Fall weather in Whistler can be what the locals like to call “a real mixed bag” — you just never know what you are going to get! While this fall has been a nice mix of sunny and rainy weather, it’s always good to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature may throw at you. Packing the essentials such as good rain gear and waterproof boots and shoes will allow you to embrace any weather and enjoy the wonderful outdoor activities that Whistler has to offer.
Whistler in the fall is such a great season! The landscape begins to transform as the leaves change colour and snow begins to dust the top of the peaks. There’s no better way to experience this scenery than to hike amongst it. All of the hiking in the valley and lower alpine is usually still doable, while the higher elevation hiking remains weather-dependent. If you notice a lot of snow building up on the peaks, you may want to stick to lower elevation hikes. If you are unsure, stop by the Whistler Visitor Centre and ask for trail updates.
If you’re visiting this fall, be sure to check out these 3 fun fall hikes in Whistler:
Brandywine Falls
About 10 kilometres south of Whistler, lies Brandywine Provincial Park. Follow the sound of the waterfall as you walk just a little over 10 minutes along a forested trail to the waterfall lookout. Brandywine Falls is 70 metres high (230ft) and falls into a luscious green bowl of moss and rocks. It is a breathtaking waterfall and is highly recommended when visiting Whistler. Whether it’s rainy or sunny outside, this little adventure is guaranteed to make you forget city life.
The Train Wreck
In 1956, a train derailed and ended up scattered between the Cheakamus River and the train tracks. The train cars were proven too difficult and costly to remove so they were left following the accident. Today, they are covered in tasteful graffiti and make for a colourful discovery in the middle of the tall trees.
The train wreck used to be accessible from a walk along highway 99 but in 2016, the town built a suspension bridge over the raging Cheakamus River river to allow an easier and safer access to the historical site. The new entrance for the Train Wreck trail is accessible through the Cheakamus neighbourhood.
It takes approximately 20-30 minutes of easy walking along the trail until you arrive at the suspension bridge. Vancouver Trails offers the best map to find the train wreck. For a rainy day activity, this is a fun walk in the woods where you can almost stay dry underneath the big trees and exploring inside the train cars.
Cheakamus Lake
This hike is a little bit of a longer adventure! After a 20-30 minute drive on a Forest Service
Road, you will find the entrance to the Cheakamus Lake trail. Located in Garibaldi Provincial
Park, Cheakamus Lake is a glacial-fed lake. The hike is fairly easy and the tall trees offer a partially covered trail away from the rain. It is common to cross paths with backpackers walking back from the nearby campsite. Cheakamus Lake is highly visible from the top of any mountain with its turquoise waters. The hike is about 16 kilometres roundtrip and takes around 5 hours to complete.
Don’t let the rain scare you from visiting Whistler in the fall! Put on a rain jacket, and some waterproof footwear and get out to explore one of these fun fall hikes in Whistler.
Come stay with us at Whiski Jack Resorts, your home away from home. Be sure to check out our great fall accommodation deals including our BC and WA residents rate.
