July 8th, 2020: One of Whistler's most impressive drive-to mountain lakes, Madeley Lake is accessible once again. It appears a large public outcry forced, or at least embarrassed Whistler Olympic Park into opening the gate that was installed in the springtime barring public access. They have also removed the sign on the gate warning that entering the area is considered trespassing. Whistler Sport Legacies managed to gain control over this road in recent years by arguing the necessity to groom it in the winter.
June 13th, 2020: One of Callaghan Valley's beautiful places appears to be now blocked from the public. Madeley Lake, about as perfectly idyllic a lake can possibly get, and home to a wonderful, secluded, free and decades old campsite, is now blocked by a locked gate. Whistler Olympic Park, which was constructed for the 2010 Olympics resides at the end of Callaghan Road. Madeley Lake is found in the beautiful wilderness beyond, at the end of an old logging road.
January 1st, 2020: Happy new year in Whistler and the snow is finally falling. We have winter down sleeping bags for rent that are incredibly compact, lightweight and very, very, very, very warm! Our sleeping bags are rated to -12c/10f!! We also rent MSR Evo Elite snowshoes which are about as good as it gets for snowshoes. Well designed, easy to use and very comfortable, Evo Ascent snowshoes are ideal for Whistler's beautiful snowshoe trails!
December 21st, 2019: Way up in the Callaghan Valley on the back side of Mount Sproatt is an abandoned gold mine. Old cement foundations and two unexpectedly beautiful lakes mark the location of Northair Mine, abandoned in 1982. For about 5 years it was a fairly productive gold mine that extracted 5 tons of gold. Largely forgotten for years, in the last decade it has come to life with colour of graffiti artists and muralist.
October 22nd, 2019: The Cal-Cheak campground just south of Whistler sits in a tranquil, huge tree forest, nestled between Callaghan Creek and Cheakamus River. Both Callaghan Creek and Cheakamus River are huge and chaotic torrents of turquoise water that surround the campground on three sides. Cal-Cheak Recreation Site is divided into three campsite areas, Callaghan Camp is adjacent to Callaghan Creek, the North Camp is along Cheakamus River, and the South Camp has both merging around it.
Oct 10th, 2019: Jane Lakes consist of three lakes that are well hidden in the vast wilderness adjacent to Whistler’s Interpretive Forest. West Jane Lake, East Jane Lake and Little Jane Lake are all so engulfed in the forest that they remain unseen until just a few metres away from the shore. So hidden in fact, that when you do catch a glimpse of West Jane Lake, the biggest of the three, you can’t help but be shocked at the sudden sprawling view.
Sept 25th, 2019: Newt Lake is a fantastic, emerald coloured and very hidden lake up on the far side of Cougar Mountain. In the busy summer months you are not likely to see anyone on the trail or at the lake. In the much quieter fall months, you almost certainly won’t. The unmarked trailhead is found at the end of the Ancient Cedars trail between the “TREES IN THE ANCIENT CEDARS… DOUGLAS-FIR” info board and the bridge.
Sept 11th, 2019: The notoriously difficult biking trail in the wilderness between Emerald Forest and Rainbow Park is a pretty fun place to wander around. It zig-zags through the deep stretch of forest with Alta Lake Road along one side and the train tracks and the River of Golden Dreams on the other. A River Runs Through It, or ARRTI as it is more affectionately called by the locals who love it, is buried in such a thick forest that you often only see slivers of sky above and wandering off the trail leads you to bizarre and beautiful places.
May 16th, 2019: The Prism mural can be found perched at the edge of Cheakamus River near the Whistler Train Wreck suspension bridge. After you cross the bridge and approach Whistler Train Wreck you see an information board and the first two wrecked and marvellously painted boxcars. The one on the left has the beautiful Hidden Agenda mural painted inside, painted by Kris Kupskay(aka: Kups) in 2011. On the boxcar on the right, and on other side you will find the beautiful mural of a cartoonish character staring at a prism.
May 10th, 2019: Whistler Train Wreck is home to several stunning murals painted on the old wrecked boxcars. Mixed with graffiti art, some of murals stand out from the rest. In 2014 a beautiful mural was painted at Whistler Train Wreck in an unmistakably Salish style. A killer whale stretches in an abrupt arc with other surreal looking animal faces meshed along the body. Framed by a pink border and a large, golden sun-like disk behind, the brightly designed mural stands out sharply against the mess of graffiti covering the rest of the boxcar.
May 8th, 2019: After crossing the bridge to Whistler Train Wreck you come to the Hidden Agenda car and sloping down to the edge overlooking Cheakamus River is the Prism Car. The next wrecked boxcar you come to is the Mic Man car. This train wreck turned canvas is the most painted car in all of Whistler Train Wreck. It first came to life with brilliant colour back in 2011, when Kris Kupskay(aka: Kups) painted a brilliantly surreal, cartoonish mural of a zombie-like man singing into a microphone.
May 5th, 2019: The summer of 2011 was the time when some local Whistler artists ventured into the wilderness between the crashing Cheakamus River and train tracks that cut through the middle of Whistler. Of the marvellous works of art that were painted that summer, Kris Kupskay(aka: Kups) has the most impressive and long lasting murals in Whistler Train Wreck. One bizarre and beautiful mural hides further out from the other wrecked train cars.
May 3rd, 2019: The beautiful murals that make Whistler Train Wreck the magical place it is today, began appearing in 2011. Artists ranging from aspiring graffiti artists that mostly remain unnamed, to tremendously gifted professional mural artists like Kris Kupskay. Kris Kupskay(aka: Kups) is a prolific mural artist with stunning works that can be seen all over Whistler and the lower mainland. One of his hauntingly beautiful murals can be found inside the first boxcar you come to after crossing the bridge into Whistler Train Wreck.
April 29th, 2019: Back in 2011 a group of Whistler artists met at Whistler Train Wreck and transformed it from a bland array of wrecked train cars into a stunning, surreal art exhibit. The seven mangled train wrecks lay scattered in the forest along Cheakamus River for decades, before being brought to life by talented Whistler mural artists. The Train Wreck Paint Jam, an all day, all night graffiti artist party organized by Chili Thom and Kris Kupskay.
April 8th, 2019: The Rubble Creek trailhead to Garibaldi Provincial Park is finally accessible by car. The snow buried access road is mostly free of snow. Just a few short patches of snow that most cars shouldn't have a problem getting past. The top parking area is currently closed and under construction. Piles of cut trees are stacked up in the parking lot and the large trailhead information board has been cut down and lays partway down the parking lot on its side.
October 20th, 2018: A little knowledge before you head out into the wilderness is a good idea. Especially if you are new to hiking or in unknown terrain. Planning a suitable hike is a great first step is having a great hike. Bringing along extra clothing and food is a great idea and having a first aid kit will help you with any troubles you may encounter. Courtesy and hiking etiquette is an important factor as well. Leaving no trace and packing out what you pack in are paramount to keeping the wilderness wild.
October 21th, 2018: Pack smart by putting heavier items close to your back and higher up your pack. Be organized and think of keeping important things easily accessible. Having an accessible sweater makes you more likely to not put off your comfort by difficulty in finding it. Familiarize yourself with your gear before you go. Setting up your tent in the living room will ensure you have all the parts and know where to put them.
September 20th, 2018: Alexander Falls, high up in the Callaghan Valley in Whistler has some interesting historical murals and a mysterious plaque. The information board with as short history of the areas surrounding the falls, complete with museum-like pictures of the regions logging history. One depicts, "A Land of Giants" and describes, with photos, how incredibly huge trees were cut down and moved. One picture from 1910, shows 10 men sitting on an enormous, felled tree and looking tiny by comparison.
