Elaho-Jervis Divide

The Elaho-Jervis Divide lies in the southwestern portion of British Columbia. There are 9 named mountains in Elaho-Jervis Divide. The highest and the most prominent mountain is Ashlu Mountain standing at 8,389 feet. This small subrange, though near Squamish and Whistler, is not easily accessed.

The Elaho-Jervis Divide extends northwest from the Tantalus Range. Similar to the Tantalus Range, the divide is part of the Coast Mountains. The western side of the divide lies up against the many inlets of the Pacific Ocean along British Columbia. Here lie many unnamed peaks, valleys, and islands. Reaching the base of Ashlu Mountain was once possible along old logging roads. However, in recent decades the roads have been destroyed or washed out since they are no longer in service.

Major trails and hiking areas

There are no major hikes or designated trails throughout the Elaho-Jervis Divide. There are reports of climbing to the summit of Ashlu Mountain though the trip is quite long and maps are necessary. Getting to the base of Ashlu Mountain requires hikers to travel 13 miles across dangerous creeks and through Ashlu Creek valley before then beginning the ascent up the rugged mountain. Some climbers opt for helicopter rides to drop them off near the base in order to climb the mountain.

Major Cities

Squamish

Located an hour north of Vancouver, Squamish sits on the Howe Sound surrounded by mountains. The town is known for the Sea to Sky Gondola that provides views of the mountains, Howe Sound, and Shannon Falls. Squamish is often seen as an outdoor paradise with countless mountain biking, hiking, trail running, skiing, and watersports all nearby. Due to increased cost of living in both Vancouver and Whistler, the population of Squamish continues to grow.

Whistler

Located 90 minutes north of Vancouver, Whistler is a resort town located in the mountains. It is home to Whistler Blackcomb which is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. The town only has 13,000 residents but is busy year-round with tourists. Despite being known for the ski resort, the town is almost equally as popular in the summer months for hiking and mountain biking. Take the gondola to the top of the mountain and hike from there, or explore the numerous nearby glacier lakes.

Vancouver

Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada and the largest city in the entire province. While the city population is 603,000, the Vancouver metro area has a population of over 2,500,000. The city is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada. The mild climate of the city, along with its abundant access to lakes, trails, and mountains, makes it a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The city is close to three ski resorts, and an abundance of hiking, running, and mountain biking trails.