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Blackcomb Mountain Loop (Blackcomb Meadows, Alpine, Overlord, Lakeside, and Decker Trails.)
Hiking Trail
Hard
5.92 mi
1,719 ft
Linkup of all the best hiking trails on Blackcomb Mountain.
Blackcomb Mountain, though skied all over in the winter, is less well known for hiking. Some lifts remain open in the summer (fee required) to take hikers on a scenic fast track to trails high above Whistler Valley.
At this elevation, right on the cusp of treeline, the views are nonstop. Hiking among flower-speckled meadows, snowfields, and groves of spruce, you might feel that it’s all just floating in the sky as you gaze across a seemingly-bottomless expanse to distant snowy peaks.
At this time there aren't a huge number of marked trails on the mountain, though more may be in the works. That said, a rewarding half- to full-day excursion can be had by linking the best trails that currently exist. It begins at the top of the lifts near Rendezvous Lodge and makes a loop with Alpine, Overlord, Lakeside, and Decker Trails.
The trail quickly leaves the busy lodge area for a sunny mountainside forest of scattered spruce and fir trees. A rocky section transitions to more expansive views through sparse trees and rocky clearings on Overlord Trail. Lakeside Loop begins from a 5-way trail junction beneath a chairlift, then crosses a few ski runs on its way to Blackcomb Lake. This small, clear lake sits in a rock-strewn meadow with a view to Whistler Mountain on one side and the dark cliff bands of Blackcomb Peak towering on the other.
Hike a quick downhill along a trickling brook to rejoin Overlord Trail, which continues through meadows and stands of spruce, with constant eyefuls of mountains all around.
Soon comes a fork where Decker Loop begins. This steeper and more rugged trail leads higher into the alpine, switchbacking up a barren ridgeline of Blackcomb Peak and reaching a small tarn on its flank. Snowfields may persist along this section well into the summer.
For an easier alternative, skip Decker Loop and stick to the much flatter Overlord Trail, which reaches the same tarn in a more gradual but less visually-dramatic climb. The tarn marks the turnaround point, where you’ll return on Overlord Trail and Alpine Walk to complete the loop.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Blackcomb Mountain, though skied all over in the winter, is less well known for hiking. Some lifts remain open in the summer (fee required) to take hikers on a scenic fast track to trails high above Whistler Valley.
At this elevation, right on the cusp of treeline, the views are nonstop. Hiking among flower-speckled meadows, snowfields, and groves of spruce, you might feel that it’s all just floating in the sky as you gaze across a seemingly-bottomless expanse to distant snowy peaks.
At this time there aren't a huge number of marked trails on the mountain, though more may be in the works. That said, a rewarding half- to full-day excursion can be had by linking the best trails that currently exist. It begins at the top of the lifts near Rendezvous Lodge and makes a loop with Alpine, Overlord, Lakeside, and Decker Trails.
The trail quickly leaves the busy lodge area for a sunny mountainside forest of scattered spruce and fir trees. A rocky section transitions to more expansive views through sparse trees and rocky clearings on Overlord Trail. Lakeside Loop begins from a 5-way trail junction beneath a chairlift, then crosses a few ski runs on its way to Blackcomb Lake. This small, clear lake sits in a rock-strewn meadow with a view to Whistler Mountain on one side and the dark cliff bands of Blackcomb Peak towering on the other.
Hike a quick downhill along a trickling brook to rejoin Overlord Trail, which continues through meadows and stands of spruce, with constant eyefuls of mountains all around.
Soon comes a fork where Decker Loop begins. This steeper and more rugged trail leads higher into the alpine, switchbacking up a barren ridgeline of Blackcomb Peak and reaching a small tarn on its flank. Snowfields may persist along this section well into the summer.
For an easier alternative, skip Decker Loop and stick to the much flatter Overlord Trail, which reaches the same tarn in a more gradual but less visually-dramatic climb. The tarn marks the turnaround point, where you’ll return on Overlord Trail and Alpine Walk to complete the loop.
Sources:
Written by Jesse Weber
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| gondola to lake | 1.43 mi | 180 ft | 0.5% |
| Lakeside Loop | 0.87 mi | -217 ft | -2.7% |
| Segment | 0.77 mi | 692 ft | 16.8% |
| Decker Loop | 1.97 mi | -696 ft | -0.4% |
| Decker climb | 0.50 mi | 679 ft | 25.2% |
| Tarn down, return to trail intersect | 1.68 mi | -315 ft | -1.3% |
| Unnamed Rd Climb | 0.76 mi | 371 ft | 9.1% |