Vancouver Day 3: Train Wreck Hike

During our extended rest stop in Squamish, we were told about the Train Wreck Trail in Function Junction, a small town just south of Whistler built so the locals who work at the resort have affordable places to shop and eat. After our hike we drove around Function Junction. It is utilitarian, not nearly as flashy as Whistler, but as functional as its name suggests.

Back in 1956 there was a train wreck of a log train (fortunately not a passenger train). According to the Whistler Museum's website, the train had four engines. It was too heavy to get through this section, so they stopped to move things around. As a result they were running behind schedule, so the engineer decided to pick up speed. The speed limit in that section was 15 mph, but instead they travelled at 35 mph. The fourth engine hit a rail and toppled. Twelve cars came off the tracks. The train company salvaged five, and left behind seven box cars.   

When the Valleau family bought the land, they used heavy equipment to move the cars. 

Over time the rusty box cars have become an unofficial art gallery for local graffiti artists. The mile-long hike to them is considered easy. I did slip on a particularly icy part, making me wish I had brought my yak trax (crampons) with me. They were doing me no good in our hallway closet. Other than that, it is a very easy hike. We saw just enough others on the trail.

Every year more people hiked out to the cars -- down a deep gully, and back up again. In 2016 (sixty years after the crash), the railroad put in a suspension bridge. Our second suspension bridge of the trip, with Capilano being the first. The bridge has a sign warning it is not cleared. None of the trail is cleared of ice and snow.

I suspect this area looks beautiful in all weather. The snow certainly added to it.

This was a great stop on our way to the main goal: Whistler.