1) the view from the top of Shannon Falls

Outside Magazine recently rated the 10 most dangerous hikes in the world … you can see that full article here. On that list was the Grouse Grind, here in Vancouver, which is a rite of passage for every Vancouverite. The grind is a slog for sure and we’ve been up a couple times now (see here). The list also notes the Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali coast is Hawaii, which we’ve also done (see here).

But this post is about a lesser known though no less challenging and dangerous hike called Shannon Falls. If you drive an hour north from Vancouver you’ll reach Squamish, which is a town of 15,000 folks known as the ‘Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada’.  Squamish is home to the Skwxwu7mesh aboriginal community and there are several reserves around the town (which are independently government by the Skwxwu7mesh nation). It is popularly known for the Stawamus Chief, a mecca for rock climbers as it is the second largest granite monolith in the world, towering some 700m above Howe Sound. Right next to Stawamus is Shannon Falls, a towering waterfall some 335m high and, in fact, the 3rd highest waterfall in all of British Columbia. At its base is a small park frequented by busloads of tourists who can disembark and wander the well-maintained walking trail at the base of the falls. But if you venture further afield, you can hike (read: scramble and climb) upwards to one of three scenic vistas far from the maddening crowds.

Aboriginal lore has it that the waterfall was made when a  two-headed sea serpent called, Say-noth-ka (who lived/lives?) in Howe Sound slithered up the mountain to create the falls.

Regardless it’s a nice hike so long as you get there before the crowds when the gate opens (7am in the summer) with far fewer climbing hordes than the Grind.

2) Welcome to Shannon Falls

3) G checks the temperature of the water at the base of the falls

4) looking waaay up to the top of the falls

5) down at the base the walk is easy-peasey

6) but then as you start to climb, things change …

7) as you can see … and …

8) as the rangers note for you in their sign

9) ever upwards

10) and higher

11) crossing Olsen Creek

12) are we there yet?!!

13) leaving Olsen Creek behind us

14) … pretty though it is

15) stumbling across a mutant Maple Leaf

16) oh so pretty though

17) onward on the Stawamus trail

18) and into the sun now that it has crested the mountains

19) a very mossy rock

20) … and close up

21) wanna rock climb this granite face?

22) near the top

23) the only wildlife we saw!

24) made it!

25) wolf?! … no, doggie at the top

26) they actually land helicopters up here for rescue!

27) it lands here,on that wee concrete pad way up on the mountain

28) me looking so proud

29) great green scenery heading back down

30) I wonder if I’ll dream of this stuff?!