A short and simple post about the High Note Trail in Whistler, which as it turns out, is pretty bloody fantastic. Although I’ve explored Whistler extensively throughout the summer, I had never done the High Note Trail, except for bits of it, as we would typically venture further afield. It was also really nice to see the terrain, often covered in snow and viewed on skis, bare and open for hiking.

It makes for a brilliant trail run around the Whistler mountain tops, offering views over Cheakmus Lake (to the south), Fissile (to the east) and Blackcomb (to the north) on the other side of the valley.

From the Roundhouse Lodge at the top of the Whistler Gondola, we headed up Pika’s Traverse so we would end up passing through the cut in the glacier on Matthew’s Traverse, just below the summit of Harmony Chair.

Matthew’s Traverse, Whistler.

From the top of Harmony Chair, we continued along the ridge on Matthew’s Traverse before arriving at Whistler Peak chair and beginning the High Note Trail there. Dipping in and out of the clouds as we circumnavigated the Whistler mountains and bowls, the views would come and go. At times, we wouldn’t be able to see more than a few feet in front and couldn’t appreciate the drop into the valley…

In the clouds descending Whistler Peak

Running in the clouds on Whistler Mountain.

And at other times, we could see far over the flower-filled meadows as small creeks descended into the valley.

Whistler alpine meadows above Cheakamus Lake

Running the Whistler High Note Trail

Getting a glimpse of Cheakamus Lake

Dropping into Flute bowl on a (cloudy) summer’s day

Symphony bowl in the summer

Leaping across creeks in Symphony bowl, Whistler.

Looking South up at the whole of Symphony Bowl, Whistler.

Leaving Symphony bowl en route to Harmony.

Harmony Lake, Harmony Bowl, Whistler.

Highly recommend High Note Trail to anyone wanting to get a good view of Whistler and the surrounding area. Makes for a great high-altitude training trail run too.

Map of the area and route, here.