Whistler Train Wreck is a hidden little world of brightly graffiti painted, wrecked train cars along a gorgeous stretch of Cheakamus River. One particularly stunning section of the river, unseen by nearly all visitors to Train Wreck, is the marvelously broad and crashing Train Wreck Falls. In the past, the falls were easily spotted on the trail to Train Wreck, but with the recent installation of the bridge to Train Wreck, the access trail was redirected.
Whistler & Garibaldi Hiking
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The new trail to Whistler Train Wreck comes from the opposite direction as the old trail. Designed to avoid the train tracks and inevitable conflicts with CN Rail, the new trail and bridge allows access to Train Wreck without crossing the train tracks. The new trail, however, keeps Train Wreck Falls out of sight. The Trash Trail runs along the other side of Cheakamus River and runs along the edge of the top of the falls and quite a nice view of them. The Train Wreck side of the river has multiple viewpoints of Train Wreck Falls that are considerably more beautiful. These viewpoints are across and adjacent to the falls on the solid, rock cliffs are gorgeous. Smooth, flat, sun facing and just a couple metres above the crashing water swirling below. With your back to the forest, laying on a sun warmed cliff looking across to the idyllic Train Wreck Falls, this spot is paradise. With the new layout to the Train Wreck trail, ironically you have to skirt one of the narrow sections of train tracks to reach these amazing viewpoints. The section is about 150 metres long, where Cheakamus River bends wide and abruptly close to the train tracks. So you risk getting fined by CN Rail if found along or on the tracks here, so do so at your own risk.
Trailhead & Parking Directions to Whistler Train Wreck
The Whistler Train Wreck is one of the easiest hiking trails in Whistler to get to by car, bike or public transit. Public transit runs continuously between Whistler Village and Cheakamus Crossing for just $3 one-way. The bus will drop you off at the HI Hostel and a short section of the Sea to Sky Trail connects you to the Trash Trail and Train Wreck. If you would rather bike to the trailhead you are in for a treat. From anywhere in Whistler the bike ride to Train Wreck is very nice. Whistler's Valley Trail system and the Sea to Sky Trail connect you to Cheakamus Crossing from Whistler Village with only one road crossing! The wide, two lane, paved Valley Trail takes you through some beautiful scenery and along three lakes. Only 9 kilometres by bike, Whistler Train Wreck is easily within reach by bike. Walking to the Train Wreck trailhead is a possible option as well. The same route as by bike, you will pass by some amazing scenery and get from Whistler Village to the trailhead in well under 3 hours.
To get to the trailhead for Whistler Train Wreck, drive 7.9 kilometres south of Whistler Village(Village Gate Boulevard). At the traffic lights at Function Junction turn left onto Cheakamus Lake Road. At 8.6 kilometres, just after you cross the bridge over Cheakamus River, turn right. At 9.2 kilometres you will see the unmarked parking area on the left side of the road, across from the Whistler Train Wreck and Sea to Sky Trail trailhead.
Another good, possible the best place to park is just a couple hundred metres into the Jane Lakes FSR aka Cheakamus River FSR. Drive just a couple hundred metres in and you will spot an old gravel road on the right ascend steeply up into the forest with a trailhead sign for Trash Trail. There is room for a couple vehicles along the clearing next to the Trash Trail sign. The road from the sign 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(next to the Trash Trail sign). 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 minutes. The Whistler Train Wreck, of course is located just beyond the bridge.
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