Cheam Peak, called Theeth-uhl-kay in the Halqemeylem language of the and usually referred to as Mount Cheam, is the furthest northerly peak of the Skagit Range of the North Cascades mountains. It dominates the Eastern Fraser Valley, rising above Bridal Falls and Agassiz just east of Chilliwack, and west of Hope British Columbia. The north face, plunging 2000m to the Valley floor, has rarely been climbed. However, an easy trail provides access to the summit from a subalpine bowl to the southwest.

Description

Cheam's structure is pyramidal, with north, northwest, south and east faces. While the north face is the steepest, the northwest face is also sheer. A prominent spur ending in the sub peak called "Red Pyramid" or "Red Tower" (1400m) divides the two northern faces. The western ridge divides the northwest and south faces; below the gently sloping south face is the subalpine bowl of Spoon Lake. The southeast ridge ascends from the col with Lady Peak, two km to the southeast; Jones Lake is below the east face. A sharp ridge divides the east and north faces.

History

Cheam Peak was part of the oral history of the First Nation. The Halkomelem name for the peak, Theeth-uhl-kay, means "the source" or "the place from which the waters spring." For the Sto:lo, the peak is the "mother mountain" or old woman overlooking her children dwelling in the valley. Lady Peak, to the south is the old woman's dog. Cheam, the official name of the peak, is the Halkomelem word for "wild strawberries." This describes the ridge that includes Cheam and Lady Peaks, and the lower slopes around Spoon Lake and upper Airplane Creek.

The first recorded ascent of the mountain was in 1888 by A. O. Campbell, Ebe B. Knight and party.

Hiking

The trailhead to Cheam Peak, is via decommissioned logging roads accessible from Chilliwack Lake Road on the south side of Cheam. Good directions are necessary as the route is difficult and confusing. Access with a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended. From the trailhead, a 3.8 km trail leads through subalpine meadows and then ascends, moderately steeply, 632 m to the peak. The summit offers views of the Fraser Valley to the north and west and of the Cheam Range and North Cascade mountains to the south.

External links

• Cheam Peak Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia.
• a Hike to the top of Cheam Peak