Hiking Decker Mountain near Whistler
Contents
Decker Mountain Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 13Km
Elevation Gain: 926m
Highest Elevation: 2,421m
Average Gradient: 14.24%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / Moderate
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: None
Decker Mountain 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
Decker Mountain Overview
Decker Mountain is one of a number of summits accessible from the top of the Blackcomb Gondola in Whistler. While this hike begins at the top of the gondola, reducing the difficulty significantly, ambitious hikers can feasibly hike up the Ascent trail from the base of the gondola instead, adding a full 5.5km and 1,200m elevation gain to the stats noted above (assuming you still take the gondola down, which is free).
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, 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.
Decker Mountain is likely the most approachable summit from the top of the gondola, with Blackcomb Peak and the Spearhead a little more involved and scrambly. The majority of the hike to Decker follows an established network of trails setup by the Whistler Blackcomb Resort, before departing from any trails and self-navigating up the tame ridge of Decker Mountain to the summit. The views from the ridge and the summit are very nice, with a number of peaks, glaciers and lakes on full display.
The season for hiking Decker Mountain 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. Once winter arrives and the resort begins preparation for ski season this peak is 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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Is Decker Mountain worthwhile?
The Blackcomb Gondola is not cheap for those without a seasons pass, which probably goes a long way to explaining why the peaks in the area aren’t that commonly hiked.
Fortunately the views from Decker Mountain, and for most of the hike, are quite rewarding. While not as stunning as the views from the Spearhead, Decker Mountain is more approachable, passing through much simpler terrain and avoiding any scrambling whatsoever. You’ll get to see plenty of the nearby iconic summits like Castle Towers, Overlord Mountain, the Spearhead, Wedge Mountain, Fissile Peak and many more, as well as a duo of glacier lakes in Decker Lake and Circle Lake. There are also plenty of glaciers to see in the region.
Overall Decker Mountain is a rewarding objective, though whether it’s enough to justify the gondola cost is personal preference. Hiking up the Ascent Trail and avoiding this cost is not insurmountable, but it will mean a 2,100m elevation gain day.
How difficult is the hike to Decker Mountain?
Stats wise this hike is quite straightforward at just 13km and 926m 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 final climb up the Decker ridge.
Technically this hike isn’t too bad either. The whole hike to Decker Tarn follows groomed trails, before departing the trail and hiking up Decker Ridge. There are sporadic markers throughout the ridge climb, but it’s really a “make your own path” to the top, with a mixture of heather and boulders. The final section is mostly talus, but at no point should you really be scrambling, nor is there any exposure.
Decker Mountain 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. Here is an optional detour you can take to Blackcomb Lake, via the Lakeside Loop. The detour will take you to a small lake at the base of Blackcomb Peak, and continuing along the loop will return you to the Overlord Trail.
Back on the Overlord Trail, shortly ahead you will reach another optional detour, the Decker Loop. This adds a decent amount of elevation gain to the stats above, and provides some nice views of Decker Mountain itself as you zigzag through some rugged terrain. Ultimately the end of the Decker Loop is at Decker Tarn, where you will also end up if you simply continue along the Overlord Trail.
From Decker Tarn you will clearly see your objective, a long ridge leading to the summit of Decker Mountain. You’ll now need to depart the groomed trail and start working your way towards Decker’s southwest ridge. There is a loosely marked route onto the ridge, but really you can just pick your own path over a boulder field to gain the ridge. If you do find some markers (spray painted cairns) I’d suggest following them, but if not it’s quite straightforward anyway.
Once on the Decker ridge the general direction is quite obvious, though you may be navigating yourself now. Some people prefer a more direct line that predominantly sticks to boulders, while if you traverse a little further out you will have plenty of heather to climb up too.
Over the next 2km you will ascend around 500m, for an average gradient of 25%. Steep, but nothing too crazy. The last 500m of the climb changes from heather/boulder to more of a talus slope, with some loose rocks underfoot. Still, it’s simple stuff with no real scrambling or exposure of any kind. The views from the ridge, particularly of Overlord Mountain, Tremor Mountain, Fissile Peak and the numerous glaciers within, will be exceptional.
Once you reach the summit the views will open up in all directions, with the colorful Decker and Circle Lakes down below, with Decker Glacier feeding into them. You’ll also have views of Blackcomb Peak, the Spearhead, Phalanx Mountain, Wedge Mountain and much more to go along with the peaks noted above. THe summit of Decker is broad so you may need to walk around to take in all the views.
After you’ve finished up at the summit you simply return to the gondola the same way you came. The hike back is a little bit tedious as it undulates so much, with a lot more ups and downs than you might have remembered on the hike in.
When should I hike Decker Mountain?
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 at higher elevations. 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 Blackcomb Peak and the Spearhead for fast and adventurous parties, 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. Decker Tarn and the creeks leading into/out of it will be your best bet.
