more stats
1.0 mile
Distance
6 ft
Climb
-1,073 ft
Descent
00:13:36
Avg time
-1,066 ft
Altitude change
2,455 ft
Altitude min
3,521 ft
Altitude max
3,521 ft
Altitude start
2,454 ft
Altitude end
-19.4%
Grade
-41%
Grade max
8.7%
Grade min
157 ft
Distance climb
1 mile
Distance down
59 ft
Distance flat
00:13:36
Avg time

Howler (lower) Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Westside - Rainbow
    Whistler, British Columbia
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Local Popularity
    75 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 80 in E-Biking
    • 55 in Trail Running
    • 65 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #18463 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #15244 in E-Biking
    • #72313 in Trail Running
    • #37310 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    Jun-Oct
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Rock Face
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Year Opened
    2013

This trail is a great wet weather trail, Lower Howler is in low angle terrain compared to the upper two sections but still, have great views. The is just enough tech to keep you on your toes, but with enough flow you can open it up and really enjoy it, knowing there are no major features, drops, or jumps, to catch you unawares. The rock up there, however, is sharp so bring spare tubes

Access Info

Starting from the very top of Alpine Way (no parking), climb Cultured Climb to Rick's Roost (name of the access road, not an actual trail) until you don't want to climb any more. You will pass Cat Scratch Fever, Green Monster, and the Flank turn-off to Billy Epic. Keep going. Past the Flank, the trail mellows until you reach a big bridge over 19 mile creek. Shortly after the creek, you will pass the Skywalk Hiking trail on your left and you will see a motor-vehicle gate straight ahead, take the right towards Lower Skywalk and Lower Howler. The access is an old low angle slightly wet skidder road that contours, expect to see hikers as its the primary access to the hiking trail network, continue along the roadbed until you reach Howler.

Trail Supporters
  • Zander Strathearn
    Builder
Local Trail Association

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 5 rides
  • 19 miles average
6 Months
  • 32 rides
  • 10 miles avg distance
All
  • 660 rides
  • Last: Jun 29, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Howler (lower) Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 16, 2026 @ 10:20am (America/Vancouver)
May 16, 2026
May 15, 2026 @ 5:03pm (America/Vancouver)
May 15, 2026
Gave the trail a spring cleaning.
May 11, 2026 @ 6:09pm (America/Vancouver)
May 11, 2026
A bit chunky, but otherwise all good. Could use a little loose rock rake
May 10, 2026 @ 2:59pm (America/Vancouver)
May 10, 2026
Fast, dry, and obstacle free. The last section of Howler has the most flow
May 5, 2026 @ 7:02am (America/Vancouver)
May 5, 2026
Tree had been removed
more »
Status:
on May 16, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 4.26 (49 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to howler-lower trailhead (50.162570, -122.973110)

        Photos

        111 more »
        263 |
        Jun 20, 2020 @ 11:10pm
        Jun 20, 2020
        136 |
        Jun 20, 2020 @ 11:09pm
        Jun 20, 2020
        80 |
        Mar 29, 2020 @ 5:04pm
        Mar 29, 2020
        85 |
        Mar 29, 2020 @ 5:04pm
        Mar 29, 2020

        Videos

        13 more »
        youtuber HOWLER | Black trail | Whistler
        5:21 | 339 | Nov 28, 2023 , Whistler
        youtuber Howler is a Bone-Shaking Whistler Downhill Trail
        14:16 | 588 | Sep 12, 2021 , Whistler
        Whistler Mountain Biking | Howler 2018 Sept...
        19:27 | 639 | Sep 27, 2018 , Whistler
        youtuber Howler | Epic Descent Series | Whistler
        9:32 | 970 | Sep 12, 2018 , Whistler

        Routes with this trail

        4.0 15 miles 2,230 ft 32
        Directions to Howler; a great trail for those looking for a sustained climb and technical fast descent....
        5.0 37 miles 8,991 ft 24
        Whistler's three classic runs in one ride. If you complete this you are a beast.
        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)...

        Trail Products

        11 Reviews & Comments


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        • By HwulexTF Pro & contributors
        • #6664 - 23,218 views

        Frequently Asked Questions About Howler (lower)

        Where is Howler (lower) located?
        Howler (lower) is located in Westside - Rainbow, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Westside - Rainbow trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 50.16257, -122.97311.
        How hard is Howler (lower)?
        Howler (lower) is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 19.4%.
        What is the elevation gain for Howler (lower)?
        Howler (lower) has 6 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 1,073 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 2,455 ft to 3,521 ft.
        Is Howler (lower) a point to point trail?
        Howler (lower) is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is singletrack.

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