Chris in the Marmot Gardens:
“Perhaps it was the late callout but I got no takers so it was just Cara and myself on this trip to a remote part of the Stein. The Blowdown Rd is easily 2wd-able until just after the 9 km mark. There’s a waterbar in the middle of the hill around 9.5 and a couple just before the 2wd parking area at 10.3km which shouldn’t be an issue for the average 2wd. The portion of the road up to the Blowdown Lake 4wd parking area seems to be in slightly worse shape than last year but we got my micro 4wd up it. From there to the pass is actually in better shape and it would be no problem to drive a 4wd up to the switchback 20 m short of the pass if you get up to the lake parking. The lupines are in full bloom around the lake and in Marmot Gardens. In the gardens, the mosquitoes were epic and the horseflies started showing up. We also saw a grizzly and, of course, numerous marmots.”
All posts by andy
Crown Mountain 11/07/09
Su-Laine on Crown Mountain:
“Ow, my legs hurt. Other than two sections of moderate scrambling, the statistics on this one make it look like a moderate 9 km hike from the top of the Grouse Mountain Skyride. There are several climbs and descents each way, so although the overall elevation gain is only 455 m, in total you’re probably climbing over 1000 m, and I found it a lot more tiring than another 1000+ m hike I’d done a few weeks ago (Eagle Bluffs). Maybe it was the hot sun, or maybe the fact that the trail requires so many damned deep knee bends for smaller people like me.
I’d posted this as a 5-6 hour hike but it ended up taking us about 8.5 hrs, including breaks and half an hour off-trail when some of us missed a marker. The off-trail part took us down some slippery rocks and wasn’t fun; other than that the scrambling was fun. It was good to be in a group so we could spot each other and learn from others’ techniques. The summit is snow-free but we had to cross a couple of patches of packed snow lower down where hiking poles were useful.”
Dennett Lake 10/07/09
Carolyne on the Dennett Lake trail:
“Four early risers went to tackle Dennet Lake. After a steady climb we had a water break at Munro Lake and then pressed on. It soon became obvious that the trail hadn’t been cleared recently when we started having to go under, over and around many fallen trees. Dennett Lake was lovely when we stopped for lunch. On the map in ‘103 Hikes’, it shows a path to the west end of the lake and then two paths: one to take the ‘wet route’ down via the Village-Lake Trail, the other up to the ridge. We only saw one trail. After a steady climb we emerged about 30-45 minutes later at a junction for Harper Road. Not where we wanted to be. However, there was the consolation of the beauty of Hourglass Lake and making it almost to the summit of the ridge. We headed back to Dennett Lake. After some searching behind one of the campsites, the wet route was found. It went through a number of little water meadows. Eventually we arrived at the junction with the main trail. BEWARE: the trail map is not accurate for the wet route starting at Dennett Lake. Also worthwhile: Munro Lake lookout.”
Yak Peak 05/07/09
Ahmad on Yak Peak (instead of Mt Cheam & Lady Peak):
“There wasn’t much snow on Yak’s basin and there was no need of using ice axe. However, poles will be helpful. The snow was packed in good conditions in most sections. I scrambled up on the rocks rather than going up on the snow. The rocks allured me to be a good way. A mistake that I quickly realized. The rocks were too loose and they lack hand holds. I scouted several directions but each led to a close end or requires a difficult and lucky move. I managed to finish it at the end after more than 30 minutes. It wasn’t a good way. It was difficult and I ended up alone on the summit. On the way back, I found the proper route which was about 5-10 m away. It was fairly easy. It goes on the snow that cover the ridge. The snow seems to be steep but it is not exposed and it is actually fun. The false summit also represents a nice alternative. The other three people that I was with, chose it and they were satisfied with the views. There were also many mosquitoes and they got even more the higher we got and didn’t get rid of them even on the summit.”
Brothers Creek 03/07/09
Dana on the Brothers Creek trail:
“I was pleasantly surprised to get six hikers (including two drivers) on this weekday hike: Stas, John, Kathleen, Chelsey, Constance, and I. The trailhead just off Millstream Road in West Van was full of vehicles, but we passed very few people on our route. The route took us up the Brothers Creek fire road, a long gradual incline (taking in most of the elevation gain) to our first crossing of Brothers Creek. At this point we had hiked only an hour, and decided to continue right instead of left to take in a longer loop, taking us first to the pretty beer-coloured Lost Lake, and then crossing Brothers Creek via stones to Blue Gentian Lake, our lunch stop. On the east side of the lake is a nice lunch spot with picnic table. Heading south and down after lunch, we met up with Crossover Trail, headed east, and again crossed Brothers Creek. Eventually this connected with the fire road and back to our vehicles. Total trip time was spot-on four hours, including lunch, and was just under 10 km with an about 450 m elevation gain in total. I wasn’t crazy about the first hour on the fire road, as it’s full of rocks and stones and pretty wide (as a “road,” not very trail-like, of course) so next time I’d be inclined to turn off onto the Baden-Powell or another intersecting trail to make a different loop. There are a lot of options in the area for routes/loops, which is good to know for future reference. A good outing.”
Howe Sound Crest Trail 03/07/09
Heather on the Howe Sound Crest Trail:
“Suzanna, Keith, Bob and Heather did a long hike of the Howe Sound Crest Trail from Cypress Bowl to the base of The Lions and back. Unfortunately, we started late on a very hot day, and the Crest Trail is a demanding and exposed trail – so heat exposure made for an even longer day. The views were stunning and there were only a few snow patches on the trail. Due to the heat we had to re-fill water from snow melt, and I personally drank 6 litres during the almost 12 hour hike. A demanding day, but still a beautiful place to be!”
Mt Brunswick 01/07/09
Andrew L. on Mt Brunswick:
“Making it to the trailhead just past 8am, we nabbed one of the two remaining parking spots and hit the trail. The Brunswick Mountain trail is steep, easy to follow and almost snow-free. There is also very little water available past the early crossing of Magnesia Creek. We took just over four hours to reach the summit, where we had lunch accompanied by spectacular panoramic views from what is the highest of the north shore peaks. There are a few snow patches near the summit which are melting rapidly. The scrambling near and at the summit is fun, though to reach the actual summit you will have to pass some sections with moderate exposure – your head for heights may be tested. It is, incidentally, well worth carrying a personal-sized watermelon all the way up on a hot day…”
Garibaldi Lake 01/07/09
Pablo at Garibaldi Lake:
“What a better place to celebrate Canada day than Garibaldi Lake. It was a perfect day for this hike, perfectly clear sky, not too hot, and a holiday on a Wednesday, so not many people. After hiking most of the time on snow last weekend on Elfin Lakes in the same park, I was expecting at least patches, but the trial is completely clear. We did the hike in less than 3 hours one way, including pictures, and we took a long time on the lake. A couple of us even had a swim on the lake. The level of the water is very low. After the hike we changed the dinner place in Squamish, and we even got 50% Wednesday Special with a great view of Shannon Falls (also with not much water).”
Musical Bumps 28/06/09
Ahmad on the Musical Bumps:
“Everything is beautiful on Musical Bumps. The peaks, the glaciers, even the clouds look more beautiful there. The level of snow is much less this year. There are only snow patches and the biggest one was about 50 m in diameter. The trails were in good condition. The bridge over Harmony Creek doesn’t exist but there are logs. Slippery but not too much. The area before the bridge seemed it is frequented by bears. We saw a mother and its cub just before the trailhead. It might get confusing when you get over Harmony Ridge. Go along the ridge rather than crossing it prematurely. The grade will get gentle then. We got to Roundhouse at 7 pm and took the gondola down free. The whole trip took 9:30 in an easy pace.”
Elk-Thurston 28/06/09
Beth on Elk-Thurston:
“Astrid, Bahman, LJ, Geoff and I hiked Elk-Thurston Mountain on Sunday. It started with a pleasant hike through the forest which lead us to a ridge walk from Elk to Thurston. Along the ridge the meadows were beautiful, in bloom with Indian paintbrush, lupine, tiger lilies, glacier lilies and more! We had great views of surrounding peaks of the Chilliwack area and the Cascades, though Mt. Baker was hiding under clouds. This is a great hike! The trail was virtually snow-free and in good condition, with only the occasional small snow patch at the top which did not cause any difficulty. We could see that there was more snow on the north-facing side of the mountain. The day was topped off with a drive over the new Golden Ears bridge (very bumpy, yet majestic), and a bite to eat.”