Chickadee Valley

Chickadee Valley is an unmarked winter out-and-back for snowshoes or cross-country skis, following a creek toward a meadow. Plan for about 10 km (6.2 miles) round trip and roughly three hours. That estimate assumes about 5 km each way to the reported meadow; no marker confirms a fixed endpoint. The creekside climb is most noticeable in the first kilometre, then the route eases through trees and opens to mountain views. This outing covers the valley bottom, not the separate climb toward Chickadee Peak; no maintained summer hiking route is established.

Start at the Great Divide parking lot on the south side of Highway 93, cross the road to the valley side, and look for faint tracks about 75 m beyond the highway. They weave among trees and can be hard to follow, so carry an offline map and navigation. Washrooms are available at the lot; bring food and water, as there are no services along the route. Dogs can join on leash and under control.

This route is not maintained. Parks Canada classifies the valley bottom as simple avalanche terrain and the slopes above it as complex; check the current avalanche bulletin and stay on the valley-floor outing described here. Early-season creek crossings can have open water, and the highway crossing needs care. Where trees open toward the mountains, leave some of the snow track in the foreground to show the route’s character.