Hiking the Mount Slesse Memorial Trail near Chilliwack
Contents
Mount Slesse Memorial Trail Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 16Km
Elevation Gain: 1,050m
Highest Elevation: 1,570m
Average Gradient: 13.12%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / High
Time Needed:
– Slow: 6 – 7 Hours
– Moderate: 5 – 6 Hours
– Fast: 4 – 5 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: July – October
4×4 / High Clearance Required? Yes
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Mount Slesse Memorial Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°02’44.5″N 121°34’09.6″W
Mount Slesse Memorial Trail Overview
Mount Slesse is an iconic peak steeped in history located in the Chilliwack River Valley. Not only is Mount Slesse one of the most visually jaw-dropping summits in the region, it’s renowned as the site of one of Canada’s worst ever aviation disasters.
On December 9th, 1956, Trans-Canada airlines flight 810 destined for Calgary crashed into the northeast face of Mount Slesse, killing all 62 passengers on board. It wasn’t until 5 months later that the wreckage was discovered, but due to the remoteness of the area it was deemed too unsafe and inaccessible to remove the wreckage or bodies. Instead it was decided the site would become a “cemetery in perpetuity”. Unfortunately the site was left unprotected for over 38 years. Ultimately, in 1995, the Government of BC enacted legislation to create the Mount Slesse Commemorative Site, prohibiting any mining, logging or recreational development of the area. The debris from the aircraft is now protected under the Heritage Conservation Act, and any damage, desecration or removal of materials from the site is an offence.
Nowadays there is not a lot left of the wreckage, but this hike terminates at a propeller cairn from the plane, with some small debris from the plane dotted around it.
In terms of the hike itself, accessing the trailhead requires a high clearance vehicle as the Nesakwatch Creek FSR is fairly rough. There are multiple cross ditches, one or two of which might cause issues for lower clearance vehicles, as well as some particularly rocky terrain. People do make it to the trailhead in SUV’s with good clearance, though they are typically competent and confident off-road drivers. Most vehicles at the trailhead will be high clearance 4×4’s.
The hike is quite straightforward, with an easy to follow, well marked trail the entire time. It rarely gets very steep and maintains a consistent climb throughout, but it can be quite rugged. Most of the hike is in the treeline and large parts of the trail can be narrow and overgrown. This is a volunteer maintained trail, so depending on when the last trail clearing mission was, it might be better or worse than other years.
Mount Slesse Memorial Trail is typically a summer outing once the trail (and road) is clear of snow. The peak hiking season tends to be from July to October, but some parties choose to go a couple of months before/after that if they are happy for snow travel. If there is snow at the end of the hike you will not see the propeller cairn or any debris from the plane. Parties generally do not go in winter due to high avalanche risk.
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Is the Mount Slesse Memorial Trail worthwhile?
For a hike that does not go to any summit, the views from the top of the Slesse Memorial Trail are pretty stunning. Slesse itself is a majestic peak, but the surrounding views of Mount Rexford and the Cheam range off in the distance are excellent as well. Given this hike can be completed relatively seamlessly for most parties, it’s a high reward hike.
Unfortunately the trail itself isn’t the most appealing. Other than the odd viewpoint here and there, most of the trail is treed in, with a lot of it overgrown. You will most likely be brushing against bush for large portions of the hike, and also dealing with mud towards the end.
How difficult is the Mount Slesse Memorial Trail hike?
Physically speaking I’d be pushed to call this a particularly difficult hike. It’s never really that steep, it’s just a pretty consistent climb for the majority of it. Most people can maintain a consistent pace throughout the hike. I’d say it’s on the harder end of moderate difficulty but it’d be a stretch to call it difficult.
Technically the hike is straightforward other than the rugged terrain. The trail can be quite rocky underfoot, you’ll probably be looking down a lot to ensure you don’t twist an ankle. There is no scrambling or exposure along the trail.
Mount Slesse Memorial Trail Route Information
To access the trailhead you’ll drive down Chilliwack Lake Road, past the trail to Cheam Peak, where shortly after you’ll see a signpost on the right for the Slesse Memorial Trail. You’ll turn onto the Nesakwatch Forest Service Road, and follow it for around 6km where it terminates at a parking area. The FSR is rugged but not steep, so 4×4 isn’t necessary. That being said there are several cross ditches and one or two that will be challenging if you don’t have high clearance. The least capable vehicle I saw at the trailhead was likely a Ford Escape or Nissan X Trail, everything else was a high clearance 4×4.
From the parking area there are two trails so make sure you begin on the Slesse Memorial Trail. The other trail goes to Mount Rexford. Immediately after beginning on the trail you’ll reach a junction where you’ll want to go left. It’s easy to miss this and end up continuing straight to a dead end, which many people do, so keep an eye out.
The trail now enters a forest and is fairly simple forest terrain for the first 1.5km or so. At the 1.5km mark you’ll reach a bridge constructed over a downed tree to take you over Nesakwatch Creek. You’ll climb somewhat steeply for a brief period before finding yourself on a very long traverse across a steep hillside. The next 1.5 km or so will be very simple, climbing just 100m or so, before you reach a switchback and continue to traverse along the hillside in the opposite direction. Along this section you’ll get your first views of the day looking east towards the very photogenic Mount Rexford.
At the end of the second switchback you’ll reach a rocky area where the trail is less obvious. You’ll need to clamber up a few rocks and re-join the trail towards the top, but it’s very simple. The trail now climbs gently once more, where you’ll now get your first glimpses of Mount Slesse. You’ll pass by a few signs warning you of the area you’re about to enter and not to remove any items.
Shortly ahead you will reach the commemorative plaque explaining the history of the mountain, and you’ll have your first jaw-dropping views of Slesse. Back on the trail it continues to climb at a moderate grade and soon you’ll reach another nice viewpoint of Mount Rexford where many people stop for photos. The trail continues across another hillside before cutting in and climbing up again. You’ll now be weaving in and out of trees as you continue to climb.
You’ll soon gain a ridge that you’ll follow for the remainder of the hike, and the trees will begin to thin with peek-a-boo views of Slesse and the valley beneath showing itself. The terrain here becomes increasingly muddy the further you progress, and if you listen carefully you’re likely to hear the thundering sound of rocks tumbling off the Slesse ridgeline down towards the valley. The rock here is perpetually crumbling so you’re almost certain to hear it at some point during the hike.
The hike continues in the trees for half a kilometer or so before you eventually break out of the treeline entirely. You’ll instantly have stunning views of both Mount Slesse and the valley beneath. The trail now climbs a little steeply up a heather slope before you reach the propeller cairn, where the hike terminates. The views will now be 360 degrees with exceptional views of Mount Rexford, Illusion Peak, Crossover Peak, Mount Parkes and the entire Cheam range off in the distance. Obviously you’ll be immediately below the staggering Mount Slesse, which towers a full 900m higher than where you are. It’s so close, so steep and so massive that it’s actually challenging to get a photo of it, especially one with you in it.
From the propeller cairn you can explore the area however you please, many people wander around the rock beneath the peak, perhaps looking for debris from the crash. Once you’ve finished exploring you simply head back the way you came.
When should I hike the Mount Slesse Memorial Trail?
Most people hike the Slesse Memorial Trail in the middle of summer once the snow has left. Snow remains in the area deep into the year so if you want a snow free experience you’ll likely want to go between July and October. You can go earlier or a little later, but you’re likely to encounter snow. Nobody really goes in winter for a number of reasons.
Do not do this hike on a day when Slesse will be clouded over. It’s not a particularly enjoyable trail and if you don’t get any reward at the end it’s arguably not worth going at all. It’s best to go on a positively clear day as Slesse is so high it is often the first place to end up in the clouds.
Top Tip
You’ll want good ankle support on this trail as a lot of it is awkward, rocky terrain that can result in a twisted ankle.
Due to the trail being narrow and overgrown in many places, poles are quite tricky to use. You’ll often end up with your arms out in front of you to avoid brushing the bushes the entire time, at which point your poles will just become a deadweight. If I were to go back I wouldn’t take my poles with me.
This hike can be quite damp and combined with the overgrown bushes you might get quite wet. It can also be extremely buggy in the early summer when the snow has recently melted, so bug spray is highly recommended.
