Hiking Pierce Lake near Chilliwack
Contents
Pierce Lake Hike Information
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Distance: 15.80Km
Elevation Gain: 1,568m
Highest Elevation: 1,800m
Average Gradient: 19.85%
Effort/Reward Ratio: High / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 8 – 10 Hours
– Moderate: 7 – 8 Hours
– Fast: 6 – 7 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: July – October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Pierce Lake Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°05’10.9″N 121°40’36.7″W
Pierce Lake Overview
The Pierce Lakes are a duo of turquoise lakes located in Chilliwack, making for a challenging but rewarding hike from the bottom of the Chilliwack River Valley.
Upper Pierce Lake is the more scenic of the two lakes, with stunning alpine views and crystal clear waters. A stream flows from the upper lake to the far less scenic, but still worthy Lower Pierce Lake, almost 400m below. The lower lake sits within a dense forested area and doesn’t offer a lot in terms of views, though the waters are still a beautiful blue, albeit muddied from their journey down the mountain.
The hike to both of these lakes is steep and relentless, but obviously reaching the lower lake is much less effort than the upper lake. Due to the significant elevation of these lakes they typically remain frozen and snow covered for most of the year. The upper lake likely only thaws out in mid-summer, with the lower lake thawing a little earlier.
Due to the difficulty of reaching either of the lakes, many people prefer to camp at one of the lakes in order to enjoy the fruits of their labor. That being said, lugging up overnight gear on such a steep trail is no mean feat, making an already difficult hike even harder.
Upper Pierce Lake sits just under 300m below the summit of Mount MacFarlane, which many will usually add on to their trip given it’s not that much further and offers breathtaking 360 degree views from the summit. It’s also possible to summit the nearby Mount Pierce.
Parking for the Pierce Lakes 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 any hike in the Chilliwack River Valley. It is strongly recommended to leave your car completely empty, especially if you are camping, as the Chilliwack River Valley is well known for vehicle thefts.
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Is Pierce Lake worthwhile?
Upper Pierce Lake is a gruelling and relentless climb, but those beautiful, crystal clear waters and alpine views are a worthy reward for sure. That being said I do recommend continuing on to summit Mount MacFarlane, it’s not much higher and offers even better views.
Lower Pierce Lake is a less worthy option with little in the way of views. The entire hike to this point is steep and forested, so you’d really be going just to see the lake itself. For me the payoff comes beyond the lower lake once you break out of the treeline. At Upper Pierce Lake you have some fantastic views, and if you keep going all the way to Mount MacFarlane you will have incredible views.
How difficult is the hike to Pierce Lake?
With an average gradient of almost 20% and over 1,500m elevation gain, this is undoubtedly a very difficult hike. The entire hike is steep and there are almost no flat sections.
Technically this hike isn’t too difficult. There are parts where you will need to briefly use a chain and your hands on the way to the second lake, but they are few and far between. For the most part it’s just a very steep, easy to follow trail. You will never be exposed to any significant fall.
You might think going to the lower lake is much easier, but you’d be wrong. While of course it is easier as it is closer, it is still an incredibly steep 1,100m elevation climb. You may as well continue for another 400m to the upper lake at this stage.
Pierce Lake Route Information
As with many hikes in SWBC, this hike begins with a brief and flat stroll in the woods. Unfortunately all that really means is the huge elevation gain is really going to be spread over a shorter distance. Soon you’ll be faced 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, so take care with your footing. You’ll cross a relatively benign boulder field at around 960m, where you will have your first view, but it’s nothing more than a brief respite to your ongoing ascent.
Continuing on the uneventful and seemingly endless forest trek, 1.5km further up the trail you’ll eventually reach the lower lake. The trail stays a good distance away from the lake, but you’d be a fool not to stop for a rest and some photos by the lake itself, so head down to the shores if for no other reason than to take a break or even go for a swim. There might be some tents set up near the shore.
For those continuing on to the upper lake, Lower Pierce is nothing in comparison 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 terrible footing but excellent views of the lower lake below. Continuing on, the ascent is, well, endless. You’ll soon hit a few more boulder fields that need traversing, 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 the lower lake and the mountains behind are now breathtaking and will only keep getting better the higher you get. This gives you plenty of opportunity to take photos. While the trail is rocky here it’s very obvious where you need to go, and while I’m sure the trail is marked you can really pick your own route. There are some steep rock face sections just as you near Upper Pierce Lake but again, nothing an experienced hiker can’t manage and it’s not exposed.
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 reach the shores of Upper Pierce Lake. By now you will likely want to cool off in the lake, either going for a swim or at the very least dipping your feet in. If you’re camping you’ll want to find a good spot to set up your tent. If the hike so far hasn’t broken you, and you’re feeling like more, the trail to Mount MacFarlane continues up a ridge on the north west of the lake. Even if you don’t want to summit MacFarlane I do encourage you to begin on this ridge just to get some stunning views above Upper Pierce Lake. Gaining even a little elevation really brings out the color of the lake that you may not appreciate from the shore.
Once you’re finished you simply return to the trailhead the same way you came. Unfortunately the downhill isn’t a lot more pleasant than the uphill. The incessantly steep terrain really does a number on your knees, and by the time you get back to your car you’ll be thankful that this one’s over.
When should I hike Pierce Lake?
Due to the elevation of this hike the season is short. Even in early July the trail still has snow and the lakes may be partially frozen. If you want to ensure the lakes are not frozen I’d aim to go between mid-July and mid-October.
Top Tip
If there’s any hike you want to use poles, it’s this one. The downhill on this trail is just as hard as the uphill, but poles will take a lot of pressure off of your knees.
I strongly encourage going to Upper Pierce Lake as well as lower. The lower lake is far less scenic. If you’ve got it in you I also encourage summiting Mount MacFarlane.
