Slesse North West Face Access

[cheamclimber]

Hey, I'm planning on doing the NW Face of Slesse next weekend but I cant find any info on how to get to the trailhead and what the trail is like...we're planning on doing it as a day trip I'm assuming that with an early start this isn't too hard, is it?

[kurthicks]

read the recent trip reports for the NE buttress... take LOTS of water as there is none once you leave the old logging road.

[G-spotter]

 

Kurt, the NE Butt approach is the wrong side of the mountain for the NW Face. The NW Face is approached via Slesse Creek.

[kurthicks]

duh. look at the descent information.

[Don_Serl]

hey cc, i second what dru says - there's no mystery to the approach - it's all in the guide.

the start of the trail is at about 580m, and the summit is 2429m, so it's about 1850m (just over 6000 ft), plus it's steep for much of the first 1100m, and dry by mid-summer...

so, don't rush, and take plenty of water. i've daytripped it 2 or 3 times, and it's the only way to go - much more sensible than lugging an overnite pack up to the knoll.

plus u can snag the route in a single (good) day when the weather is otherwise unsettled.

it's a wonderful climb, so enjoy your day.

cheers, don

 

[cheamclimber]

thanks guys...I was just confused on hjow to get to the trailhead because ive never seen a logging road leaving the road after Slesse Creek. Do you take the road before you cross slesse creek and then take a left turn or waht??

[G-spotter]

no, that gets you to mcguire.

 

you go up the hill and then right through the army firing range area.

[gertlush]

Don't forget to duck!

[cheamclimber]

oh, okay I'm gonna take a look in the backroad mapbook and see if I can figure it out.

[clintcummins]

Like Kurt said, there are good maps/descriptions in the 9/12 and 9/12 NE Buttress TRs (because most people drive up the Slesse Creek Road first to stash a car or maybe bikes):

 

 

And as Dru said, cross Slesse Creek on the Chilliwack Lake Road, and go to the top of the first hill, for the turnoff onto the Slesse Creek Road on the right (there is also a gated chain link fence at this turnoff with the sign "55400 Chilliwack Lake Road"). To recast his other point, on the map above, for the NW Face you want the "Slesse Mountain Trail" (which leaves the Slesse Creek Road), not the "Slesse Memorial Trail" (from Nesakwatch Creek Road).

[cheamclimber]

Thanks..that helps a lot. I'm really excited for this climb!