August 28th, 2020: Overlord Trail and Decker Loop

Type of hike: Loop

Time (approx): 5 hours

Distance: 16.7km

The Hike

I did the Little Burn, Big Burn and Heart Burn in addition to the Overlord Trail and Decker Loop, so the time and distance is not entirely accurate. However, after making some adjustments from previous data, I would say the distance is about 10km and time is approximately 3 hours.

Alternatively, you can take the gondola straight up to Rendezvous Lodge. In order to get to the Overlord Trail, you need to go through Alpine Loop. Due to Covid, most of the trails on Blackcomb are one way, which works out well because most of them are loop trails.

The ascent up Blackcomb was better this time due to the sun and slightly warmer weather.

I could see the Overlord Glacier from the Alpine Loop already, and was very excited to get a closer look at it later on.

There is a fork in the trail halfway through Overlord Trail, and due to new rules, you have to go up using the Lakeside Loop and come back down later on the other half of Overlord. Since I already saw the Blackcomb Lake, I did not spend any time there.

Lakeside Loop is short and connects back to Overlord. Around 15 minutes later, there is another fork and one continues on Overlord while the other is the Decker Loop.

The above picture was taken around the start of Decker Loop, with Horstman Peak in the background.

The incredibly steep switchbacks hit me full in the face immediately. There is an elevation gain of 200m within 1km, around 15 minutes. As I mentioned in another post, Blackcomb is full of rocks, and the Decker Loop is LITTERED with them. All shapes and sizes. The trail is not very wide to begin with, coupled with the rocks and steep incline, it felt like a rock climbing challenge. Not to mention some of the rocks were not stable either so I also slipped a few times.

The view is sure pretty though:

The glacier was getting closer!

I actually got lost on the Decker Loop because the trail was not clearly marked, and there were several paths that all looked like they were meant for hiking. Luckily I was checking the AllTrails map frequently and got myself back on the right track quickly. Just know that the first half of the Decker Loop is straight up, so if you find yourself going downhill, you are probably off trail.

Peak elevation is about 2050m and the decent follows immediately. The rocks made it hard on the joints, and some of them were once again unstable. I almost twisted my ankle twice.

This was where I got the best view of the Overlord Glacier. It was almost surreal to see such a huge icy structure untouched by humans. I felt a deep sense of profoundness standing in front of it, knowing this beautiful chunk of ice is getting smaller each year due to global warming. I would probably never see it the same again as I did that day. It made me reflect on my unsustainable habits as I headed back down the mountain.

The decent is fairly quick and trail connects back to the Overlord Trail and it goes back to Rendezvous Lodge.

Decker Tarn is the last viewpoint on this trail:

The views I got coming down from the other side of Alpine Loop:

What I brought:

1. Bug spray. The more I hike, the more this became my best friend. I actually got attacked by a few angry wasps on this trail, though I have no idea why they felt the need. A bird also tried to snatch my cookie. Fun times.

2. Bear spray. Solo hikers need to have this with them at all times.

3. Bear bell. It was not necessary as this trail is very much out in the open and moderately trafficked, even the Decker Loop.

4. Hydration pack. Best investment ever, aside from my shoes.

5. High energy snacks

6. Lip balm and eye drops. High elevations cause dryness.

7. Wet wipes.

8. TP. No outhouses on this trail, only at the Rendezvous Lodge.

Overall thought:

I would definitely do the Decker Loop every year just to be able to see that glacier chunk. It is absolutely stunning and a reminder to myself to be more sustainable. Even though global warming is inevitable, I hope at least to do my part. All these hikes have made me realize just how spectacular Mother Nature is and that we should all try to preserve it as much as possible. We only have one Earth, after all...