more stats
1,673 ft
Distance
-362 ft
Descent
00:06:18
Avg time
-362 ft
Altitude change
4,040 ft
Altitude min
4,401 ft
Altitude max
4,401 ft
Altitude start
4,039 ft
Altitude end
-21.6%
Grade
-43.6%
Grade max
1,542 ft
Distance down
52 ft
Distance flat
00:06:18
Avg time

Howler (upper) Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Westside - Rainbow
    Whistler, British Columbia
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    50 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 55 in E-Biking
    • 50 in Trail Running
    • 55 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #53143 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #43660 in E-Biking
    • #148487 in Trail Running
    • #144949 in Hiking
  • Provincial Ranking
    #2,639 in Mountain Biking · British Columbia [+]
    • #3,028 in E-Biking
    • #8,826 in Trail Running
    • #8,559 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T2 Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    Jun-Oct
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Bridge, Drop, Rock Face
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Year Opened
    2013

Upper section added to the inimitable Howler. This section has a steep access climb, and drops in on steeper and more difficult terrain than the section below it. With some very sharp and steep rock, choose your lines carefully and bring tubes It's a LONG way out to be stuck without spares.

Access Info

Climb to Howler, then continue to follow the flank. Once past the main Howler entrance, the Flank narrows and steepens becoming more of a hiking trail with tight steep switchbacks, roots, and loose rock. Continue climbing until you get to a slab rockface, at the top of which the trail starts to the left.

Tags
BridgesDropsLooseRock slabsRocky

Trail Supporters

  • Zander Strathearn
    Builder

Local Trail Association

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 31 rides
  • 21.6 km avg distance
All
  • 253 rides
  • Last: Oct 24, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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update trails status or condition

Howler (upper) Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Aug 29, 2026 @ 6:07pm (America/Vancouver)
Aug 29, 2026
reporter There was a Cougar encounter on Skywalk hiking trail (nearby). The cat stalked a hiker mid-day on August 29. Ride in groups and make noise. Keep...
Aug 1, 2026 @ 11:38am (America/Vancouver)
Aug 1, 2026
reporter
Jul 21, 2026 @ 10:57am (America/Vancouver)
Jul 21, 2026
Jun 21, 2026 @ 6:16pm (America/Vancouver)
Jun 21, 2026
It’s pretty dry and lots more small rocks on the trails than normal. Like it’s always dry and rocky but I felt it was more than normal. Ride...
May 10, 2026 @ 2:56pm (America/Vancouver)
May 10, 2026
Snow free, dry and loose. Could use a rake, otherwise in great shape
more »
Status:
on Aug 29, 2026
Dry
Avg: 4.69 (22 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (1,656)
close
      Directions to howler-upper trailhead (50.168630, -122.968950)

      Photos

      41 more »
      mtb
      176 |
      Mar 29, 2020 @ 5:02pm
      Mar 29, 2020
      mtb
      222 |
      Mar 29, 2020 @ 5:02pm
      Mar 29, 2020
      mtb
      150 |
      Mar 29, 2020 @ 5:02pm
      Mar 29, 2020
      mtb
      184 |
      Mar 29, 2020 @ 5:02pm
      Mar 29, 2020

      Videos

      7 more »
      youtuber Howler is a Bone-Shaking Whistler Downhill Trail
      mtb
      14:16 | 809 | Sep 12, 2021 , Whistler
      youtuber Whistler Mountain Biking, Upper and Lower...
      mtb
      16:29 | 1067 | Oct 28, 2018 , Whistler
      youtuber Howler is a Bone-Shaking Whistler Downhill Trail
      mtb
      14:16 | 530 | Sep 12, 2021 , Whistler
      HOWLER 4K - NEW JERRYS ON THE BLOCK
      mtb
      2:56 | 598 | Nov 22, 2020 , Whistler

      Routes with this trail

      ★ 5.0 • 17 miles • 2,818 ft • 39 •
      Howler is a great trail for those looking for a sustained climb and technical fast descent. (Advanced)...
      7 miles • 2,394 ft • 10 •
      Whistler Relive Your Rides Westside Rainbow Howler Classic For other ride suggestions for this and other...
      12 miles • 2,400 ft • 7 • Loop •
      This is your morning or early afternoon ride on Day 2 of the Front Country Adventure itinerary. After...

      Trail Products

      4.7 ★★★★★
      22 Ratings
      5 ★ 82%
      4 ★ 14%
      3 ★
      2 ★
      1 ★ 5%

      8 Reviews & Comments

      flyinhigh flyinhigh
      Not worthy of the double black rating trailforks gives it. Definitely a single black no more difficult than lower howler. Great extension to howler but has a couple sharp rocks so watch your tires
      flyinhigh flyinhigh
      Not worthy of the double black rating trailforks gives it. Definitely a single black no more difficult than lower howler. Great extension to howler but has a couple sharp rocks so watch your tires
      flyinhigh flyinhigh
      Not worthy of the double black rating trailforks gives it. Definitely a single black no more difficult than lower howler. Great extension to howler but has a couple sharp rocks so watch your tires

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      • By HwulexTF Pro & contributors
      • #6663 - 12,475 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Howler (upper) located?
      Howler (upper) is located in Westside - Rainbow, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Westside - Rainbow trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 50.16863, -122.96895.
      ▼ How hard is Howler (upper)?
      Howler (upper) is rated as Double Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 21.6%.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Howler (upper)?
      The trail has 362 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 4,040 ft to 4,401 ft.
      ▼ Is Howler (upper) a point to point trail?
      Howler (upper) is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Howler (upper)?
      Howler (upper) is 1,673 ft long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Howler (upper)?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Howler (upper). Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Howler (upper)?
      Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Howler (upper) are:
      • July (19 activities)
      • August (18 activities)
      • May (13 activities)
      Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
      ▼ How do I access Howler (upper)? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Howler (upper) are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Howler (upper)?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 6 minutes to ride Howler (upper). The trail is 1,673 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Howler (upper)?
      Howler (upper) is a moderately popular trail. There have been 1,731 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 1,656 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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