The Whistler Train Wreck                                                   Whistler Snowshoeing

Decades ago a train derailed south of Whistler.  The cost to clean up the mess was deemed too high, so seven train cars were left scattered next to the Cheakamus River.  As it turns out, time and local effort has transformed this mess into a wonderful work of art, an extraordinary bike park in the summer, and a great place to snowshoe in the winter. The Cheakamus River winds its way, crashing and emerald green along the length of the Whistler Train Wreck, and there are several spectacular river vantage points that shouldn't be missed.  During most of the winter you will need snowshoes to get to the Train Wreck, however if it hasn't snowed for a week or so, you may be fine due to the trail being packed down.  Snow usually covers the area until late March or early April.

The Flank Trail trailhead is easy to spot.  A small "Flank Trail" sign sits at the edge of Alpha Lake Road just before Alpha Lake Road bends sharply right.  The Flank Trail immediately runs into the deep forest as it follows the river away from Function Junction.  There trail is easy to follow and well used.  There is only one part of the trail that may get you lost.  About five minutes into the trail you will exit the forest and walk along a wide, clear gravel area.  Keep your eyes out for the trail across the clearing.

Snowshoeing through the trees for about 100 metres and you will see and hear the Sea to Sky Highway ahead.  You have to turn left here and follow the trail to the river where the highway overpass it.  Continue along the trail under the overpass and continue on the trail.  At this point you will be walking in a strip of forest about 40 metres wide with the highway to your right and the train tracks about 30 metres to your left.

Follow this trail for a couple minutes as it winds past enormous and ancient, giant cedar tree stumps.  You will abruptly come to a small creek in your way.  This "creek" comes from a giant drainage pipe under the highway.  At the creek look to your left and you will see the trail lead to the train tracks, don't cross the tracks, but rather, just before the tracks turn right, follow the trail at the edge of the tracks past and over the creek and then pick up the trail again as it veers away from the train tracks into the trees again.  Just ahead the trail will end at the train tracks and you will have to carefully cross the tracks here (the only train tracks crossing you will need to do).  Keep in mind that walking along the train tracks is illegal and potentially dangerous.  Fortunately, travelling on the train tracks to access the Whistler Train Wreck is completely unnecessary.

The first part of the Train Wreck is not train wreckage, but instead some amazing views of the Cheakamus River.  This extraordinarily beautiful river crashes violently through here and various viewpoints can be found along the trail.  After a few amazing viewpoints, the Cheakamus River forces you back towards the train tracks.  Walk past this bend in the river by keeping well left of, off and away from the train tracks.  The trail picks up again on the left and descends into the forest again.  This is the stretch of forest that contains seven train wrecked cars strewn over one kilometre.  Some perched at the edge of the Cheakamus River, others mangled against trees.  It is amazing to see the impossibility of where they rest.. with huge trees all around.  In the decades since they crashed and wrecked here, trees have grown all around.

Directions to the Whistler Train Wreck (Flank Trail) and Parking:

To get to the trailhead for the Whistler Train Wreck Trail, you must start at the Flank Trail in Function Junction.  At the traffic lights at Function Junction turn right onto Alpha Lake Road, drive across the train tracks and drive for about 200 metres.  At the sudden 90 degree right bend in the road you will see Olive's Market on your left.  This is an amazing new Organic grocery store.  There is a huge parking lot to the left and behind this big building.  Take a look in Olives Market, they have amazing coffee and unbelievably good cakes, cookies, etc, as well as organic grocery store items.

From this parking lot you may spot the short cut to the Flank Trail.  Immediately you will spot the old sign indicating Flank Trail to the right and Train Wreck straight.  If you don't spot this short cut right away, just walk back to Alpha Lake Road, turn right (onto Alpha Lake Road) and you will immediately see the little Flank Trail, trailhead sign and the well used dirt trail descend into the trees along the river.

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