Train Wreck 6k - Whistler Trail Running
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. The whole length of the train wreck and Cheakamus River hike is 3 kilometres (each way) and the trails go along the beautiful river as well as several, widely spaced train wrecks. The Whistler Train Wreck trailhead is now located in Cheakamus Crossing. The new bridge connecting Trash Trail and the Train Wreck Trail was finally finished in 2016. There are a couple very convenient places to park very near the trailhead to both the Trash Trail and the Sea to Sky Trail. After heavy use in recent years, the old Whistler Train Wreck trail will now return to a peaceful obscurity. The old trail began at the Flank Trail, trailhead behind Olive's Market in Function Junction, and took you under the constantly changing highway underpass. Graffiti in this wonderful area on the large cement foundations seems to constantly be added. A creek flows though the underpass on its way to connecting with the much larger Cheakamus River. The Flank Trail trailhead is easy to spot if you know where to look. If you don't write down these directions before you head out you will likely have trouble finding it. Memorize or print the trail map below and you will be able to locate it easily. A small "Flank Trail" sign sits at the edge of Alpha Lake Road just before Alpha Lake Road bends sharply right(just before Olive's Market). The Flank Trail immediately runs into the deep forest as it follows the river away from Function Junction.
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 marked with two large, painted rocks on either side(see directions, map and videos below for better trail descriptions of where to go and where not to). Walk 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. 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. Parking & Trailhead Directions to Whistler Train Wreck
Another good, possible the best place to park is just a few metres into the Jane Lakes Forest Service Road(see map below). Drive just a few metres in and you will spot an old gravel road on the right ascend steeply up into the forest. This road is not too troubling for most vehicles and easy for 4x4's. It quickly narrows and finally blocked by boulders about 50 metres in. You could certainly park here keeping mindful about not blocking other cars or being blocked in yourself. Alternatively you could park at the edge of the Jane Lakes FSR where it met this road. From here you continue up a briefly steep trail for about 1 kilometre before reaching a nicely signed and new junction directing you(for the first time) to the Whistler Train Wreck. From where you park to the amazing new Train Wreck bridge should only take you 15-20 minutes. The Whistler Train Wreck, of course is located just beyond the bridge.
From here the trail is fairly straightforward, but keep in mind that you should, and easily can keep clear of the train tracks with the exception of crossing them once. There is a bright blue spray painted line on the tracks at the one place you need to cross. Avoid being on or near the train tracks as much as possible and if a train comes, be sure to not be seen. Having people in the vicinity of the train tracks understandably alarms the train conductors and they will notify BC Rail staff to come down and issue fines if they see people walking on their tracks. Whistler Train Wreck Trail Map
Other Trail Running Near Whistler Train Wreck
Full List of Whistler Trail Running with Maps>>
Whistler & Garibaldi Park Hiking Trails
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