Hiking Mount MacFarlane in the Fraser Valley
Contents
Mount MacFarlane Hike Information
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Distance: 18.5Km
Elevation Gain: 1,900m
Highest Elevation: 2,090m
Average Gradient: 20.54%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Very High / Very High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 9 – 11 Hours
– Moderate: 8 – 9 Hours
– Fast: 7 – 8 Hours
Dog Friendly?: Yes
Season: ~Mid-July – Mid-October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: Not much, a short chain section and a ridgeline walk to the summit with minimal exposure.
Mount MacFarlane Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°05’10.5″N 121°40’37.2″W
Mount MacFarlane Overview
Mount MacFarlane is a mountain located in the Cascade Mountains of Southwestern BC and is a relatively popular hike in the region. That being said, due to the significant difficulty of this hike, only the most capable of hikers tend to do this one in a day.
At 1,900m elevation gain over just 18.5km, this is one of few hikes that have an average gradient above 20%, making it one of the steepest and most strenuous hikes in the region. It’s a relentless ascent that never gives you any respite, providing a constant assault on your calves on the way up, but even more so on your knees coming down. That effort, however, is richly rewarded with staggering panoramic views from the summit of Mount MacFarlane, as well as one of the most majestic lakes you will find anywhere, the sapphire blue Upper Pierce Lake.
Backcountry camping is possible at both the Lower and Upper Pierce Lake, and is a relatively popular choice for those who want to split this arduous hike into two days. Lower Pierce Lake is the more popular choice for camping as it’s the nearest to the trailhead, but even reaching Lower Pierce Lake is a difficult affair with more than half the elevation having to be ascended before reaching it. Upper Pierce Lake is a mere 300m from the summit of Mount MacFarlane, so reaching here with camping supplies would be an achievement in itself.
Mount MacFarlane is a summer only hike due to the significant amount of steep, technical terrain to reach the summit.
Parking for Mount MacFarlane is along Chilliwack Lake Road and is relatively limited, so an early arrival (as usual) is recommended. It is, however, accessible for any vehicle, which is rare for this region. This is a pet friendly hike, assuming your pet is capable of hiking this amount of elevation.
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Is Mount MacFarlane worthwhile?
Mount MacFarlane is quite possibly one of the hardest front country hikes you can do in Southwest BC, namely due to its endless steep incline. There are longer and higher hikes, sure, but few will be as steep as this. The effort reward ratio says it all, you will be challenged to the extreme but the views are absolutely worth it at the end. Upper Pierce Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve seen and the panoramic view from the top of Mount MacFarlane is absolutely worth the insane effort it takes to get there. Mount MacFarlane is one of the best!
How difficult is the hike to Mount MacFarlane?
If it’s not obvious yet, this hike is very difficult and one of the most relentless hikes there is. There is literally no respite from the onslaught of elevation. With an elevation gain of 1,900m over just 18.5km, you’re in for a long and tiring day.
Technically this hike isn’t too difficult. There are parts where you will need to briefly use a chain and your hands, but they are few and far between. For the most part it’s just a very steep, easy to follow trail. Exposure is never too demanding and even the ridgeline walk at the end is quite comfortable.
Mount MacFarlane Route Information
As with many hikes in Southwestern BC, this hike begins with a brief and flat stroll in the woods. You might think that’s nice, but all it means is the 1,900m elevation is really going to be spread over a shorter distance. Soon you’ll be hit with what feels like a never ending ascent, which is accurate since that’s basically what this entire hike is. Within the first 4km you’ll ascend over 800m in what can only be called a bombardment to your calves. There is little of interest at the beginning of this hike, the trail is seriously steep but easy to follow. At times the loose dirt might prove slippery due to the gradient, but you’ll be fine. You’ll eventually cross a relatively benign boulder field where you will have your first view, but it’s nothing more than a brief respite to your long day.
Continuing on the uneventful and seemingly endless forest trek, 1.5km further up the trail you’ll eventually reach Lower Pierce Lake. The trail stays a good distance away (and above) from the lake, but you’d be a fool not to stop for a rest and some photos by the lake itself. That being said, Lower Pierce Lake is nothing special up close so don’t stick around too long and head back to the trail.
After the first lake the trail starts to deteriorate somewhat, particularly when you traverse a path of bushes above the lake with uneven footing but excellent views. Continuing on, the ascent is, well, endless. You’ll soon hit a few more boulder fields that need traversing (no exposure), and even have to get your hands dirty on some chains to climb up a rockface, but it’s nothing technical and wouldn’t even register on most hikers radars as risky.
As you get closer to Upper Pierce Lake, which is now a mere kilometer or so away, the trail will become more rocky and less defined. The view of Lower Pierce Lake and the mountains behind are now astonishing and will only keep getting better the higher you get. This gives you plenty of opportunity to take photos (or catch your breath…). While the trail is rocky here it’s very obvious where you need to go and while I’m sure the trail is marked, I didn’t bother following any markings and made my own route up the rocks. There are some steep rock face sections just as you near Upper Pierce Lake but again, nothing an experienced hiker can’t manage.
It should be noted that water sources are aplenty on the majority of this hike, particularly as you near Upper Pierce Lake where a stream flows down the rocks, providing ample opportunity to fill up for the final push.
Soon you will ascend over a crest of a hill and see the glorious Upper Pierce Lake. Most hikers take a good long rest here, filling up on snacks, dipping their feet in the ice cold lake (if not going for a swim) and chilling out for a while before the final push up Mount MacFarlane. If the hike so far hasn’t broken you, the climb up to the summit likely will, but boy is it worth it.
Towards the north end of the lake you will see trails going up a hill leading east, this is what you follow in order to ascend Mount MacFarlane. Don’t assume this is a brief climb, it’s actually the steepest and most challenging part of the hike, believe it or not. At around 300m elevation to gain in just 700m distance, the final climb is very steep and at times requires simple class 3 scrambling with limited exposure. The views as you ascend MacFarlane are insane, particularly when you look back at Upper Pierce Lake. At lake level it’s difficult to notice the deep blue colour, but with a little more elevation the stunning deep blue hues appear with a monumental mountain range backdrop. Don’t stop for too long though as the end of this carnage is nigh.
Other than a really cool ridgeline walk and some simple scrambling, there isn’t much to the final climb other than an uphill slog. I was so over the ascent by this point I was literally yelling expletives as to when it would be over. As of writing, this is the steepest hike I’ve ever completed and I’m not ashamed to admit I hated a lot of it, especially the end. Mercifully, though, the end is close and you’ll soon summit MacFarlane and be rewarded for your effort.
The views at the top are panoramic and endless. Upper and Lower Pierce Lake, as well as the entire Cheam range, Slesse Mountain, Mount Rexford, Mount McGuire and countless mor on full display. Soak it in, you sure as hell have earned this one.
After you’re done, head back down to Upper Pierce Lake for a rest/snack before making the long, even more painful trek back to your car. Poles are highly recommended if that’s your thing, my knees were not fond of me for the next week due to my choice not to use them.
When should I hike Mount MacFarlane ?
Due to the elevation of this hike the season is very short. Even in early July the trail still has snow and the lakes may be frozen. Really, the hiking season is Mid-July to mid-October, but ensure to check conditions if going towards the start/end of this period as there is every chance there is snow.
Top Tip
Poles. Poles. Poles. I am not a pole user but this is the one and only time so far that I would have absolutely wanted to have poles with me. The descent on this hike is just as hard as the ascent and poles will help immensely. My knees were inconsolable at the end of this hike, they didn’t want to hike again for a good week after!
