Conquering Mt. Cheam

That amazing picture above almost didn't happen. We were supposed to hike Mt. Cheam the previous week but the smoke from all the Okanagan fires had drifted down to the valley and the air quality in Chilliwack was 26 times higher than what was recommended as safe to breathe. So we sadly had to bail on hiking Mt. Cheam last week. 

This weekend we weren't supposed to be in town but the Garrison Lake fire cancelled our camping trip to Manning Park. Like everyone else we tried to find a Plan B trip but couldn't find any camping sites that wasn't on fire so we reluctantly opted for a staycation instead. We went to the Aquarium one day and then Watermania and then the icing on the cake was hiking Mt. Cheam. We almost didn't go because the forecast called for cloudy with chance of showers. The worst part about a hike is when you put in all that work and you can't see any views but we decided to take a chance and go for it.

If you're looking for a 4X4 adventure, look no further than Mt. Cheam. The forest service road up to the trail head requires a high clearance vehicle, all wheel drive (preferably 4x4) and the driver needs to be up for navigating the huge ditches and potholes. We went in our GMC Sierra pick-up  and our friends went in their Subaru Ascent . Pictures don't really capture the rugged road conditions. I did film this pick-up repeatedly try to clear this section of the road. Most vehicles gave up about 2 km from the trailhead and the line up of cars parked on the side of the road makes for extra obstacles for the ones that are trying to keep going dodge past. We had walkie talkie radios so the kids could report whether their vehicle made it past the next obstacle. 

Eventually we got to a point in the road where our friends declared on the walkie talkies that they also had to ditch their vehicle and we pulled over and all 2 adults and 5 kids packed into our truck navigating all the ditches to the parking lot. 

We all cheered when the truck made it to the trail head - it felt like quite the accomplishment just to make it to that top and we hadn't even taken a single step yet.

Trail head

One of the pros of starting at alpine level when you start a hike is that it's beautiful right from the start. The path winds through the side of the mountain but you get all these beautiful views along the way. A lot of the view was still in the clouds when we were hiking but people who had reached the summit already and were hiking back down told us to keep on trekking and it would be worth it at the top.

They were right and we were so glad we pressed on. Near the top we could see blue sky and feel the warmth of the sun. The view of the blue sky and a constant supply of sour patch gummies kept the kids trekking along to the very top.

The rock formations and being above the clouds just felt so surreal.  I am sure on a sunny day you would see the whole valley below from the summit but yesterday it was a valley of clouds. It felt like being in the heavens.

Standing on the rocks above the clouds was pretty breathtaking and incredible. What an amazing spot to have lunch with friendly chipmunks and just be in awe. 

This hike is so beautiful with the alpine flowers and winding path. We will definitely be back again next summer and I'm sure next time will be a whole difference experience when we can hopefully see more of the valley at the summit. 

It is a full day excursion though - it takes 2.5 hours to drive to the trailhead (if you are one of the lucky few that make it there) and it took us 4.5 hours to hike the 10km round trip. Don't forget you have to drive back down the gnarly mountain after.

Maybe some other friends with a 4x4 truck will want to come along for the adventure. Or there’s lots of room in the back of our pickup truck too!