Mount James Walker (Light Scrambling) (Helmet Mandatory) (Keep Bear Spray Handy)

Trail Name: Mount James Walker (Click the link for the AllTrails route.)
Difficulty: Very-Hard
Trailhead meet-up time: Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 8:30am
Location: Chester/Sawmill Cross Country Ski Trailhead (Click the link for the parking lot location.)

NOTE: *Attendance* - I may add or remove any attendee at my own discretion. Your answer to the event question will be taken into account. Preference will be given to individuals with a good attendance record.

NOTE: Difficulty - Very-Hard - This hike is a essentially a long walk with a scree grind at the end. Elevation gain is generally gradual, but the scree section at the end is steep and loose in some parts. Cumulative elevation gain is about 1350 metres. You should be comfortable with ascending on steep scree slopes.

NOTE: Weather and Hike Day - All hike days are subject to change depending on the weather and avalanche conditions.

Mount James Walker sits at the end of a secluded valley above James Walker Creek. The approach trail is beautiful in its own right, with a lake, waterfall and tarns along the way. We caught a glimpse of this mountain from the top of Kent Ridge North earlier in May - let's go and climb it!

Trail Details
Distance: Approx. 21 km (Out and Back)
Elevation gain: Approx. 1350 meters
Time: Approx. 8.5 hours (including breaks)

Trail Description: From the parking lot, we will follow the standard trail up James Walker Creek. We will eventually reach James Walker Lake, and go around it on climber's right. At the other end of the lake, we will have a steeper forest section to ascend up to the headwall guarding the upper valley. We will make our way around the headwall into the upper valley.

Once in the upper valley, we will walk past the tarn into the upper scree bowl. The first scree slope will take us to a Col between Mount James Walker and Mount Inflexible. From the Col, the scree slope steepens, with some loose rocks in the mix. We will simply walk up the scree to the summit, taking care to not kick down rocks.

Trail Name: Mount James Walker (Click the link for the AllTrails route.)
Difficulty: Very-Hard
Trailhead meet-up time: Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 8:30am
Location: Chester/Sawmill Cross Country Ski Trailhead (Click the link for the parking lot location.)

NOTE: *Attendance* - I may add or remove any attendee at my own discretion. Your answer to the event question will be taken into account. Preference will be given to individuals with a good attendance record.

NOTE: Difficulty - Very-Hard - This hike is a essentially a long walk with a scree grind at the end. Elevation gain is generally gradual, but the scree section at the end is steep and loose in some parts. Cumulative elevation gain is about 1350 metres. You should be comfortable with ascending on steep scree slopes.

NOTE: Weather and Hike Day - All hike days are subject to change depending on the weather and avalanche conditions.

Mount James Walker sits at the end of a secluded valley above James Walker Creek. The approach trail is beautiful in its own right, with a lake, waterfall and tarns along the way. We caught a glimpse of this mountain from the top of Kent Ridge North earlier in May - let's go and climb it!

Trail Details
Distance: Approx. 21 km (Out and Back)
Elevation gain: Approx. 1350 meters
Time: Approx. 8.5 hours (including breaks)

Trail Description: From the parking lot, we will follow the standard trail up James Walker Creek. We will eventually reach James Walker Lake, and go around it on climber's right. At the other end of the lake, we will have a steeper forest section to ascend up to the headwall guarding the upper valley. We will make our way around the headwall into the upper valley.

Once in the upper valley, we will walk past the tarn into the upper scree bowl. The first scree slope will take us to a Col between Mount James Walker and Mount Inflexible. From the Col, the scree slope steepens, with some loose rocks in the mix. We will simply walk up the scree to the summit, taking care to not kick down rocks.

RECOMMENDED GEAR & SUPPLIES

• *bear spray - this area is frequented by both Black and Grizzly bears*
• bug spray - expecting more bugs this year due to wet weather
  - hiking poles - useful on steep slopes while ascending and descending
  - hat/cap
  - sunscreen
  - light gloves - cooler temperatures, especially in the morning
  - Clothing - Mid Summer - Dressing in layers is key so you can adjust to avoid overheating. Lighter wool/polyester clothing is still recommended along with a light jacket/windbreaker. Cotton clothing and jeans are not good.
  - personal first aid kit
  - snacks/lunch
  - water (2 litres recommended. Many water sources available - James Walker Creek lower down, waterfall and tarns higher up - I can give refills with my water filter if required.)

Ride Sharing:
Typical rideshare fee for this hike: $20.