Hell fellows hikers and trail runners. I am just posting a little description of the hike/run to reach the highest summit on Vancouver's North Shore, Crown Mountain, elevation of 1504 meters. The route is pretty hard due to snow often covering some parts of the trail until the end of June, slick rocks, roots and chains. But the hike is worth the view and this is why I recommend it if you have the physical abilities.
For hikers, take the full day to do it, it really isn't as easy as it looks. Also be careful with the GPX files, they show only around 400 meters of elevation gain which is completely false.
The best place to start the hike is Grouse Mountain resort. It is also possible to start from Lynn Valley and do a loop but I will not talk about this one today.
The approximate data are the following:
- 10 kilometers return way
- 1000 meters of elevation gain return way
- min elevation: 1100 meters
- max elevation: 1504 meters
- season: July to Septembre
I find the route description pretty accurate at the following link even if the elevation gain is wrong: https://www.vancouvertrails.com/trails/crown-mountain/
I have done this summit about 8 times starting from the bottom of Grouse Mountain, the top and also West Vancouver. I took pictures only twice as it was a training to me most times. Here they are, enjoy :)
Although I do it all the time, I recommend not going alone as snow is a potential danger and there are lots of black bears and cougars in the area.
These first pictures were taken in early May 2016, it was still very snowy and the trail was apparently closed. The notion of closed trails isn't easy to understand for someone coming from the Alps area, where it is possible to go anywhere anytime.
Haynes valley from the final ridge, May 2016
Cliffs all around the summit
A second summit less accessible
Goat Ridge, between Crown Mountain and Grouse Mountain
Facing a wall on the way to the summit
Snow was deep in may!
Crown Mountain from Goat Ridge. We can see a huge serac about to fall on the rock face. Thankfully the route up is on the South face.
The following pictures were taken at the end of May during 2 different outings. The snow melted a lot due to sunny and mild weather.
Haynes Valley from the last pass before the summit.
In the fog at the summit
Still in the snow
We started from the bottom of Grouse Mountain and still had a lot to go!
I hope you liked this post and see you soon for a new one!
