The Stawamus Chief (often referred to as simply The Chief) is a colossal dome of granitic rock located adjacent to the town of Squamish, British Columbia. At over 700 metres above sea level, it towers proudly over the waters of nearby Howe Sound. Although it is not, as is often claimed, the "second largest granite monolith in the world",[1] the Chief still is truly an awe-inspiring sight.

Many millions of years ago, the Chief was initially formed when a huge bubble of molten magma solidified far below the surface of the Earth. Over the course of untold thousands of years, enormous geological forces acted on the solidified bubble of rock, bringing it closer to the surface. Eventually it emerged--directly in the path of a highly active ice age glacier. For hundreds of years the Chief was continually scoured and ground down by the ice. This glacial scouring produced the rounded edges and polished rock surfaces we see at the Chief today. The glacial ice also helped erode the deep gullies that divide the Chief's several summit areas. Ultimately, the glaciers retreated and the Chief was revealed at last--clean, barren, and immaculate.

This was my major hike for 2006 (August) though I have done this hike before. Accompanying me are my brother, cousin, and friends. This is quite a difficult hike for me - not because it is that physically challenging, but more because I am terrified of heights. Difficulty-wise, it is not that much more difficult than the Grouse Grind, but the trail up and the view at the top are much more enjoyable. Round-trip is only about 4 hours - quite doable for last minute day hike.