Vancouver Hiking: Tips, trails, and stories for Vancouver locals

TL:DR Expect snow above 1000m until early July. Check recent satellite images for more clarity HERE.

Understanding how to assess conditions is a critical skill. In the interest of creating more Trip Reports we have a new non binding request fro anyone asking for Conditions Updates. It helps to understand SEASONAL SNOW TRENDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

A) Double check if this question has been asked recently - Use the tools in the sidebar like Flair ( Trip Reports, Learner/Beginner, Winter) to double check if this questions hasn't already be asked.

B) Guess THEN Ask - Do your own weather assessment first (see advice bellow). Then if you are still feeling uncertain, post a question a long with a weather assessment so folks can help confirm your theories, and boost your own skills.

C) Pay it Forward - Anytime you ask for help sourcing conditions info you should post a short trip report on your return. Even a single photo and one sentences is enough. Repeat the kindness that was shown to you, and help provide others in your position with information. If enough people do this we can create an excellent resource.

As ever, this sub is first and foremost and encourage and helping build safe habits. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have no idea to start. But long erm, I hope to encourage skill building, with support from the community.

r/vancouverhiking has grown recently and there are more people asking conditions than submitting trip reports to share their own information. It’s great that folks are proactive about their safety! But it’s essential to also to contribute in kind so that others have more information.

If this seems like a bad idea, or an over reach please let me know in the comments with constructive feedback.

How to Assess Conditions:

Weather sites

During summer months this is the first place to visit, and second in winter. The r/vancouverhiking Resource Page has a good selection of recommended weather sites. Websites that let you get forecasts for your specific area is best (SpotWX, Mountain Weather, Windy), as google or Environment Canada forecasts don't reflect mountain conditions. You need this to know how to dress, and what extras to bring.

Hi, planning on doing mt. Weart Wednesday C2C as all the peaks near me are snowed out. Maybe will do Mt Cook instead as im not familiar with the are.

Wondering if anyone wants to join me - visiting from Seattle area!

Personally, I have been quite well exposed to the outdoors (hunting, camping, hiking) as I have grown up, but I have gone backpacking only a handful of times with friends. I have a friend that now wants to be more exposed to the elements and he would like for us to go backpacking together this year, but I’m having a hard time picking a location for him and I to go on. He did a little research himself and is very keen on doing the Howe Sound Crest Trail, but I am not sure if he will be able to handle it, since I read it is not an easy hike. but if you have went on it, I would love to hear your suggestion and experiences on this.

Him and I are willing to go anywhere between Vancouver and Hope for such adventure!

I love to hear your suggestions if you have any! :)

u/jpdemers got Strike Like in my brain with some conditions research he posted a bit ago, and I needed to test out a new cold weather bag anyway - so popped up to check it out.

Conditions are good overall. The Spruce Bay lot is still closed so you have to park at the Poland Lake area and walk back (adding 3.6km each way). The section from the Poland Lake lot back to Spruce Bay has a fair bit of snow - most of the trail is still covered. From Spruce Bay to Strike lake there's very little snow on the trail, and almost none at the site itself. It's still cold at night of course so come prepared!

Rangers were through on May 17 clearing deadfall through to Strike, so Spruce -> Strike is a really easy walk right now. They have not cleared past Strike up to Thunder yet.

Did see a Grizzly on the road near the Spruce Bay (Lightning Lakes camping) turn-off, but it was minding its own business. Still - have bear deterrents and be aware of course, especially at this time of year as food is scarce for them still.

Hi everyone, hoping to go to Troubridge next week via Saltery Bay. Does anyone know what the peak is like right now? I tried to find reports but no luck.

My family will be in Vancouver in August and while there we want to do the grind. I did it back in 2019 and want my husband to experience it.

We have breakfast reservations with the bears at 8. What time can we start hiking? 630? It took me just over an hour last time.

Also, where are the grizzly bears in relation to the tip of the grind? Do we go back down? Or are they also at the top?

Hi all,

Just curious if anybody has been up to cheam lately. What does the end of the road look like and how are the snow conditions? Haven't made it out that way this year yet.

Hey, just wondering if anyone’s done this trail around this time of year and would have insight on the weather conditions. All-trails says season is from July-October but I’m only here for the week.

Thank you in advance

Has anyone been put to Dog Mountain recently? The trail conditions report on the website is from April... just wondering whether microscopes are still required.

I really appreciate how willing the experienced local hikers and alpinists on this sub are to take the time to provide detailed input to new hikers in the area. I consider myself a very experienced hiker and backpacker, having thru-hiked a few 300k+ trails in Ontario, summitted glaciated peaks up to 5900m, spent a long time off-grid, etc. However, it's clear that the specific conditions of the North Shore mountains are no joke and there's no substitute for local experience and knowledge. Since moving to Van last year I've done a few hikes but reading the content here has really impressed on me the need to add new skills (like AST) to my roster before tackling what appear at first blush to be "easy" hikes purely in terms of distance and elevation gain. So to those who take the time to share their experiences and grow the community - thanks!

Hey all, I am trying to go for a solo overnight hike camping this long weekend, but I only have access to public transportation or uber/taxi up to 50 minute drive.

I've looked up multiple reviews from alltrails, and everything seems to be kinda doable for a hike itself, but what I am struggling to understand is if it's doable with a massive backpack loaded with camping gear to stay overnight this time of the year. Health wise I would say I'm pretty average, and can do grouse grind under 2 hours no problem, but that's without any gear.

I am considering:

• Saint Marks summit hike - concerned about snow hiking with gear
• Brunswick Mountain Trail - concerned about snow hiking with gear
• Mount Harvey Trail - concerned about snow hiking with gear
• Eagle Ridge trail - not sure if allowed to camp
• golden ears trails - not sure which hike to choose, but this seems to be the easiest and most straightforward from all choices

Recommendations or tips for any of the above, or something that I missed are highly appreciated!

Hi all! I am new to Vancouver, and looking to buy a car. We are planning to stay here for a while, and would like to get a car that can serve us in our hiking adventures (beside the daily work commute).

We were looking for the more 'city' type of awd cars, like a Ford escape or Mitsubishi outlander. Would you say that having a car like that is a benefit, or will we still struggle a lot without a real 4x4?

My boyfriend and I will be going backpacking mid June and are interested in doing either Flora lake (we may or may not summit the peak based on weather and trail conditions) or the Golden Ears summit. We’re prepared for having to camp on snow and what not. Just wondering if anyone has been out to those 2 places lately and can tell me what the trail is currently like. Also open to any suggestions for other places to go for 1 night

Hello! I'm visiting Vancouver for the first time this August, and am so excited to check out the hiking scene. Only tricky part is I won't have a car, so I'll be relying on Uber to drop me off and pick me up. I was hoping to get a couple recommendations for moderately challenging day hikes that I'll be able to Uber to. (so maybe an hourish away from the city?) Bonus points for beautiful views and water features :) All recommendations are appreciated!!

Hi everyone, what's a good mountain/trail close-ish to Surrey (say 30-60 min drive) that I could go to regularly to train for more challenging hikes?

I'd like to be able to do hikes like Flora Peak or even Lindeman Lake feeling good. So something challenging with good elevation. I'm looking forward to doing some backpacking trips this year. I like to do challenging ones. I did an overnight to Nicomen Lake last summer; I survived but wanted to cry the last 5k back to the car, most likely because I forgot how much of a descent it was the day before and therefore how much of an ascent it would be in the last leg. So I'd like to get to a point where I can do stuff like that, but feeling good and confident.

I saw someone say they did the Chief 14 times in a year and get considerably faster each time. I'd like to try something like that but it has to be accessible/not too bad to get to, to make it happen!

Thanks in advance!

Hello guys,

I am planning a trip to Vancouver in early to mid June. I want to do a 2-3days moderate to difficult hike. We were planning to do Howe sound crest trail, but I heard the conditions are not good with lots of snow. Any opinions on this?

What other multi day hikes would you suggest instead?

Do you know single day hikes that are a must?

Hi all. We’re planning to hike to Brew Hut on Brew Mountain tomorrow. We have snowshoes and are generally well equipped for standard hikes. Wondering if anyone has any intel on the avalanche risk in the area?

And if you have preferred sources for that sort of information. Thanks!

Hello! My Fiancée and I have booked a trip to Vancouver for our honeymoon in late June/Early July. We have never been to Canada before and never been this far out west so this will be a very new experience. We had some questions about the terrain, conditions and in general what to expect. We are avid hikers and live in the Smoky Mountain region of the United States to get an idea of what we normally do. Our limit is about 10 miles for hiking in a day. So here are a few questions:

What kind of vehicle should we rent? Are the roads well maintained or do would renting something with 4x4 or all wheel drive be a good idea?

What kind of clothes should we pack for hiking? I know mountain weather can be dynamic and the average temperature in Vancouver might be totally different when you get to higher elevations.

Any essential gear you would suggest that I might not have already? (Will be bringing boots, hiking clothes, hiking poles, hammock, water bladder, backpack)

Are trails well marked or are some parks open and you have to find your own way back?

Is wildlife much of a concern safety wise?

What other outdoor activities would you suggest we do besides hiking? (Horse riding, kayaking, etc.)

What are some of your personal favorite hikes that you would do if you only had 7 days? Joffre Lakes seems like a must. We are really into the scenic views.

Thanks!

Hi all, just starting to put an itinerary together for a solo trip: a month in West Canada flying in and out of Vancouver 22 June - 22 July.

Mostly want to be hiking but up for other outdoors things. I’m an experienced hiker and happy with multi-day trips and hikes averaging 20km days are good.

I like hiking by myself (I have a Garmin InReach) and prefer quieter locations if I can access them!

Issue is - I can’t drive. Please don’t suggest renting a car etc!

Looking for suggestions for places I can get to/from by public transport or shuttle. Also don’t mind hitchhiking but probably not both directions in a day.

Had been suggested that north shore would be a good place to base myself? And to spend some time on Vancouver Island

I had also been thinking about going to Whistler or Banff as I think trails are more accessible because of tourism?

Grateful for any suggestions as lots of other posts are about driving to trail heads, thank you!! ☺️

Hi, I am planning to hike up to Spahats Rigg tomorrow and was wondering if anyone had done it or adjacent trails recently and could let me know what conditions are like.

I have a pair of steel toes 9 in logging boots for work that i use for occasional hiking, just wondering if i should get dedicated boots. They're heavy but they seem to do well. But last weekend i did some steep downhill and it kept bumping my toes despite lacing them in hard. Normally i can kick stuff without that happening.

So anyways, any opinions from those of you who have hiked in loggers and maybe still do?