10 Things to Know Before Hiking the Stawamus Chief

The Stawamus Chief rises out of Squamish like it owns the place — because it does. At 702 metres of sheer granite, the Chief is the second-largest granite monolith in the world, the spiritual anchor of the Sea to Sky corridor, and the single best hike you can do within two hours of Vancouver.

It's also the hike that sends more underprepared people back to their cars than any other trail in the region. We've seen it every weekend — flip flops, no water, no idea there were three separate summits. This guide is the one a local would give you before you leave the parking lot.

1. There Are Three Peaks — You Don't Have to Do All of Them

This is the number one thing people get wrong. The Chief has three distinct summits: First Peak (the lowest and easiest), Second Peak (the most popular, with the best balanced views), and Third Peak (the highest at 702 m and the most technical, with exposed scrambling). Most Squamish locals will tell you Second Peak is the sweet spot — incredible 360° views of Howe Sound and the Tantalus Range without the full exposure of Third.

If it's your first time, pick one. You can always come back for the others. The trail splits after the initial climb, so make your call before you start, not halfway up when your knees are already questioning your life choices.

2. The Parking Situation Is Real

The Stawamus Chief Provincial Park lot fills up fast — we're talking 8am on a sunny Saturday fast. If you arrive after 9am on a summer weekend, you're probably driving up and down Highway 99 looking for shoulder parking. Your best options: arrive before 7:30am, park at the nearby Sea to Sky Gondola overflow lot and walk over, or go mid-week when the lot is a non-issue. There's a day-use fee payable by the BC Parks reservation system — have it sorted before you leave home.

3. The Chains Are the Real Test

The trail starts steep and stays that way through old-growth forest. It's a good climb. But nothing prepares first-timers for the chains. Near the top of each peak, permanent iron chains are bolted into the rock face — you grab them and pull yourself up exposed granite slabs. It's not technical climbing, but it requires both hands, decent footwear with grip, and the ability to stay calm on an exposed face above a long drop.

This is the moment where cotton hoodies tied around waists become a problem. Keep your hands free before you hit the chains. And if heights are a genuine issue for you, be honest with yourself before you commit — turning around at the chains with a group behind you is not a fun experience for anyone.

4. Your Shoes Matter More Than You Think

We've watched people attempt this in Crocs, Birkenstocks, and what can only be described as fashion sneakers. The granite is smooth and steep, especially near the summit slabs. You want hiking boots or trail runners with actual grip. If you're not sure what you're working with, swing into Valhalla Pure or Climb Base Camp in Squamish before you hit the trailhead — both have knowledgeable staff who will put you in the right footwear without overselling you.

5. Two Litres of Water Is the Minimum

There is no water on the trail. None. The creek you cross near the bottom is not somewhere you want to be filling your bottle without a filter. On a warm summer day with the sun hitting those granite slabs at the top, two litres will feel like barely enough. Bring more than you think you need, and bring snacks — the summit of the Chief is one of the best lunch spots in the Sea to Sky corridor.

6. Check the Weather Before You Go — Then Check It Again

Squamish weather moves fast. The Chief can be baking hot at the trailhead and socked in with cloud and rain by the time you're on the summit slabs. The granite becomes genuinely dangerous when wet — those smooth faces that feel grippy in dry conditions turn slick in a hurry. If there's rain in the forecast, save it for another day. The hike will be there. A slip on wet granite above exposure will not end well.

Check Environment Canada's Squamish forecast the morning of and look at the Howe Sound wind reports if you're planning for Third Peak, which is exposed in ways that can catch you off guard.

7. Go Early to Beat the Crowds and the Heat

On a July or August weekend, the Chief trail can feel like a highway. The chains sections create natural bottlenecks where you end up queuing behind groups who are less comfortable with exposure. Start before 8am and you'll have the forest section nearly to yourself, catch the best light on the granite, and be back at the car before the midday heat turns the slabs into a frying pan. Locals almost universally hike the Chief on weekday mornings — there's a reason for that.

8. Bears Are Around — Act Accordingly

The Stawamus Chief sits in bear country. Black bears are regularly spotted in the provincial park and along the lower forested sections of the trail. Make noise while you hike, especially through thick brush. Carry bear spray if you have it, know how to use it, and keep it accessible — not buried at the bottom of your pack. Do not leave food in your car at the trailhead; break-ins happen more than the park signs let on. Squamish is a place where wildlife coexists with outdoor recreation and it works well when people take it seriously.

9. Shannon Falls Is Right Next Door — Don't Skip It

The Shannon Falls trailhead is within easy walking distance of the Chief parking area, and the falls themselves are the third-highest in BC at 335 metres. It's a flat, 10-minute walk to the viewpoint and a genuinely spectacular sight. Do it before your hike while your legs are fresh, or after as a cool-down. Either way, driving past Shannon Falls to hike the Chief and not stopping is a mistake we see tourists make regularly. Locals combine them every time.

10. The Post-Hike Debrief Is Non-Negotiable

The Chief earns a proper recovery. Squamish has exactly the right options for post-hike rehabilitation. Fergie's Cafe in downtown Squamish does legendary eggs Benedict and coffee that will put the legs back under you. If it's afternoon, Howe Sound Brewing has a mountain-view patio and a rotating tap list that's been fuelling post-Chief celebrations since 1996. Backcountry Brewing is the other local anchor — smaller, noisier, and extremely good.

The Chief will work for your meal. Let the meal do its job.

Plan Your Chief Hike

The Stawamus Chief Provincial Park is located just off Highway 99, about 1 km south of downtown Squamish. Browse our full guide to hiking in Squamish, find the best restaurants in Squamish for your post-hike recovery, or explore our complete Squamish activities guide to build out a full weekend in the corridor.