The clue is in the name, the Ascent trail is one of the most difficult hikes in Whistler with around 3800ft of incline following the Blackcomb gondola all the way up to Rendezvous. As a local I know there are more beautiful hikes up on the top of the mountain, but if you are looking for a good workout alongside some beautiful views this one is a must. To be honest, the trails on the mountain weren’t even open when we completed the ascent trail and I am not going to wait around for them am I?!
Contents
Little Burn, Big Burn and Heart Burn
Wildlife along the Ascent Trail
Can I hike back down the Ascent Trail
Where is the Ascent Trail
The trailhead is located right in the upper village and follows the Blackcomb gondola all the way to near the peak of Blackcomb mountain. Don’t be put off by this as it isn’t right underneath the trail it twists, turns and climbs through beautiful old growth forest.
It is easy to access from Whistler village and is a ten minute walk from the bus loop.
Little Burn, Big Burn and Heart Burn
The complete Ascent trail is made up of three smaller trails called Little Burn, Big Burn and Heart Burn. You might have guessed it but they burn those thighs as you get higher into the alpine and they increase in intensity as you advance along the path.
When meandering through little burn bear in mind that this is also a bike path so remember to share the trail!
Along each trail there are markers to let you know how far you have gone and keep your motivated to reach the top.
One of my favourite things about these trails is the motivational quote signs posted all the way along the track. The volunteers who worked so hard to put this trail together know how difficult it is and these quotes are such a great distraction I loved them.
The Ascent Walking Trail
Details
Time: One Way – 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on fitness.
Distance: 6.1km one way with a 3800ft incline.
Fees: It is completely free to hike the trail, if you are looking at getting the gondola back down you will need to purchase a sightseeing pass from one of the guest services locations.
Getting There: It is located right next to the excalibur gondola in the upper village. This is a 10 minute walk from the bus loop at whistler village.
Parking: There is no parking at the base of the trail, it is easily accessed by a short walk from whistler village.
Wildlife on the Ascent Trail
Before we set out to conquer the incline I had read that there was a lot of birdlife along the ascent which definitely spiked my interest. I will be completely honest, it is so much incline that at points I was a lot more focused on the steps than the wildlife. With that in mind I have no idea how we managed it but we spotted a shy Northern Goshawk soaring through the trees, it was so quiet but the striking facial stripe and red eyes were hard to miss.
Right near the Blackcomb Magic Castle is the prime spot to see the adorable yellow-pine chipmunks, look how cute they are!
Up in the alpine you have the opportunity to spot the adorable Hoary Marmots, we didn’t manage to see one but they are up there just listen out for their distinctive whistle.
Did you know that the marmots whistle is actually how Whistler got it’s name? Cool right!
How Busy is the Ascent Trail
From a lot of people I have spoken too, they would rather get the gondola up to the peak and tackle the hikes up there than take on a very difficult hike underneath a gondola. From my experience, apart from at a few openings in the trees and view points, you hardly know the gondola is even there!
I found it to be one of the quietest places so close to the village, we maybe came across 10 people throughout the whole 5 hours but with everyone travelling along at different speeds it wasn’t for long. Maybe the time of year was a factor, or that the gondola wasn’t open yet but it was such a nice escape from the busy whistler village.
Can I Hike Back Down the Ascent Trail
Absolutely! The idea of the Ascent trail is to hike up to the top and get the excalibur gondola back down at Rendezvous, however depending on the time of year the gondola may not be open (which was the case on the day we tackled it!). You might even want to go experience it from both the ascent and descent, or you might not make it all the way to the top. They don’t recommend it due the extreme downhill sections so be mindful of the weather conditions and also your fitness level if you decide to take on the downhill.
Just because it is called the Ascent trail doesn’t mean there are rules to adhere too, it’s your hiking adventure make your own fun experience!
The Blackcomb Magic Castle
This really took me by surprise as we were hiking up, out of nowhere this little castle appear in our sights. It was closed on our hike so I assume it is just a winter activity as it is located right next to some of the ski runs, but still a surprising thing to come across in the alpine!
Safety in Bear Country
During your stay in Whistler your chances of seeing a black bear are very high, with around 70-80 living in the area summer is your chance to spot one. The Ascent trail climbs up through the trees right underneath Excalibur gondola and to each side are long runs of open luscious grass which are also two ski runs during the winter.
Black bears will eat grass and berries for around 20-23 hours a day so keep an eye out on those large grassy plains, they may even be sleeping in the sun! As always when there is a chance you may come across a bear on your hike make sure to check out this blog on how to stay safe while hiking in canadian bear country.
Her Wild Habit | Travel and Outdoor Adventures 