High Falls Creek Trail

High Falls Creek Trail in Squamish is the scrappy, less-crowded cousin to the Chief. This 8.4 km loop packs in about 547 m of gain, some hands-on climbing, and close-up waterfall action, but without the usual Squamish weekend traffic. It’s rated challenging for good reason, so expect a workout and give yourself more than the “average” 1 hour 49 minutes unless you move very fast.

The loop starts off fairly tame and then ramps up quickly into steep forest with chains and ropes to help you scramble alongside High Falls Creek. There are multiple viewpoints of the falls and the river valley, with rock worn into wild shapes by the water, plus a few more lookouts as you gain the ridge. After the technical section, the trail eases into quieter forest before you pop out on the forest service road and follow it back with big open views down the Squamish Valley.

Recent hikers say the Squamish Valley Road and the spur to the High Falls Creek Trail trailhead are potholed but manageable for most cars, with very limited parking right across from the start. The route can be confusing with fading or misleading flagging, so download a GPS map and follow it, especially around junctions. Expect exposure, slippery edges near the waterfall, and some route-finding, plus a dusty walk on the FSR on dry days; late spring through fall is best, and many people prefer to hike up the technical section and descend via the road to avoid downclimbing the steep chains.