Hiking Blackcomb Peak & The Spearhead near Whistler
Contents
Blackcomb Peak & The Spearhead Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10.90Km
Elevation Gain: 814m
Highest Elevation: 2,457m
Average Gradient: 14.94%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 6 – 7 Hours
– Moderate: 5 – 6 Hours
– Fast: 4 – 5 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: No
Season: Summer
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: Simple Class 2 unexposed scramble to summit Blackcomb
Blackcomb Peak & The Spearhead Trail
Note: The below coordinates lead to the base of the Blackcomb Gondola, the hike starts at the top of it. Park anywhere in Whistler and walk over to the gondola to begin.
Trailhead Coordinates: 50°06’55.7″N 122°56’51.7″W
Blackcomb Peak & The Spearhead Overview
More synonymous with backcountry skiing than hiking, Blackcomb Peak and the Spearhead are a duo of peaks nestled in the heart of the Whistler backcountry on the fringes of Garibaldi Provincial Park. In the winter both of these peaks, and the vast backcountry beyond, are a haven to some of the finest backcountry skiing in the world.
The Spearhead Traverse, named after the mountain featured here, is a world class 35km ski traverse linking a series of summits, glaciers and mountain passes in the region, all of which you will get to see on this hike.
As much as the Whistler backcountry is a popular winter destination, it’s quiet and remote in the summer. While the Blackcomb Gondola assists hikers most of the way up the mountain (you can hike up if you want), the trail network at the top is simple and doesn’t climb up any summits. The views from the trails are nice, generally attracting tourists and families looking for maximum views for minimum effort, but to get up the nearby peaks requires some self-navigation through backcountry terrain.
There are a number of ways to ascend Blackcomb Peak, whether via the Broken Towers scramble from the Horstman Hut (some exposure), the Blackcomb Buttress alpine climb, or the route described here, a simple boulder hike with no exposure and Class 2 scrambling. From Blackcomb Peak the Spearhead is only 1km away following a ridge between the two that looks a little daunting but is quite straightforward.
The route and stats for this hike assume you have taken the Blackcomb Gondola to the Rendezvous Lodge. Should you choose to hike up to this point instead (following the Ascent Trail), you can add another 5.5km and 1,200m elevation gain. Most people choose to take the gondola up if they are intending to also summit some peaks in the area to make the day a little easier, though hiking up will save on the gondola cost (which isn’t cheap).
The season for hiking Blackcomb Peak and the Spearhead is likely mid-July to mid-October, or whenever the gondola stops operating for the year. Any earlier in the year will likely encounter a good amount of snow and will require an ice axe and crampons in all likelihood. Once winter arrives and the resort begins preparation for ski season these peaks are likely out of reach until the next year.
Parking for this hike is anywhere in Whistler Village, dogs are not permitted on the gondola.
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Are Blackcomb Peak & The Spearhead worthwhile?
Blackcomb Peak and the Spearhead are likely summits you have heard of a lot thanks to their skiing association. You don’t hear a whole lot about them in the hiking world though, with countless other destinations taking center stage in the summer.
Well, a lot of people are missing out, as the views from both of these peaks are outstanding in the summer, with glaciers as far as the eye can see, and a duo of stunning alpine lakes in Decker Lake and Circle Lake (which you can readily access should you desire). For such a modest hike of 10.90km these views are hard to beat, with the only (major) drawback being the exorbitantly expensive Blackcomb Gondola to get up there. Stubborn parties may choose to hike up instead, but that will mean a very demanding day.
How difficult is the hike to Blackcomb Peak & The Spearhead?
Stats wise this hike is quite straightforward at just 10.90km and 814m elevation gain. By summer hiking standards this would be a pretty moderate hike that isn’t particularly demanding physically, though certainly it has some steep parts, notably the boulder field.
Technically this hike has some difficulties thanks to the self-navigation through some backcountry terrain. After following a groomed trail to Blackcomb Lake you’ll depart any semblance of trail or guidance and have to navigate on your own up a boulder field to a col between Blackcomb Peak and Disease Ridge. This is steep and will require some use of hands. From the col you’ll have a steep class 2 scramble up the northeastern slopes of Blackcomb Peak, with little to no exposure on the way. To reach the Spearhead you’ll simply descend back down from Blackcomb Peak and continue in the other direction along the ridge, which requires some route-finding around the jagged ridge. The route is mostly just hiking across some ledges below the ridge before a simple walk up the summit.
Blackcomb Peak & The Spearhead Route Information
Whether you take the Blackcomb Gondola up to the start point or you hike the Ascent Trail up (from the base of the gondola), this hike begins from the Rendezvous Lodge. The hiking trails should be well signposted from the lodge as they all start on the same trail, the Alpine Walk. The views are immediately rewarding as you’re starting well into the alpine at almost 1,900m elevation. After following this simple trail for around 1km you’ll reach a junction where you’ll want to continue on the Overlord Trail.
The next kilometer or so will be mostly downhill (note: this is an annoying uphill on the return leg) before reaching another junction where you’ll want to turn left onto the Lakeside Loop. The trail continues undulating and after a little less than a kilometer you’ll find yourself at Blackcomb Lake, with the imposing Blackcomb Peak standing tall behind. You should note another high point climbers right of Blackcomb Peak known as Disease Ridge. Your general route is now to follow the boulder field that leads between Blackcomb Peak and Disease Ridge.
There are no markers or even cairns along this boulder field as it’s not commonly hiked, so a map is a must. The boulder field starts off benign but in short order you’ll begin climbing quite steeply. Thankfully the boulders are mostly quite stable, though of course take care with each step. Over the next kilometer you’ll climb around 300m on this boulder field, which at times might be steep enough to require the use of hands, mostly just for stabilization around some of the larger boulders. There is no exposure at any point.
Soon enough you’ll reach the crest between Blackcomb Peak and Disease Ridge, where you will also get your first views of the stunning Circle Lake and Decker Lake. The hike will now continue on boulder to gain the Blackcomb/Spearhead ridge, which will be to your left as you look towards the lakes. While again steep, the terrain up to the ridge is similar to what you just ascended, only now the boulders are a bit smaller and a little looser. The climb up to the ridge will be another 150m elevation or so.
From the Blackcomb/Spearhead col you’ll first want to climb Blackcomb Peak. It’s only around 60m up a boulder scramble, which is class 2 with little to no exposure. It’s mostly a “pick your own path” up this section, with multiple options all working. The summit of Blackcomb Peak is quite broad, offering some excellent views of countless peaks, namely the Spearhead, Decker Mountain, Wedge Mountain, Mount Weart, Mount Cook, Phalanx Mountain, Overlord Mountain, Fissile Peak, Castle Towers, the Black Tusk, Whistler Mountain, Tremor Mountain, Mount Pattison and a lot more. You’ll also have a clear sightline of the ridge to the Spearhead, which may look a little intimidating but is quite straightforward.
To reach the Spearhead you’ll drop back down to the Blackcomb/Spearhead col and now continue along the ridge. There are two jagged bumps along this ridge but thankfully they are easily bypassed. At the first bump you’ll want to keep to the right, following a fairly well worn trail that follows a series of ledges below the ridge itself. Soon enough you’ll reach a flat spot just before the second jagged point along the ridge. This time you’ll want to keep left of the cliffs, remaining low and avoiding any temptation to scramble along the cliffs themselves. If you want some adventure you can do this by all means, but the easiest way is to just hike across a series of ledges below the scrambling. Again it’s simple and unexposed. In no time you’ll reach the climb up to the Spearhead, which is brief.
The views from the Spearhead are of similar peaks, only this time you get outstanding views of the enormous Spearhead Glacier down below. Combined with the lakes and all the other glaciated peaks in the region the views from here are really stunning.
After resting up you simply head back along the Blackcomb/Spearhead col to the point where you drop back down the boulder field towards the Blackcomb/Disease Ridge col. If you are tempted you can choose to drop down to Circle Lake, which is only around 150m below the Blackcomb/Disease col and won’t add a whole lot to your day. Once you’re finished you simply hike down the boulder field you climbed up and return to the gondola via the same trails you approached from.
When should I hike Blackcomb Peak & The Spearhead?
The peak season for this hike is likely mid-July to mid-October. Slightly earlier might work as well, though the lakes probably won’t be thawed and there will likely be snow along the trail. Once the gondola ceases operations, usually in early October, access won’t be easy.
Top Tip
This hike relies on the gondola, so completing it within gondola hours is a must, otherwise you will be left to hike down the Ascent Trail to return to Whistler Village. Make sure to check gondola hours and I strongly advise ensuring you are on the first gondola up to give yourself the most time to complete the hike. Most parties should be fine as the hike isn’t the longest.
It’s possible to add a third peak to the day for fast and adventurous parties. Decker Mountain is also nearby and can be added, though this makes for a relentlessly quick day with no time for resting, again thanks to the gondola hours.
There isn’t much water along this hike, especially later in the summer. Blackcomb Lake may provide some but how drinkable it is I am not sure. I’d suggest bringing enough for the whole day just in case. Given the length of the hike it shouldn’t be too much.
