| What a fantastic array of beautiful and challenging | | | | tracks. Note the sign for Swim Lake and CalCheak |
| hiking trails are waiting for you at spectacular Whistler. | | | | trails. Cross the track and you will see the trail for |
| From short little strolls to a week of backpacking in the | | | | another whistler hiking trail called Daisy Lake. That one |
| mountains. There are trails for every taste or desire. | | | | goes off to the left. Shortly you will come to the falls. |
| This one is a nice 3 hour hike, and it's not going to pull | | | | Note the strange lava rock formations and basalt |
| you away from shopping or golfing in Whistler for very | | | | rocks up to your left as you enjoy the walk. |
| long as it's nearby. | | | | After viewing Brandywine, turn back to the railroad |
| Brandywine falls Provincial Park is set up and | | | | and get to the sign for CalCheak. Walk a few paces |
| maintained by the park's system people to mainly allow | | | | and turn toward Swim Lake. Just before you reach |
| for access to view Brandywine Falls. As a wonderful | | | | the lake your trail will become obvious. The trail rises to |
| bonus, there have been a couple of very nice trails | | | | a ridge where you are going to be viewing the lake. |
| extending from the park falls to CalCheak Forest | | | | Here the leftovers from the volcanic action really |
| Recreation site. This is a loop trail of 8km (5 miles). | | | | becomes obvious with ridges of shattered columnar |
| What you will be walking upon will be a huge lava bed. | | | | basalt popping up everywhere. |
| This was laid down thousands of years ago when a | | | | The trail leads through these columns and broken |
| volcano erupted in this area. Along the way you will | | | | basalt is everywhere. Enjoy the beautiful forest |
| notice basalt columns that were pushed up by the | | | | canopy here especially if it is a hot day. Now and |
| volcano and solidified into grotesque shapes. | | | | again you will see ponds of water on both sides of the |
| In fact the Brandywine falls show the effect that | | | | whistler trail. Soon you will come to the railroad track. |
| water, falling from a distance will, given enough time, | | | | Note the sign for McGuire. This is all that remains of a |
| cut through rock as it did here. This has happened in | | | | railroad station that existed here many years before. |
| the interior of the province at Helmckem Falls as well. | | | | Past the tracks and you are in the beautiful forested |
| Nairn Falls are formed differently. Not through a lava | | | | trail and soon the sound of the Cheakamus river as it |
| bed but solid granite. These falls are a short distance | | | | bustles along its path. The next thing you are going to |
| from Whistler and smash their way through a very | | | | experience is crossing Callaghan Creek on the |
| narrow channel. They are tough to photograph and | | | | suspension bridge. just ahead is the forest recreation |
| look and feel much better when viewed up very close. | | | | site. The site is accessible from highway 99 by driving |
| To get to these falls, drive north from whistler 16 km | | | | 4km (2.5 miles) past the Brandywine Park entrance if |
| (10 miles) and pull in when you reach Nairn Falls | | | | you are coming from Squamish or, you may turn onto |
| Recreation Area on the right. It's a beautiful 30 minute | | | | the old logging road 9km (5.5 miles) south of Whistler. |
| walk to the falls. | | | | Either way you do it be prepared to find lots of pot |
| Brandywine falls hike. | | | | holes on this 1.5 km (1 mile) road into the site. These |
| One of the best outdoor adventures to do is whistler | | | | roads are not maintained. |
| hiking trails like this one. From Whistler you will need to | | | | The whistler hiking trail back to the parking lot is back |
| turn left onto the Sea to Sky highway number 99 and | | | | along the same way you came. You may wish to |
| drive 13 km (8 miles) where on your left you will find | | | | take the cross country hiking trail back to the lot by |
| the sign for Brandywine Provincial Park. Turn in here | | | | going right and uphill at McGuire. The trail starts out |
| and park. | | | | barren but soon the trees will provide shade cover. |
| The main trail crosses the Brandywine creek on the | | | | The trail may be a little wet if the weather has been |
| main falls trail. Just beyond the bridge you will see a | | | | heavy. Generally it's pretty good. |
| track going uphill on the left. That's not where you | | | | Joe and Irma Mac Millan have enjoyed the Whistler |
| want to go as that will take you to the cross country | | | | Mountain and valley area of British Columbia for many |
| ski trail. It has a few interesting items to observe if you | | | | years. They have camped, hiked and skied the |
| decide to go a little way on that trail. Not very far | | | | mountains and fished and kayaked the rivers and |
| ahead you will come to Lava Lake and you will see | | | | lakes. Their website One couples guide to the exciting |
| some very interesting pieces of lava that look like | | | | Whistler-outdoors is a must for anyone considering a |
| cobblestones. | | | | trip to Whistler as well as the 2010 Vancouver |
| However, continue along and you will come to railroad | | | | Olympics. They invite one and all to take a look. |