Mount MacFarlane and Pierce Lakes

August 25, 2023

Distance: 18km round-trip

Elevation gain: 1820m

Time required: 8-9 hours total

Mount MacFarlane (and Pierce Lakes found along the way) is a hidden gem of the Fraser Valley.

It was a bit smoky the day I did this hike. Wildfires and the smoke from them have unfortunately become a normal part of each summer. Like much of the world, BC sees more intense and more frequent wildfires every year. This summer was particularly bad due to prolonged drought conditions from unseasonably dry and warm weather. It has barely rained a single day in the past 4 months. For a place that gets a lot of rain, it has been rather strange.

The trailhead is off of the south side of Chilliwack Lake Road. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow. It climbs steadily and relentlessly for a long time. It finally levels out once reaching Pierce Lake.

Pierce Lake. Mount MacFarlane looms on the left

Pierce Lake is a popular place to camp. There are remnants of campsites and there is even a dock. From Pierce Lake, the trail continues eastwards and after just over an hour, you reach Upper Pierce Lake.

Upper Pierce Lake below Mount MacFarlane

I absolutely love mushrooms. I am a big forager. A beautiful amanita I found near Upper Pierce Lake

As I was making my way to Upper Pierce Lake, a female sooty grouse suddenly ran out of the bushes in front of me. I absolutely love grouse. For some reason, I have a special soft spot for them and I adore seeing them in the backcountry.

Once reaching Upper Pierce Lake, it is a pretty short climb to the summit of Mount MacFarlane.

Looking down on Pierce Lake from the summit of Mount MacFarlane

The borderland peaks

Looking east towards the tall rocky point of Mount Slesse hidden in the back

Looking down on Upper Pierce Lake

As I was hiking across boulders on my way back towards Pierce Lake, I could hear something moving amongst the rocks. I could only see flashes of something big, furry, and rodent-like. I didn't understand what it could be until I saw it clearly. It was a hoary marmot! They have a really distinctive and interesting vocalization that they make.

A cute hoary marmot hanging out on the boulders

I love seeing wildlife. I have a huge amount of interest in and respect for wildlife. It is us that encroaches on their homes, not the other way around. I always aim to create as little disturbance as possible. Almost nothing upsets me more than seeing garbage and human-caused destruction on trails, especially in the backcountry. It demonstrates an utter disrespect for nature and a clear lack of awareness of one's place in the wider ecosystem.

It took me 3 hours and 15 minutes to get back to the trailhead from the summit of Mount MacFarlane. Overall, this is a wonderful hike. It is not super technical, only long and with significant elevation gain. Well worth the effort.