Approximately 130 KM (81 miles) from Vancouver, British Columbia. Elk Mountain: Hiking time round trip around 4 hrs. Round trip: roughly 8 KM (5.0 miles), elevation gain-800 Meters (2616 feet). Mt Thurston: Hiking time round trip around 7.5 hrs. Round trip: roughly 15 KM (9.3 miles), elevation gain-1030 Meters (3368 feet). Best time is usually July to October. Trail starts in a forest but once on the trail between Elk Mountain and Mount Thurston there are great views.
Directions: Driving east from Vancouver on highway 1 turn south onto Exit 123 (Prest Road) which is a short distance past Chilliwack. Drive south on Prest Road roughly 4 KM (2.5 miles) and turn left onto Bailey Road. A short distance down Bailey Road there is a fork. Take the right fork which is Elk View Road. Drive approximately 10 KM (6.2 miles) on Elk View Road which gains considerable altitude. This road eventually becomes gravel and changes to Chilliwack Bench Service road. Once on Chilliwack Bench road drive about 0.5 KM (0.3 miles) and watch for a small gravel pit on the left. Park in the small gravel pit. The trail starts on the edge of the pit that is furthest down Chilliwack Bench Service Road.
GPS Data: Right click on link to bring up menu to download (save) file.
Elk Mountain and Mount Thurston 2006/10 |
Elk Mountain and Mount Thurston 2004/07 |
Elk Mountain and Mount Thurston 2003/08 |