David P. on Mt Currie:
“Participants: Doug I., Lisa S., Ingrid L., Sandra G., & myself
Driving Times & Distances: 2:45 hours from Park Royal South to Trailhead, with short driving break at Nestor’s Mall in Whistler. From Whistler, travel north on Hwy 99. Set odometer to zero @ Emerald Drive. Drive 14.7 km north, then turning right @ Pemberton Speedway (note no signs for the speedway). From the turn off backtrack southwardly direction on dirt roads for ~2.5 km to Green River Bridge, passing by the Pemberton Speedway oval along the way. The Forest Service Road (FSR) starts to climb to the left (northward). Continue ~ 1 km until spotting some old skis nailed to a sign-post. Trail begins here.
Hiking Times & Distances: It took us 3 hours hiking up to the Pemberton Overlook, keeping a good pace. The return was 2.5 hours down keeping good pace too. This well graded & laid out trail is thanks to the efforts of the Pemberton Valley Trails Association, in 2013. Grades are steady, climbing ~1100 metres from the valley to the Overlook, with several fine view points also along the way. We all enjoyed the newness of the trail with its abundance of organic material covering the roots and rocks. A pleasant contrast to the over-trodden & well rain-sluiced trails like the current BCMC Trail on Grouse. However, the slope is dry and made for some dusty conditions. Options for drinking water are limited, with only one clear creek 1/2 hour from the trailhead. The hiking time & distance to the peak of Mt. Currie would about twice that of getting to the Overlook.
There are two peaks to Mt. Currie. The first peak (lower) is easily visible from the Overlook. The main peak of Mt. Currie, itself, can be described as “ipsoot”, or occluded from the Overlook. “Ipsoot” is Chinook Jargon for “occluded or hidden”. Oddly, there are fine views to be had of Ipsoot Mountain and Glacier across the Green River Valley.
There was a slight delay near the trailhead as there was an active helicopter logging show. Quick turn-around times allowed us to see numerous logs slewed, dropped and stacked. The loggers were very nice and let us through when the ‘copter went to re-fuel. However there was no escaping the continuous sound of the “plop, plop, plop” of the Sikorsky’s rotors, for most of the day!