The complete Howe Sound Crest Trail is NOT a walk in the park. The HSCT is an ambitious overnight hike that will surely kick your butt and supply some breathtaking views. You start your day (early! or you'll run out of daylight) at Cypress Bowl ski lodge, stay the night in Magnesia meadow's emergency hut, and finish at Porteau Cove.
It has taken me 3 attempts to complete this trail, the last go (August 16/17th 2009) was successful due in large part to previous training and lucky weather. Do not attempt this trail under poor weather conditions or too early in the season unless yu are equipped and comfortable with ice/snow hiking/climbing (it takes a while for all of the snow to recede enough to spot trail markers and cross the quarry between the Lions).
It has been recently re-tagged so it is easy to follow which is awesome.
Make sure to check out the forecast, other reviews, and print off a reliable topographical map before you head out.
I walked the trail September 4th/5th 2009 and like to provide some more information. Following there is a list of hiking times for those who intend to hike parts of it. There was equipment for two days and no hurry, but please add +10% or more to the times if you are not used to hike for 6 hours under these conditions:
-Cypress Bowl ski lodge
2 h The trail is partly quiet rough and there is ongoing
construction.
-Mt. St. Marks
1 h There is a good hiking trail from Mt. St. Marks to the
ridge between The Lions.
-Mt. Unnecessary south peak
10 min
-Mt. Unnecessary north peak
25 min I do not recommend to hike the ridge from Mt.
Unnecessary to The Lions under bad weather
weather conditions due to exposed parts.
-Intersection to Lions Bay
50 min There is the option to climb The Lions but no need.
The trail leads on the south side around the west
peak.
-ridge between The Lions
2 h This part of the trail is the most rarely used one. Do
not underestimate it, you loose and gain about 500 m
in elevation.
-intersection to Lions Bay
30 min You find a ridge with a trail to climb Mt. Harvey.
Without backpack I needed 40 min up and down.
-Magnesia Meadows emergency hut
35 min There is a good trail down to Deeks Lake. Although I
missed the view the trail was walkable under rainy
and foggy conditions.
-Intersection to Lions Bay
40 min
-Brunswick Lake emergency hut
55 min
-Deeks Lake
1 h 45 min
-Parking lot on HWY 99, about 1 km south of Proteau Cove Provincial
Park
Directions:
To get to the Howe Sound Crest Trail, take Hwy 99 in West Vancouver to the Cypress Bowl Exit, and drive all the way up to the Downhill Ski area, parking just in front of the ski purchase pass area (obviously closed for the summer).
ByPosted By: rmackellar
- Thu Aug 05 00:00:39 EDT 2010
Not Rated
UpsideI have hiked the Howe Sound Crest Trail twice. The views are spectacular. This is an awesome hike for those fit enough to do it. The camping on any of the peaks after St. Marks is spectacular with great views of Vancouver, the Lions and Howe Sound. Sitting watching the sun go down and the stars come up is something that everyone should do. <BR><BR>Camping at Magnesia Meadows is also awesome. We chose to use our tent, not the shelter, as the shelter has no way of keeping mosquitos and black flies out.
DownsideThis is not an easy hike. From Cypress Bowl to Unnecessary Mountain (just berfore the Lions) is straightforward and from Magnesia Meadows to Porteau Cove is relatively easy. BUT, from Unnecessary Mountain to Magnesia Meadows is an advanced hike where demanding terrain can slow progress to as little as 1km per hour. Be careful on snow, rock fall, exposure, route finding difficulties and steep terrain.
CommentFirst hike: September 2008. Completed the HSCT in one day, taking 13 hours 20 minutes, just over 2km per hour. This was going light and fast where the amount of daylight was only just enough to complete the hike. I decided to go in sneakers to be quick - this was a big mistake, as the terrain is significantly more than a walk in the park and the sneakers were a right-off at the end.
The second hike was a more leisurely 3 day (Friday night to Sunday) affair in July/August 2010. The snow was not insignificant. At the Lions the trail dropped down into steep snow and without an ice axe crossing the snow field was not safe. We chose to climb down the mountain and cross the snow at less of an angle, however, the down climb and the the upclimb were not for everyone. Particularly the climb back up to the trail had some exposure that would make some people bail, or at least think twice.
After the Lions the terrain is rough, with steep up and down, significant snow fields and elevation gain/loss that makes for slow progress. We took 4.5 hours from the Lions to Magnesia Meadows, a distance of only ~6km. This is with packs for overnight camping.
The trail become overgrown and, at times, can be a little difficult to follow between the Lions and Magnesia Meadows.<BR><BR>The hike from Magnesia Meadows to Porteau is a relative walk in the park. The trail is good, obvious and (relatively) less steep.
When we woke on the third day of our trip, the clouds had obliterated the view. We set off following the fading steps of the previous day's hikers across the snow, hoping it led to the trail, which it did.
This is a hike that is truly wonderful, spectacular views, but those afraid of heights or not willing to put in a LONG day, should not attempt it.
ByPosted By: Tschilla
- Wed Dec 09 08:37:46 EST 2009
Not Rated
CommentI posted a more detailed description. Click on Wiki Update Review
Posted By: rmackellar
