One of my fav hikes from this year! A full day adventure that ended with some sunburnt calves and a DQ blizzard for dinner.
The Armchair Traverse is a full-day Class 3/4 scramble starting from the Wedgemount Lake trailhead near Whistler, BC. It’s about 22 km with roughly 2,337 m of elevation gain, so this is a pretty big day out! It will be long and challenging, but the scenery is ridiculously stunning from start to finish.
Getting There
The Armchair Traverse is in the Wedgemount Lake area, just north of Whistler. It’s about a 1-hour drive from Squamish or roughly 2.5 hours from Vancouver, depending on traffic. From Highway 99, you’ll turn off toward Wedgemount Lake and follow the access road to the trailhead parking lot. It’s a well maintained road, and any old car will do.
The Hike
We started from the Wedgemount Lake trailhead and made our way up toward Wedgemount Lake before continuing into the alpine, doing the traverse clockwise. Once you get up high, the views just keep getting better – turquoise lakes, glaciers, huge mountain faces, and 360 views of the surrounding ranges.
The traverse itself involves a mix of hiking, scrambling and some more technical Class 3/4 terrain. There are sections where you’re climbing over loose rock and picking your way along the ridge, so this is definitely a route where you want to be comfortable with scrambling and exposed terrain.
A Few Things To Note
There are a couple of things I’d definitely keep in mind if you’re planning this route.
Bring plenty of water and/or a water filter. You can re-fill at the lake and in the streams below the ridge, but once you’re up on the ridge there are no water sources, so make sure to load up before heading into the higher sections.
Be prepared for loose rock. The descent was particularly tricky in spots, with a lot of loose rock, so take your time and watch your footing.
This is a BIG day. Our total elapsed time was just under 12 hours, with about 9 hours of moving time. We covered 22.18 km and gained 2,337 m of elevation. Don’t underestimate the mountain or the conditions. Pack sun protection, wind protection, and lots of food!
If you wanted to make it more manageable, you can also camp at Wedgemount Lake and split the adventure over two days.
What We Brought
For a day this long, food and hydration were obviously important.
Our snacks included:
- Maple drink
- Sandwiches
- Meat sticks
- BONK bars
- Candy
For gear, we had:
- Helmet: Petzl Meteora
- Watch: Garmin fēnix 7S
- Pack: Nathan Hydration Vest
- Shoes: Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX
- Extras: Katadyn BeFree water filter, first aid kit
All of my gear is linked here: Armchair Traverse Gear.
Safety, Ethics & Trail Etiquette
- Respect the Mountain: Class 3/4 terrain and loose scree mean objective hazards like rockfall and sudden weather shifts are very real. Wear a helmet, bring the 10 Essentials, and remember that respecting the mountain means knowing your limits! Turning back is always a brave and valid choice.
- Leave No Trace: Alpine ecosystems are extremely fragile and can take decades to recover from damage. Stay on rock or durable surfaces, pack out all garbage (including food scraps), and leave the trail better than you found it.
- Wildlife Etiquette: As cute as those alpine marmots are, never feed them or leave food unattended. Respect their home by keeping a safe distance to keep them wild.
- Indigenous Territory: This route is located within the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat) Nations. Recreate respectfully and mindfully.
The Stats
According to my Strava:
Distance: 22.18 km
Elevation gain: 2,337 m
Moving time: 9:06:39
Elapsed time: 11:53:10
Calories: 4,090
Steps: 41,924
Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely.
This was one of my favourite adventures of the year. It’s a big commitment and definitely not an easy hike, but the combination of scrambling, alpine terrain and the views made it completely worth it.
Quick Details
Location: Wedgemount Lake Trailhead, Whistler, BC
Distance: ~22 km
Elevation gain: ~2,337 m
Difficulty: Class 3/4 scramble
Time: Full-day adventure
Best for: Experienced hikers/scramblers comfortable with long days and exposed, technical terrain
Here’s the recap on IG:
