Macdonald Peak

Macdonald Peak in Chilliwack is a serious grind with a huge payoff. This 21.6 km out-and-back with around 1764 m of gain feels more like a big European alpine day than a casual Fraser Valley hike. It’s rated very difficult for a reason: long forest approach, steep scrambling, and loose rock, but the summit views over Radium Lake, Mount Webb, and the Chilliwack River valley are on another level.

The trail follows the Radium Lake route first, a shaded, steady slog through forest that many people call long and a bit dull, but it sets you up nicely for the good stuff. Once you hit the alpine and the saddle between Webb and Macdonald Peak, the terrain opens up into boulders, heather, and scree with multiple route options and fun, unexposed class 3 moves near the top. Expect some routefinding once the main trail fades, lots of loose gravel, and hands-on scrambling, but also huge panoramas and sunrise or sunset views that people keep calling some of the best in Chilliwack.

Current reports say the trail is well marked to the shoulder and Radium Lake, then becomes more of a choose-your-own-adventure through boulder fields and gravel, so a GPS track or map is strongly recommended. Water is available at creeks and through the talus below the col, but bugs can be brutal in summer around the lake and at camp, so bring spray and maybe a head net. Strong hikers can do Macdonald Peak in a long day, but many camp at the col to tag both Webb and Macdonald; late July through September is usually best, when snow patches are minimal and avoidable and you don’t need an ice axe or microspikes in normal conditions.