dwelling in the valley. Lady Peak, to the south is the old woman's dog. Cheam, the official name of the peak, is said to be the Halkomelem word for "wild strawberries," though the British Columbia Geographical Names Office description says that name is a reference to the lowland below. 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. Climbing history The north face, plunging to the valley floor, has rarely been climbed. However, an easy trail provides access to the summit from a subalpine bowl to the southwest. Hiking The trailhead to Cheam Peak, is via decommissioned logging roads accessible from Chilliwack Lake Road on the south side of Cheam. Access without a four-wheel drive vehicle is difficult but possible. From the trailhead, a trail leads through subalpine meadows and then ascends, moderately steeply, 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. One can also access Lady Peak via a route that begins about halfway up the Cheam Peak Trail. Climate Based on the Köppen climate classification, Cheam Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Cascade Range where they are forced upward by the range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Cascade Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Cheam Peak. References A hike to the top of Cheam Peak Hike guide to Cheam Peak External links Weather forecast: Cheam Peak Canadian Cascades Cheam Two-thousanders of British Columbia Cascade Range North Cascades Yale Division Yale Land District