Route: Blackcomb Mountain
Area: British Columbia, Canada
Date of walk: 24th August 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.3 miles
Ascent: 1,100 feet
Weather: Sunny and very hot (30c+)
Yesterday’s wonderful walk on Whistler Mountain inspired us to plan a walk on its neighbour, Blackcomb Mountain. We upgraded the Summer Alpine Experience tickets we’d used yesterday and this gave us another full day’s use of the chair lift and gondola system which gives access to the mountain trails. From Whistler Village we took the Blackcomb Gondola up to Rendezvous Lodge at a height of 6,069 feet. Blackcomb Peak is another 2,000 feet higher but isn’t a place for your average walker
A number of trails start from the lodge, and we set out on the waymarked Overlord Trail, which is the main connecting route to all of Blackcomb’s hiking trails. The path was wide and easy at first but soon became quite rough and narrow. After a while we diverted along the Lakeside Loop which passed by Blackcomb Lake and rejoined the Overlord Trail further along. As we walked through the alpine meadows (by now past peak flowering time), a marmot crossed the path just in front of us
The Overlord Trail continued to contour around the mountainside as far as Decker Tarn, a glacial alpine lake which is set in a heavenly position with Blackcomb Peak towering overhead. From the tarn, we could have carried on via the Decker Loop but this requires a stiff climb and the weather was roasting. We were content to retrace our steps along the Overlord Trail. The views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers were sensational every step of the way and this was another wonderful walk in the Whistler area
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The Blackcomb Gondola base station in Blackcomb, Whistler
A few minutes later we disembark at a height of 6,000 feet
The start of several trails which start from Rendezvous Lodge
The start of the Overlord Trail
The Overlord Glacier on the left
We cross over a boulder field as the path becomes narrower and rockier
Whistler Mountain, where we walked yesterday, right of picture. To its left are Piccolo, Flute and Oboe
The unmistakeable outline of Black Tusk in the distance
We continue along the path towards Overlord Mountain and its glacier...
We leave the Overlord Trail briefly to divert around the Lakeside Loop
Blackcomb Lake below Blackcomb Peak
Memorial cairn by the lake
The Overlord Glacier again
Looking back to Blackcomb Peak
We continue along the Lakeside Loop, which will rejoin the Overlord Trail further down
Blackcomb Peak again
Further along the trial
A marmot crosses the path just in front of us
The Decker Loop ascends the ridge ahead, but a friendly local advised that the views from the Overlord Trail are just as good, so we took his advice and avoided a stiff climb in roasting temperatures
Decker Tarn at the far end of the Overlord Trail
The tarn is a glacial alpine lake
The Overlord Glacier
We retrace our steps along the Overlord Trail
Black Tusk again
The Fitzsimmons Glacier
Blackcomb Peak on our left...
Almost back to the start
Green Lake and Alta Lake below
We arrive back at Rendezvous Lodge and decide to return via the record breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Aboard the gondola as it crossed the deep valley between Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains - a great end to a great day
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