June 20/05 Hiking the Chief !
Ryan and I both had the day off and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to hike up the Chief. The Chief is the 2000 foot high granit monolith just south of Squamish. The hiking trail up the back is steep and rugged.
The trail head starts at the end of an easy 5 minute strole from the parking lot. The first few steps are up a rock outcrop. If you can't do this climb, stay out.
A lung pumping leg burning 5 minute climb up stones and steps brings you to the bridge over Olsen Creek. Following the trail on the other side would take you to Shannon Falls, several clicks south.
Sections of the lower climb have rough steps that are harder to climb than the rocks.
Ryan is looking 'down' Olsen Creek as it tumbles out of site.
The trail climbs up and up. I needed many rest stops to avoid exhaustion.
As you climb higher, the trail leaves the creek area and increases in steepness and roughness.
There are several sections with metal ladders bolted to the rock to help hikers up some of the hard spots.
