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Ford Mountain

] @Chilliwack River Vedder Bridge turn left and follow the river east for about 28.5 kilometres
] turn left on the Ford Mountain Forest Service Road. This is just past the "Ford Mountain Correctional Institution?; there will be a large sign for the "prison". Then you'll cross the Chilliwack river one more time and look for the FSR on the left, a bit further.
] The trail is accessed by about 4.3 kilometres of steep logging road. The last 2/3 km require a 4x4. Add about an hour or so if you choose to hike the road through two small cut-blocks. In the fall the roadside is covered with fireweed and is quite pleasant so it's not all that bad to walk where most will drive.
] Note: If you are driving up the road, you'll notice you come to a locked gate on the main logging road. (2013-06) beleive the gate has been removed ) Some might be tempted to park here and continue walking along the 'main' road, but don't do that. Looking back and left of the gate, you will see a narrower 4x4 road rise steeply away. This is your route. Maybe 500 meters up this road, the hike starts, as one would expect, on a steep single-track trail.

] The trail begins with a Chilliwack Forest Service map (no longer present - see below) andfollows square orange trail markers steeply through mountain hemlock groves.]
] After about a half hour we came up to a view spot from the top of some rock bluffs. The spot is actually off the trail a little ways but caught my eye through the trees.
] In another hour or so you should reach the 1421m summit. When you finish climbing the switchbacks that get you up the mountain, you'll think, where is the peak area for my 360-degree views. You'll get those, but not until walking a few kilometers along the ridge to the actual peak where the old concrete posts are. There are even some alpine flowers up top, in the peak area
] Note: The trail continues 5km along the ridge (beyond the viewpoint) to join Williams Ridge trail).

] To the north lays the Cheam Range with Welch (2377m) and Foley (2286m) the highest peaks to the east. Directly across the Chilliwack River to the south, the Nesakwatch Creek Valley with Slesse Mountain (2377m) at its headwaters stands dominant. Looking over to Slesse Mountain its famed NE Buttress directly faces you.

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ID: 192

NAME: ford-mountain

DESCRIPTION: A short but steep hike with not many views along the way, but a fairly good view once you reach the summit.

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PRIORITY: -5

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