Hiking the Whistler Train Wreck in Whistler
Contents
Whistler Train Wreck Hike Information
Difficulty: Very Easy
Distance: 7Km
Elevation Gain: 120m
Highest Elevation: 630m
Average Gradient: 3.42%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.50 – 2 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: Year-Round
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Whistler Train Wreck Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 50°04’48.7″N 123°02’43.6″W
Whistler Train Wreck Overview
The Whistler train wreck is the site of a train crash that occurred in 1956 when a train that was traveling between Lillooet and Squamish crashed as a result of speeding. At the time this train line was the only way to move people and resources between Lillooet and Squamish (and everywhere in between), and the quickest way of clearing the tracks was to dispose of the destroyed carriages in the nearby forest, where they have remained since. Over time graffiti artists took over and painted each of the carriages, and a network of trails was created around the site, which have now become a popular spot for hikers, trail runners, dog walkers and families.
The hike to the Whistler train wreck is only around 1.3km (each way) with minimal elevation, but many people choose to explore more of the area thanks to its scenic setting around Cheakamus River, with many people opting to extend their hike by following the Millar Creek trail all the way to Function Junction. The hike includes a suspension bridge that crosses high above Cheakamus River, which in itself is a nice spot.
Due to its tame statistics and year-round accessibility, this has become one of the more popular winter hiking spots around Whistler, especially with young families and dog walkers who want somewhere simple and safe to explore near the village. That being said, it’s absolutely still a popular hike in the summer. Most of the trails around the Whistler train wreck are multi-use (i.e. bike friendly), so pay attention to your surroundings in case a mountain biker comes past.
Parking for the Whistler train wreck is on a side street leading off from Cheakamus Lake road and is typically plowed in the winter due to its popularity. It is a 2WD friendly road, and the hike is pet friendly.
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Is the Whistler Train Wreck worthwhile?
If you are looking for a very easy hike in the forest, some nice river views and a quirky destination, this hike fits the bill. As noted the hike to the train wreck site is a mere 2.6km return, perfect for anybody wanting an easy stroll with their family or pet, but perhaps not so worthwhile for somebody wanting a more challenging outing. It is very easy to extend the hike as far as you want thanks to a large network of trails, but the views will always be similar (forested) and the terrain is mostly mellow. The most popular extension seems to be the Millar Creek trail that is linked here, but in all honesty I find it hard to recommend as for me there was very little to see and most of this section passes right next to the highway (and an active train track). I would sooner explore the network of trails closer to the train wreck, such as the “Trash” trail which meanders next to the Cheakamus River and provides multiple viewpoints and opportunities to get down to the river itself.
How difficult is the hike to the Whistler Train Wreck?
This is a very easy hike both physically and technically, especially if you are only going to the train wreck and back. At no point is it really steep, it’s more of a gradual descent towards the train wreck, then a gradual climb back up to the trailhead.
If you choose to continue along the Millar Creek trail it can be a little challenging in terms of route finding, especially if you are going in the snow. A map is advised for this section. You are not supposed to hike along the train tracks as this is an active (albeit infrequent) train line, but at times you will have to hike next to them. Some sections of the hike can go near steep embankments and cliffs above the Cheakamus River, so take care around these parts especially with children and pets.
Whistler Train Wreck Route Information
The trailhead for Whistler train wreck is on Whistler Quarry Road, a small detour off Cheakamus Lake Road. The road is 2WD friendly and should be plowed in the winter, including the parking lot which is slightly further along the road than the trailhead itself.
After walking over to the trailhead you should note there are a few different paths departing from the same area, so take care to ensure you join the Sea to Sky Cheakamus trail. There are several signs indicating this is the trail to the train wreck, so it shouldn’t be too difficult, but a map might be useful anyway as there are several trails in the area.
The trail starts off benign for the first few hundred meters as you saunter around, before descending into the forest. After around 900m you’ll reach a junction where you’ll want to continue onto the Trash trail. In no time you should see the suspension bridge, with a couple of paths down towards it.
The suspension bridge is wide, and while it does wobble around a little it is nothing like the Capilano or Lynn Canyon suspension bridge which are far narrower. The views of the Cheakamus River from the bridge are great, arguably as good as the others mentioned.
Immediately after reaching the other side of the bridge you will see the train wreck site, as well as a couple of information boards explaining the history of the train crash and the reasons behind leaving the carriages where they are. There are multiple carriages strewn around the forest and you will have to walk a little to see them all, but by and large they’re much the same. They have been stripped of anything of note and are simply a hollow shell. As noted, graffiti artists have spray painted the carriages over the years, giving them an urban vibe in a natural setting. You can enter a few of the carriages, and some people even climb up on top of them for a photo.
After you’ve finished up with the train wreck site you have a few options. If this was your end point you can simply head back to the trailhead the same way you came, which will be a short and sweet hike.
Alternatively if you are following the whole linked trail above you should see a trail following the Cheakamus River towards an opening in the forest where the train track is. This is now the Millar Creek trail. The trail hugs the train track briefly before entering the first again, meandering next to the Cheakamus River. Over the next 500m or so this continues, before the trail crosses the tracks and briefly enters the forest adjacent to the highway on the other side. Soon enough you will reach a bridge over the highway which you can hike under, with the trail continuing to follow Millar Creek for a few hundred meters. The Millar Creek trail is more or less flat the entire time. Once you reach Alpha Lake Road in Function Junction, the trail ends and you simply turn back and return the same way you came to the train wreck site. In all honesty I did not find the Millar Creek trail worthwhile, especially in snow where route finding was challenging.
Instead of the Millar Creek trail (or as well as), I would suggest exploring more of the Trash trail, which I assure you is better than the name suggests. It is not on the specified trail above but it is easy to find. You simply cross back over the suspension bridge as if you are heading back towards the trailhead, and instead of returning the same way, you will immediately take a left turn onto the Trash trail as it follows the Cheakamus River. This trail ebbs and flows adjacent to the river with multiple viewpoints along the way. I found these views much better than the Millar Creek trail. You can follow the Trash trail for as long as you want, it goes for a couple of kilometers, ending on Legacy Way, one of the roads you drove down to the trailhead. From here you could just follow the road back to the parking lot. Alternatively if you don’t want to hike the entire Trash trail you can just follow it until you reach the Cheakamus River waterfall, then backtrack on the trail and take the “Just Another Bike” trail back to the trailhead, or head back to rejoin the Sea to Sky Cheakamus trail and return that way.
Obviously with all these possibilities it would be wise to take an offline map with you so you can verify you are on the trail you intend to be on. While it is easy to hike to the train wreck and back without a map, if you go on any of the other trails in the area you might find that signage isn’t the best.
When should I hike the Whistler Train Wreck?
Personally I would suggest keeping this one in the back pocket for winter when there aren’t a whole lot of hiking options. There are no real views from this hike, it’s entirely in the forest, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s raining or cloudy. If you want to avoid snow though, obviously you will want to save this for spring, summer or fall when the snowline has risen above this area.
Top Tip
As mentioned I would skip out on the Millar Creek trail and instead explore more around the train wreck and Cheakamus River, preferably the Trash trail.
You will likely want to use an offline map if you intend to explore more of the area as there is a network of trails that can be a bit confusing.
Many of the trails here are multi-use so you will want to be alert to mountain bikes, especially in the summer. If there is snow on the ground I wouldn’t expect to see any bikes though.
