Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, Provincial park near Squamish, Canada.
Stawamus Chief is a provincial park with a massive granite monolith that rises directly from the Sea to Sky Highway, reaching 710 meters in height. The formation offers three distinct peaks with different hiking and climbing routes suited to varying skill levels.
The park was established in 1997 to protect over 500 hectares of forest and granite formations in British Columbia's coastal mountains. Its creation reflected growing conservation efforts in the region during the 1990s.
The name comes from the First Nations village of St-a-wamus, linking visitors to the original people of this land. This indigenous heritage shapes how the place feels when you walk through it.
The park has designated camping spots, restroom facilities, water stations, and a parking lot located about two kilometers south of Squamish. Access is available year-round, though hiking conditions are best during the warmer months.
The granite cliffs are home to peregrine falcons that nest in the rock faces and can be spotted by climbers during their ascents. These birds of prey are a regular sight and display impressive aerial movements along the slopes.
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