Memorable Hikes in Lower Mainland BC
This post is entitled memorable as opposed to favourite as I doubt you’ll see both of us doing a couple of these all too regularly. Lots of these lists around, here’s our take on what we’ve done. I highly recommend the book 103 Hikes in South West BC, or the newer edition with a few more hikes.
Long:
Black Tusk: This starts with a fairly strenuous series of switchback and steady elevation gain in a treed area. Eventually you reach the shores of a gorgeous glacier fed Garibaldi take with peaks glowing behind them. There are two campsites there for the more sensible amongst us break this hike up into two nights. Unfortunately, they get booked months in advance, so this was a one day hike for us. You pass through some meadows, then steadily ascend further towards black tusk, with the views behind you improving with each step. There is a lot of loose gravel as you climb. Ultimately, we stopped short of the peak as the final ascent requires some technical scrambling and we were pretty exhausted already. The apparently equally impressive Panorama Ridge which shares the first half is still on my bucket list.
Panorama Ridge: This shares much of the same trail as Black Tusk above. The views are arguably better (because you also get to see the black tusk), unless you visit on a very smoky day like I recently did. You also have to go a bit further than the Black Tusk distance wise. Now both require a day pass that is tough to get if your not on the ball.
Brunswick mountain: This is a big day in terms of vertical, but the views from the summit are very impressive. It also feels like challenging than you would think, but definitely start early
The Lions: These two peaks are very visible from downtown Vancouver. The hike starts up on a steady incline on an access road, from a busy parking lot that is the trail head for some other peaks on the howe sound crest trail. Soon enough you reach a clearing with some only slightly more technical terrain with views back over towards howe sound. It then turns east and you head up to the base of the west lion. Here you’ll have views over the city on a clear day. You may see the odd climber ascending the lions, but it won’t be me. This one Is also a full day, we had to push back our dinner with friends afterwards.
Coliseum mountain: This one starts at Lynn Headwaters park. You hike to Norovan falls similar to Haynes valley, but turn right just before the falls. Here there is a steady treed climb as you gradually gain the ~1250m. You walk near a few old growth trees, and there are a very outcroppings with some views. Eventually you reach a clearing, with a flat beaked mountain top with great views across the north shore mountains. Descend by reversing your steps. This one was pretty uncrowded on the summer weekend day that I did it
Wedgemont Lake: The distance isn’t too long but its pretty much all ascent. There are some pretty streams along the way, some slightly technical aspects but it’s the elevation gain that makes this tough. Really nice lake at the top, you can camp if you managed to bring up your tent. Nice distant mountain views on your decent. To be frank, not quite as pretty a hike as Garibaldi lake area but worthwhile, steady crowds when we did this one.
Haynes valley: This one snuck up on us (not enough H2O) . Starts off flat from Lynn Valley to Norvan Falls. There is a tricky stream crossing across a raised log. Then steady ascent until you reach a boulder field. Climb through this to reach the slightly technical trails on the backside of Grouse Mountain which you finally reach. We took the gondola down and taxied back to Lynn valley to pick up our car and drive home. This is a very varied trail, shows off all the highlights of what hiking in Vancouver has to offer, also not too crowded.
Elfin lakes: You drive up a gravel road in the backroads of Squamish for some ways until you reach the parking lot, you’d want some ground clearance here. You gain some early elevation, then traverse on the edge of a pretty valley until you reach some pretty lakes. There was still a lot of snow on the ground we we did this in mid July. There were people hiking the first portion here in sandals + shorts with no essentials, please don’t be one of them. There is a nice shelter here at the end. If I had more time would have liked to head further into the park from here, coming back on snowshoes would be a treat too.
Golden Ears: See here. Make sure your legs are ready for it and you start very early if you’re planning on doing this in a day.
Medium:
Joffre Lakes: This place has become ridiculously popular; with good reason the lakes are gorgeous and the hike is not too tough. Having hiked a tent in only to not find a spot, I’d recommend only doing this as a day hike, and not on a weekend. If you really want to avoid the crowds pull out the snowshoes and give it a try in the winter.
Diez Vistas: Pleasant views towards Indian arm at several stops on this trail in Buntzen lake area. A nice change of scenery and seems like a really nice area if you are based in the Fraser valley.
Kennedy falls: Nice forest hike to a beautiful waterfall, did this one with a group of friends on Canada day.
The Chief or Sea to Sky summit trail. Great views at the top over Howe sound. The sea to sky version has the benefit of food/drinks at the top and save your knees with gondola down (once it reopens post sabotage x2).
St Marks summit: Begins at Cypress mountain ski resort. Ascends to the beginning of Howe Sound crest trail until you reach St Marks summit which has pleasant views out towards Howe sound. This one was quite busy for us to the point where it limited the enjoyment.
Goat mountain: If you take the gondola up and down, this is a pretty reasonable summit with good views of the north shore mountains. A bit technical at the end. Great option if you are short on time but want to get in some views.
Eagle Bluffs: Another reasonable hike as the drive up to Cypress covers most of the vertical. The views out towards Vancouver all the way around to Howe sound are quite nice. South peak of Black mountain also has nice views to the east.
Mt Seymour: At the ski hill of the same name, much of the trail runs besides the ski runs, not really my favourite but would like to try the route further to Mt Elsay at some point.
Lynn peak: If you’re in the lynn valley area and want to gain some elevation instead of doing norovan/lynn loop this is a reasonable option. A view at the end but not as much of one as others on this list. Usually pretty quiet though.
Elk mountain: You start in the forest after a nice country drive to the trail head. There was some light snow when we did this one with my mother in law. Really nice views over fraser valley, cultus lake and into US from the top, particularly for the reasonable amount of effort involved. Not too long of a hike so you can comfortably add on something like Bridal veil falls to have a nice outing in the Fraser valley
Baden Powell trail from Lynn Valley to Quarry rock/deep cove: a nice portion of Baden powell trail, can also do some short walking around Hyannis trail where the new footbridge is.
Tunnel bluffs: supposed to be accessible earlier in the season than others nearby. Tricky beginning crossing Sea-to-Sky near a bend, limited unmarked parking. Views out to Howe sound (similar to St marks summit/Chief). Unless you’re desperate for a hike early season can’t say I recommend this one.
Short:
Lynn loop. A favourite of ours when we just want to spend some time in the forest and get some exercise, good year around option
Lighthouse park: nice waster views, good one for out of town guests who aren’t hikers
Cleveland dam region: lots of nice trails here, good picnic area with views towards the lions, plus some old growth trees.
Dog mountain: Short hike with views near, really pleasant on snow shoes, a bit crowded winter and summer
Lindemen lake: short hike, if you’re in the fraser valley, with a pretty lake
The biggest drawback of hiking around Vancouver is the crowds. Some of the above are a bit quieter as noted. The other is the amount of work you have to put in to get above the tree line, can be a bit of a grind for some, but there are some gorgeous forests out there.
If you are a serious hiker looking for a couple quintessential lower mainland hikes, I’d suggest Lions, Black Tusk, Haynes Valley or Golden Ears.