Upper Shannon Falls

Upper Shannon Falls Trail Rating The wonderful Upper Shannon Falls trail is now also called the Sea to Summit trail, branches off from the chaotically popular Stawamus Chief trail. About 15 minutes along the Stawamus Chief trail you will see a well marked trail branch off to the right into the forest. This is the Upper Shannon Falls trail and is remarkably unused. This is a wonderful fact though as hundreds hike The Chief on any given day, though only a handful hike this trail.

Start at beautiful Shannon Falls
Relatively quiet trail
Summit has amazing views
Trail continues to Summit Lodge
Likely have the place to yourself
Free access for Sea to Sky Gondola
Serene alternative to The Chief
Falls not terribly impressive
Trail is not as fun as The Chief
Passes under Sea to Sky Gondola

Squamish & Whistler Trails

Alexander Falls Alice Lake Ancient Cedars Black Tusk Blackcomb Mountain Brandywine Falls Brandywine Meadows Brew Lake Callaghan Lake Cheakamus Lake Cheakamus River Cirque Lake Elfin Lakes Flank Trail Garibaldi Lake Garibaldi Park Helm Creek High Falls Creek Jane Lakes Joffre Lakes Keyhole Hot Springs Levette Lake Logger’s Lake Madeley Lake Meager Hot Springs Nairn Falls Newt Lake Panorama Ridge Parkhurst Ghost Town Rainbow Falls Rainbow Lake Ring Lake Russet Lake Sea to Sky Gondola Sea to Sky Trail Shannon Falls Skookumchuck Hot Springs Sloquet Hot Springs Sproatt East Sproatt West Stawamus Chief Taylor Meadows Train Wreck Upper Shannon Falls Wedgemount Lake Whistler Mountain

Upper Shannon Falls, Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls are all connected by trails. In order to see all three you should park in the Shannon Falls parking lot and hike up to the Shannon Falls viewpoint just a short 5 minute walk from the parking lot, then proceed from there to connect with the Stawamus Chief trail, about 15 minutes further up the trail. Once you connect with the Stawamus Chief trail you will see clear signs directing you to either the Upper Shannon Falls trail, or to continue on the main trail to one or all of the Chief's 1st Peak trail, 2nd Peak trail, 3rd Peak trail. If you plan on hiking both the Upper Shannon Falls trail and one or all of The Chief peaks, be prepared for an arduous day as the distance is not very much, but the continuous elevation gain will be hard. But as long as you are in for a good workout.. as many do.. Doing both The Chief and the Upper Shannon Falls trail in the same day is amazing! The views are not quite as dramatic at the top of the Upper Shannon Falls trail and the distance a bit farther than the Chief's first peak, but the views are still amazing. The hike through the forest is very beautiful as it winds through massive trees and over cute streams and at one point through a wonderful fissure in the mountain. If you are looking to get away from the crowds Upper Shannon Falls is the place.

Beautiful and Steep Upper Shannon Falls Trail

The Upper Shannon Falls Trail in Squamish

The Upper Shannon Falls trail is not overly strenuous and only 3.5k from the Shannon Falls trailhead to the end of the Upper Shannon Falls trail and plateau viewpoints. It is however constantly uphill as you do gain 450 metres in that short distance. There are a couple chain pulls along the trail, though they are only added as a convenience and added safety precaution on a couple narrow parts of the trail. The real attraction of the Upper Shannon Falls trail is actually not the upper falls, but rather the beautiful hilltop and rock outcrops at the end of the trail. They give you tremendous views all around. From Squamish to distant mountains to Howe Sound. There is a considerable forested area to explore and so large as to likely never bump into anyone if you plan on relaxing with a mountaintop picnic or glass of wine.