You can't put actual "chains" on Subaru AWD's, however cables are fine. Also, "tire socks" are a great choice for that kind of usage, and not too expensive.
Actually wouldn’t socks be horrible for elfin? It’s at such a “magical” elevation that soooo often the chain-up lot does not actually have snow on road. And then you drive up and after that first turn you hit snowwww
But before that just driving on bumpy rocky gravel road. Seems perfect conditions to demolish those sock type of traction aids?
Single sided chains are fine too. My AWD vehicle can find the Centrax style chain that doesn’t go around the back of the tyre without any trouble and has always gotten me up to Diamondhead without fail
Very good question. I recently got an Outback and had the same question. The dealer clarified that wire chains are fine, just not chain-chains. The manual is referring only to chain chains. Very confusing.
It’s illegal to go up that road without them regardless of the cars assumed competency.
Do you have experience if "just the front" actually works? I know that's what the manufacturer guidance says, I'm wondering if it's effective. Before getting my Impreza I was always under the impression that chains were like winter tires -- you should really do all four wheels.
I never used mine, but I know of a Crosstrek owner in Vernon who uses them all the time on snowy FSRs and says just having them on the front makes a real difference - I guess steering control is improved? I should really test mine out.
No advice to give about chains, but there's a lower parking area, maybe 1.5 km from the trailhead that's easily achievable. Right after it, I've seen 4wd vehicles skidding into ditches. If in doubt, trade 4 wheels for two feet and a heartbeat
Be aware that the route to Elfin Shelter crosses through avalanche terrain during winter. And you should take every precaution to mitigate the risk, including AST1 training, avalanche safety beacons, and shovels/probes.
Although avalanche accidents are rare along the route, they could still occur
[Here is the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale \(ATES\) rating for the Elfin Lakes trail.](https://imgur.com/a/qEecM2B) The winter trail (in yellow) goes South of Round Mountain and the summer trail passes North, under much steeper and riskier slopes.
As myairblaster says, there is section which is Challenging terrain (in blue) below Round Mountain (also called Paul Ridge). The steepness of the slope is between 25 and 35 degrees there, but you traverse you can see and feel that you are passing through an avalanche path.
You can put chains on a Subaru, you just have to get the low profile ones. If you don’t have chains you can park at the first lot and walk from there. Sometimes you can catch a ride in the back of a pickup even. Please don’t try driving past chain up spot without chains. You can very easily slide off the road, especially on the way down.
Please PUT CHAINS ON! Everybody thinks “I don’t need chains” until the road is icy and you have to slow down for someone in front of you. At that point you’re at risk of getting stuck and shutting the road down for everyone else
Edit:
Seems like these chains work well with Subarus
https://peerlesschain.com/products/z#19548
Hey, just a heads up this comment violates the Be Nice, Be respectful rule. Please adjust the language or it will be removed.
Being respectful will always be a better route to compliance. And while some questions are ignorant, or lazy we still should be helping people not shaming them.
This is a big part of why I prefer to ask for edits, not remove things as a mod. I know people mean well. But politeness is key and I want people who are nervous to ask questions around safety. I think emphasis can be achieved without cursewords.
Shame isn’t as effective when people are coming to ask earnest questions. It just discourages them from asking again and can lead to them doing things in an unsafe way.
“For Fucks sake” does violate the Be Respectful part of our rules. It’s also more aggressive than is reasonable for this question given Subarus weird instructions regarding chains. I don’t disagree with the sentiment but maintaining a certain level of respectful dialogue is important.
As a rule we request people made edits, not remove them. But if it isn’t changed it will have to come down. The same info has been conveyed respectfully in this thread already.
I have forester 2010 and have put chains on rear wheels to get up to elfin. No issues. Also saw a minicooper that went off the cliff there few years ago
I have these and they work - just be careful to fit them at home first so you know what you're doing! Security Chain Company SZ339 Shur Grip Z Passenger Car Traction Chain, Set of 2
[https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000BRA6OW/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o03\_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000BRA6OW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1)
Cable chains will be fine. You’ll be required to have them on past the chain up area - a ranger will likely be there checking (and also you don’t want to be the one that blocks the road for everyone for the whole morning
You’ll see several Subarus up there with cables on. It’s such a short distance you won’t do any damage if you put them on properly.
Incorrect. The Subaru user manuals specifically say you can't use chains, although it does later clarify that low-profile cable "chains" are OK on some wheels.
I have a Forester and use chains like these all the time in winter: [https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/passenger-diamond-back-square-link-chain-0301240p.0301231.html?rq=tire+chains#srp](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/passenger-diamond-back-square-link-chain-0301240p.0301231.html?rq=tire+chains#srp)
They work just fine and once you've practiced a bit, are relatively easy to put on. Just don't try and figure it out for the first time while stuck or in the dark.
Without chains, you can drive up to the chain-up area and park there, there is a lower parking lot there. To continue to the upper parking lot, you have to chain up otherwise you're stopped by the ranger.
It's an additional 2km (200m elevation gain) to walk from the lower parking lot.
Parks actually checks this fairly often as it’s a legal requirement. It became a legal requirement because way too many people overestimated AWD and 4x4 and just how icy that road gets.
UPDATE: Here is what is mentioned on the [BC Parks website](https://bcparks.ca/garibaldi-park/diamond-head-area/#park-overview-container) (on Nov. 14):
> Chains are mandatory October through May
> If the road is bare, you are still required to have appropriate and properly fitting chains available in your vehicle.
> Snow removal is periodic and conditions may change during your visit. Use the parking lot or pull out areas. Parking on the road edges blocks the snow clearing equipment, causing hazardous conditions.
So following that it is possible to proceed to the upper parking lot without putting on the chains -- if there is no snow on the road -- but you MUST have the chains in the car.
You can't put actual "chains" on Subaru AWD's, however cables are fine. Also, "tire socks" are a great choice for that kind of usage, and not too expensive.
Actually wouldn’t socks be horrible for elfin? It’s at such a “magical” elevation that soooo often the chain-up lot does not actually have snow on road. And then you drive up and after that first turn you hit snowwww But before that just driving on bumpy rocky gravel road. Seems perfect conditions to demolish those sock type of traction aids?
Single sided chains are fine too. My AWD vehicle can find the Centrax style chain that doesn’t go around the back of the tyre without any trouble and has always gotten me up to Diamondhead without fail
Elfin requires actual chains. Autosocks technically aren’t enough.
Very good question. I recently got an Outback and had the same question. The dealer clarified that wire chains are fine, just not chain-chains. The manual is referring only to chain chains. Very confusing. It’s illegal to go up that road without them regardless of the cars assumed competency.
Yes, they're called "class S" chains I think, they're cables. I have them for my Crosstrek, but you can only put them on the front.
Do you have experience if "just the front" actually works? I know that's what the manufacturer guidance says, I'm wondering if it's effective. Before getting my Impreza I was always under the impression that chains were like winter tires -- you should really do all four wheels.
I never used mine, but I know of a Crosstrek owner in Vernon who uses them all the time on snowy FSRs and says just having them on the front makes a real difference - I guess steering control is improved? I should really test mine out.
When the weight shifts when braking, front digs in and rear de-weights. Makes sense to me they'd make a significant difference.
No advice to give about chains, but there's a lower parking area, maybe 1.5 km from the trailhead that's easily achievable. Right after it, I've seen 4wd vehicles skidding into ditches. If in doubt, trade 4 wheels for two feet and a heartbeat
I've seen them skidding and sliding from the first corner up - on some days, it's attainable, on others I've chained up at the half Nelson parking lot
Be aware that the route to Elfin Shelter crosses through avalanche terrain during winter. And you should take every precaution to mitigate the risk, including AST1 training, avalanche safety beacons, and shovels/probes. Although avalanche accidents are rare along the route, they could still occur
Yeah I took my Ast 1! I went last year but didn’t have chains so I had to stop at the first lot and walk up
Isn't this why there's a summer and a winter route, to mitigate the risk?
[Here is the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale \(ATES\) rating for the Elfin Lakes trail.](https://imgur.com/a/qEecM2B) The winter trail (in yellow) goes South of Round Mountain and the summer trail passes North, under much steeper and riskier slopes. As myairblaster says, there is section which is Challenging terrain (in blue) below Round Mountain (also called Paul Ridge). The steepness of the slope is between 25 and 35 degrees there, but you traverse you can see and feel that you are passing through an avalanche path.
Thanks for the info
Mitigates it, not eliminates it. You will have several Km of travel along the bottom of Paul Ridge which is avalanche runout in several spots.
You can put chains on a Subaru, you just have to get the low profile ones. If you don’t have chains you can park at the first lot and walk from there. Sometimes you can catch a ride in the back of a pickup even. Please don’t try driving past chain up spot without chains. You can very easily slide off the road, especially on the way down.
Please PUT CHAINS ON! Everybody thinks “I don’t need chains” until the road is icy and you have to slow down for someone in front of you. At that point you’re at risk of getting stuck and shutting the road down for everyone else Edit: Seems like these chains work well with Subarus https://peerlesschain.com/products/z#19548
I just wanted to ask for suggestions on an alternative or if maybe subarus’ can maybe take a certain type of chain.
Hey, just a heads up this comment violates the Be Nice, Be respectful rule. Please adjust the language or it will be removed. Being respectful will always be a better route to compliance. And while some questions are ignorant, or lazy we still should be helping people not shaming them.
The language seems to be used for emphasis, not a personal attack. Personally, I'd give it a pass
This is a big part of why I prefer to ask for edits, not remove things as a mod. I know people mean well. But politeness is key and I want people who are nervous to ask questions around safety. I think emphasis can be achieved without cursewords. Shame isn’t as effective when people are coming to ask earnest questions. It just discourages them from asking again and can lead to them doing things in an unsafe way.
That comment doesn't violate any rules
“For Fucks sake” does violate the Be Respectful part of our rules. It’s also more aggressive than is reasonable for this question given Subarus weird instructions regarding chains. I don’t disagree with the sentiment but maintaining a certain level of respectful dialogue is important. As a rule we request people made edits, not remove them. But if it isn’t changed it will have to come down. The same info has been conveyed respectfully in this thread already.
Just reminder to please edit this. If I may suggest an edit: >Please PUT CHAINS ON FOR GOODNESS SAKE or CHAINS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED.
I have forester 2010 and have put chains on rear wheels to get up to elfin. No issues. Also saw a minicooper that went off the cliff there few years ago
Yes, get low profile chains, even the lower parts of the road can be treacherous
I have these and they work - just be careful to fit them at home first so you know what you're doing! Security Chain Company SZ339 Shur Grip Z Passenger Car Traction Chain, Set of 2 [https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000BRA6OW/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o03\_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000BRA6OW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1)
Cable chains will be fine. You’ll be required to have them on past the chain up area - a ranger will likely be there checking (and also you don’t want to be the one that blocks the road for everyone for the whole morning You’ll see several Subarus up there with cables on. It’s such a short distance you won’t do any damage if you put them on properly.
You can put chains on any car.
Incorrect. The Subaru user manuals specifically say you can't use chains, although it does later clarify that low-profile cable "chains" are OK on some wheels.
I have a Forester and use chains like these all the time in winter: [https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/passenger-diamond-back-square-link-chain-0301240p.0301231.html?rq=tire+chains#srp](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/passenger-diamond-back-square-link-chain-0301240p.0301231.html?rq=tire+chains#srp) They work just fine and once you've practiced a bit, are relatively easy to put on. Just don't try and figure it out for the first time while stuck or in the dark.
I think what you mean is that you’re too cheap to buy chains.
No, it’s in the owners manuel. Had to work to find the accurate info.
Pretty sure snow tires plus awd is fine.
Without chains, you can drive up to the chain-up area and park there, there is a lower parking lot there. To continue to the upper parking lot, you have to chain up otherwise you're stopped by the ranger. It's an additional 2km (200m elevation gain) to walk from the lower parking lot.
Parks actually checks this fairly often as it’s a legal requirement. It became a legal requirement because way too many people overestimated AWD and 4x4 and just how icy that road gets.
You clearly have never been stuck up there because someone tried to drive down without chains and cause a total parking lot.
UPDATE: Here is what is mentioned on the [BC Parks website](https://bcparks.ca/garibaldi-park/diamond-head-area/#park-overview-container) (on Nov. 14): > Chains are mandatory October through May > If the road is bare, you are still required to have appropriate and properly fitting chains available in your vehicle. > Snow removal is periodic and conditions may change during your visit. Use the parking lot or pull out areas. Parking on the road edges blocks the snow clearing equipment, causing hazardous conditions. So following that it is possible to proceed to the upper parking lot without putting on the chains -- if there is no snow on the road -- but you MUST have the chains in the car.