogoellen did you ever find out why the trails were closed? Bears perhaps? Or other wildlife conflicts.

Thanks for the information. I note that several other posters list problems with road closures between Vancouver and Whistler. Since we will be arriving...probably without having eaten, is there a good restaurant on the way?
Whistler Al, you are great. Thanks so much for all your help.
Cheers from North Carolina!

The trails were closed because of snow!
We were told there were several bears that lived right around there but I had my "bear bell" in my pack and we never saw one! I would like to have seen one.....through the zoom lens of my camera only!!
Also, you can find out exactly when they will close the road. There are windows of time when you can drive right through...you just have to check it out ahead of time!

GOGOELLEN, how do we find out the close times for the road?
Thanks

cmcfong, take a look at http://www.mywhistler.com/getting_he...d/highways.asp for up-to-date Sea To Sky Highway closures.
Cheers,
L

Thanks, Linda. Very helpful.
Do you recommend the Howe Sound Inn for a lunch stop? I understand it is a brewery pub about half way to Whistler. Given our arrival time and the fact that we are East Coasters we are likely to want some lunch or an early dinner en route. I also looked at stopping in Stanley Park at the Teahouse. Any suggestions?

Cmc, I'm wracking my brains for restaurant names, and coming up blank - we need WhistlerAl again.

I think the Howe Sound Inn is a brew pub in Squamish, which is a good stop if you're caught between West Vancouver and Whistler waiting for the highway to open.

Lots of great lunch restaurants in West Vanc, including the Beach House At Dundarave Pier, Pier at 25th and Marine, (604) 922-1414. Wonderful location (reserve a table on the deck), excellent food and easy to get to.

If you're on the Vancouver side of Lions Gate Bridge, the Teahouse is a perennial favourite. I haven't been in years but it again has a great location and used to have good food. The only negative thing about the Teahouse is that you are half-way round the one-way Stanley Park road, and will have to complete the circuit and access Georgia Street to get onto the bridge.

I'd personally nix the Teahouse if you're planning on immediately driving to Whistler after eating, and instead have lunch/dinner at either Cardero's, a waterfront restaurant at Coal Harbour Marina, and just before Stanley Park Bridge OR visit the Westin Bayshore Hotel, a stone's throw away. They have a great patio and view, and decent food.

Some thoughts... enjoy Whistler!

L

I agree with linda. I would skip the Teahouse, and hit West van for lunch. We really like Carmello's, a little Italian place right on Marine Drive. from there you can go right up 15th to the upper levels highway to get to Whistler. From West Vancouver , you are about one and a quarter hours to the construction zone, so you can time your arrival to coincide with road closures. There are no closures on weekends either. If you want to eat in Squamish, then The Shady Tree Pub or Howe Sound Inn are both good choices. Howe Sound is right in Squamish at the far end of main street. The Shady Tree is on the highway past downtown Squamish. turn left at the lights at the Husky station. The trails should all be open by the time you get here, as the hot weather is melting the snow pack rapidly. Cheers, Al

Thanks, Linda and Al. You guys have been great helping me plan this trip. I will post a report on our return.
Cheers!

I second that cmc!! Maybe we'll catch you at the Shady Tree Pub - we'll be travelling on Wednesday and back to Vancouver on Sunday. I emailed the highway information site and they actually emailed me back right away! You've got to love Canadians!!! We can't wait!

You won't be able to miss us, Nibos. We will be eight rowdy old people having the time of our lives...