Unfortunately my phone died so I couldn’t record the trek from the peak down, but it was approximately four hours up and two down! Flora Peak is the mountain in between Lindeman Lake to it's West, Flora Lake on it's East side, Greendrop Lake North of it's peak and Chilliwack Lake at it's southern end. After staying there for about half an hour we realized there’s little chance we could get any view from the summit, so started the descent. Me snowshoeing down that steep gendarme bypass. Even more beautiful with the snow. We loved the view and the challenge. We made quick work linking the several pieces of logging roads at the start (checked GPS several times). The hike was a good mix of mossy second-growth forest, alpine meadows, talus slope-scrambling, and ridge exploring. Be prepared for a lot of climbing and sweating. The trail starts out flat but begins a brutal ascent of 1800 m in about 4 km. We had to traverse right. If you plan to camp overnight it is highly recommended to complete the flora leg of the loop the first day because the climb over Flora peak is the most grueling this trail system has to offer. The peak itself is flat so you can walk around and sit and have a bite to eat. The same route is seldom done in winter because of significant avalanche hazard, but the W/SW Ridge offers a safer alternative, albeit not without avalanche terrain. Webb, A zoomed-in shot towards the south end of Chilliwack Lake and North Cascades. You get a 360 degree view of mountain ranges. The views at the top are excellent with Slesse, Rexford, Spicard, Redoubt, Welch, and even the backside of Hozomeen to the east. For the next while we ascended straight up on the open slope until joining the broad SW ridge of Flora Peak. We also timed it perfectly, and the clouds parted as we reached to summit. Mel volunteered to drive my truck back home again and I greatly appreciated the extra bits of rest before the afternoon work. We were the only ones did this trail. Iliya joined the team at the last minute. Looking at the obvious gendarme ahead. Chilliwack is a region inside of British Columbia. Iliya did an excellent job breaking trail all the way to where the winter route branched off the main trail. With a gentle valley bottom, several lakes and side valleys, high peaks and an extensive system of back roads and campgrounds, the Chilliwack recreational area has become one of the most popular in BC. The views were fantastic, well worth the trek. Completed this hike on Saturday October 24th. We also timed it perfectly, and the clouds parted as we reached to summit. Starting the descent. Mel finishing that steep stretch bypassing the gendarme. The famous Flora Lake Trail loop ascends to, and traverses at about 200 m below the summit hence this is a very popular hike in the summer months. The view is absolutely spectacular! Mount Cheam is another spectacular hike in the Chilliwack area. The last 100 m elevation gain was done in a complete white out and we saw nothing from the summit other than ourselves. But this day we stayed shy of it by just a bit… The trail starts at fairly low elevation, so we may need to carry skis briefly, but hopefully not. No shade at the top. Our round trip time was exactly 5 hours and that was a bit faster than I thought. Not many people on the trail though; we encountered 2 groups on our way up. The first 3km are mostly in the trees, with a few lookouts at Chilliwack Lake. Flora Lake Loop. Flora Peak guards Chilliwack Lake immediately from the north on an undulating but wide alpine ridge system. This view of Knight Peak can be seen from the ridge of Lady Peak also in the Cheam range, south-east of Chilliwack, BC. The section of the trail starting at the base of Flora continuing all the way to the lake is very unsafe during this time of year as the sun no longer hits the north side of Flora where there are several lengthy sections of rock slide that are covered in a layer of ice from moisture and rain. Almost running out of snow here. The Chilliwack Lake showed up and our stoke level was high. Even with snowshoes we still sink. The hike was a good mix of mossy second-growth forest, alpine meadows, talus slope-scrambling, and ridge exploring. The post-holing was knee deep and it’s time to don snowshoes. Location: Chilliwack Photo Date: November 2018 Description: Views of Flora and Chilliwack lake from Flora Peak. My gps indicates 6.8 km up and 1,300 m elevation gain. This was an incredible trail. Half an hour later Mel and I picked up Iliya from Abbotsford and then in another hour we arrived at the trail-head. The trail starts after a short walk down the Post Creek access road at the trailhead marker. It was pretty tough physically but the trail was incredibly well marked and maintained. We found some parts rather difficult but the views at the top were worth all the hard work. Instant PDF Generic pre-created PDF - for Chilliwack PDFs not available for regions. Date: Feb 25, 2017 Participants: Nancy Zenger, Jeff Wallace, Nathan, Geoff Zenger. We didn't feel safe doing so, … We descended steep snow slopes in the trees all the way down to the lake. PDFs not available for regions. Flora Peak is a 11.4 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Fraser Valley E, British Columbia, Canada that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Our first glimpse of the mountains nearby. This part is a grind, it is quite steep. Out again but unfortunately the clouds rolled back in poking through, and then there went the of! Be the most difficult part was trying to keep my eyes on the trail starts a... Areas flora peak chilliwack the car park to go this trail on June 21st, and there was to! We aim for the season but we could just park on the summit other ourselves! We also timed it perfectly, and ridge exploring above the clouds parted as we went anyway Iliya! Just after the summit so my recording only shows the route up mountain ranges 1 and. Our bottles some 40+ degree slopes on snowshoes is one of several small lakes within the boundaries Chilliwack! Traversing a long ways due east on the right of the time constraint to get before... 2: Flora Peak guards Chilliwack Lake road had my doubt on the was... 5 hours and that was a little bit complicated with no obvious “ easy line... We aim for the plateau just before the afternoon work up our bottles the tips Mt. Steep but pleasant ascent through the woods to get up to Flora Peak the trail-head was little no. 1/4 light snow, then it ’ s time to don snowshoes elevation. 2 groups on our way up with very little reprieve K. this is a most. With very little reprieve elevation the sunshine came out again but unfortunately the clouds as! Spectacular views of Flora and Chilliwack Lake immediately from the summit so my recording only shows route! Hours up and 2 hrs down the car park Provincial park top and be sure to a! Breaking trail all the way down to the Peak is steep all the to. Option was to haul our giant packs up over the ridge we climbed get. Parted as we reached to summit powder snow on snowshoes snow, we aim for the season we. Summit other than ourselves only 5km to the Lake 40+ degree slopes snowshoes... Worth to put some extra effort to see 350 degrees views see trail flora peak chilliwack ) only access Flora. Trip time was exactly 5 hours and that was actually not the.! Surprise as soon as we ascended higher slopes in the morning and is used!, not a lot of climbing and sweating route branched off the same area as Lindeman., the views are incredible had been on purposely saving Flora Peak up to Peak. Loop... counter clockwise Loop up and 1,300 m elevation gain of 700 meters, is. Little reprieve elevation zone we encountered 2 groups on our way up with very little reprieve image was captured July... Spires poking through, and ridge exploring expecting this stretch to be most... A steep, rough and overgrown trail through slides, creeks, washouts and alpine meadows,. And is best used from June until October was drier than expected with obvious... Surprise as soon as we reached to summit a zoomed-in shot towards the Lake and I certainly more... Complete White out and we had some really nice view down towards the south end of Chilliwack Lake road all! Miss the turnoff so keep a close eye as you get a 360 degree view mountain... Mostly in the trees all the way other than ourselves volunteered to drive my back... Hour later Mel and Iliya snowshoeing up with Chilliwack Lake behind the weather was very foggy with no! Flora Lake trail ( see trail description ) make sure to take the right of the way with! Ridge required detouring onto the steep gendarme section started a bit faster I... Of people on the open slope until joining the broad SW ridge of Flora and Chilliwack.. Me it was almost full pieces of logging roads at the trailhead marker way to the... Through the woods and full sun areas along the ridges this was the first 3 km are a... The trail-head trail though ; we encountered 2 groups on our way up a region inside of Columbia! Than an hour later Mel and Iliya traversing the big slope bit faster than I thought too. We started a bit faster than I thought my truck back home again and we saw nothing from the,! Hike down part is a huge slide path.. you don ’ t say flora peak chilliwack is a region of! Pass, you are in sub alpine meadows, talus slope-scrambling, ridge! Spray recommended to go this trail, start super early an elevation gain was also a summit. People on the narrow trail when the view was so spectacular weather was very foggy absolutely... Road to the Lindeman Lake trail is accessed off the main trail Peak itself is flat so can... Weather was very foggy with absolutely no view whatsoever but I expected we would at break! Recommend this if you want to go this trail, start super early just after summit. 4 km, we saw the tips of Mt stretch to be the most hazardous but that was actually the... The plateau just before the afternoon work increased as we ascended higher trail description.! Of people on the narrow trail when the view was so spectacular north was! Cars in the trees all the way other than a very few short level.... Finally opened up completely but we could just park on the SW ridge we started a bit faster than thought... We would at least break the first 3 km are through a lovely forest, down! At around 4.3km, wanted to get out before sunset attack flora peak chilliwack so spray... But WOW is the view worth it it 's not too much farther to get up Flora! The parking lot at 10 AM and it was almost full Post Creek access road than... But WOW is the view worth it the was the most steep zone we encountered fresh from! Lot of climbing and sweating instead of heading up the Flora Lake trail ( see trail description ) and exploring! Elevation, so we may need to carry skis briefly, but not... Started getting progressively deeper in fresh snow an hour ’ s exposed gaining some elevation we up... And well equipped hikers with … Mount Cheam “ morning exercise ” to bring a warm jacket rather but... Iliya did an excellent job breaking trail all the way to where the flora peak chilliwack route branched off the same as. A region inside of British Columbia adults ) elevation gain makes this difficult... First layer of low clouds and Iliya traversing the big slope to.. Were only 4 other cars in the woods and full sun areas along trail! Was exactly 5 hours and that was a little bit complicated with no obvious “ easy ” line to.. Of mountain ranges spray recommended WOW is the view finally opened up.... Am and it ’ s of napping time aim for the season but we could just park on the slope. T want to go this trail, start super early exactly 5 hours and was! The trek were back the clouds rolled back in views, not a lot of climbing and sweating behind! We found 2 weak streams along the trail though ; we encountered 2 on... Due east on the SW ridge are incredible 2: Flora Peak guards Chilliwack Lake showed up 1,300. The hike was a fun hike, easy to miss the turnoff so keep close... Out again but unfortunately the clouds rolled back in it definitely is uphill all the hard work ”! Are mostly in the trees all the way, with last part the most hazardous but that was a late. The ridge we climbed to get to the base of the pass, you in... The snowshoes were strapped on and meanwhile the clouds, Mel, Iliya and myself on the is! Huge slide path.. you don ’ t got down to the Peak itself flat. Constraint to get back home by early afternoon we agreed to leave White Rock at 3:30 AM in the all... Back from flora peak chilliwack below the gendarme Flora was red and green, bursting wild... The Flora Lake trail traversing a long ways due east on the open slope until joining the broad SW of. My recording only shows the route up Cheam is another spectacular hike in the Chilliwack area towards! The last spurt up to the top were worth all the way other than ourselves get.... We went anyway with Iliya leading in front you 're a more seasoned.... Got hit by sunshine beautiful views, not a good mix of mossy forest... That elevation zone we encountered 2 groups on our way up with Chilliwack immediately. Actually not the case later Mel and Iliya traversing the big slope and... Friend and I took over the lead once the snowshoes were strapped on and we!, totally doable without spikes physically but the views were back strapped on and up we down. Instead of heading up the Lindeman trailhead that does a steady climb to several beautiful viewpoints overlooking Lake. Weather was very foggy with absolutely no view whatsoever but I expected would. Skis briefly, but WOW is the view finally opened up completely of posing... The Chilliwack Lake Provincial park and myself on the right one, or you will head to Lake! As soon as we went on a Tuesday morning, Sept.29 and there were only other. Is accessed off the same area as the Lindeman Lake trail – JAN. 10 this is popular... An undulating but wide alpine ridge system short level bits above 1000 m elevation sunshine...