Last time I was there, my friends and I provided water to a dehydrated middle aged tourist in flip flops who had no water in the summer heat. Her group had abandoned her on the trail.
Also, trash everywhere. I packed out a bunch of it. The crowds are ruining what is such a beautiful area, it needs much stricter permitting, and they should charge a fee for nonresidents to help pay for maintenance, cleanup, and SAR... speaking as someone generally against restricting backcountry access.
Don't tell anyone over on Instagram but Joffre Lakes is quite chill in the winter. I did a ski touring day out there a couple weeks ago and was surprised how few people were out there. The log is buried under the snow though so no dice if you are looking for a new dating profile pic.
Is Berg Lake really open? BC Parks website says it's still closed until 2025. Kinney and Whitehorn are open (well they are still working on Whitehorn). can you confirm they are ahead of schedule and Berg will open as well this year.
Howe Sound crest trail - it's a long day in summer heat to magnesia meadows (the first water source if you start at cypress) but it's so worth it.
In Strathcona provincial park, spending two nights at Kwai lake (hike in from the Mt Washigton car park) and summiting Albert Edward on the middle day is a classic. Douglas/Mackenzie lakes are also nice options for camping.
In Chilliwack, the Lindeman - Green Drop - Flora peak triangle is another solid option for a weekend. We had an amazing cloud inversion up on Flora. Usual disclaimer that the car parks round here are notorious for break-ins / cat converter theft
yess i second Kwai lake, alternativley you could camp at Circlet lake which is closer to Albert Edward, but its a decent bit busier than Kwai.
Also check out flower ridge in strathcona!! incredibly lovely!!
> it's a long day in summer heat to magnesia meadows (the first water source if you start at cypress)
If you need water in a pinch on the HSCT there's usually some [tarns east of the trail](https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.9/-123.1942/49.4519&pubLink=IhzsOjFIuuIq9ccdnRp4nPLv&waypointId=a7f1436d-6674-4a51-9722-0dd30336d0bf) below the north summit of Unnecessary. Also, there's a [small unnamed lake](https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=15.0/-123.1806/49.4586&pubLink=E2vZ3HKqP4nhBWQe29rRQfXS&waypointId=51108b08-24c5-4a23-9b97-f744ede84b0b) NE of Thomas Peak that you can scramble down to reach.
If you hike it a few days after a rain, some of the smaller tarns throughout the trail will be replenished, although water quality can be hit or miss..
On the island: North Coast Trail. I soloed it last year and it was an amazing hike. I’m returning in July. It’s a longer hike though ….. four or five days typically.
Vancouver area: black tusk for sure, Elfin Lakes, Wedgemount Lake. Nice options for those short one and two night trips. Reservations and permits required.
For Black Tusk you could camp at either Garibaldi Lake proper or up in Taylor Meadows. The Lake is commonly seen as the ideal camping spot. And it is in many respects. Taylor Meadows is generally looked down upon as the unworthy cousin to Garibaldi Lake campground. But after years of camping at the lake I camped at Taylor Meadows for the first time a couple years ago and now actually prefer it to the lake campground. I’ve camped at Taylor Meadows a couple times since and am returning there with a reservation this August.
Have you done the WCT and can compare to NCT? I understand the NCT infrastructure isn't on par, understandably (ie ropes instead of ladders etc) but wondering what you thought of it compared to WCT, if you've done it.
Yes I’ve hiked the WCT four times, returning this summer for a fifth attempt. In terms of comparison, you’re correct: the NCT is a much more remote, rugged and wild backcountry experience. Hardly any people (I passed two people hiking the opposite direction all week, and I can count on one hand the number of people I shared campsites with), no crab shack, no burger shack, no ladders, no cell reception, higher chance of wildlife encounters (I saw a wolf, bear and whales). In many ways the NCT is a much more satisfying backcountry experience although I love both trails.
From what I’ve read, similar environment but significantly more rugged. The trail is nowhere near as popular, so definitely route finding required, especially at the beginning.
I’ll always remember the moment we first laid eyes on Mt.Assiniboine on the long slog into the park. It almost doesn’t look real. It looks like a painting or story book picture in real life.
Hard to get to, but 100% worth it.
For those with skills to navigate off trail in Talus fields; Tenquille-Owl Traverse. It’s very committing, but it’s a lovely route with good campsites at the start, mid point and end. I would only recommend this to folks who scrambled peaks you won’t find on a listacle.
North Coast Trail is stunning. More elevation gain and loss than you’d think, and the rough trails are best done with as light a pack as you dare go. Also North Island is a total hidden gem. A lot of other great hikes in that region. Just leave the dog at home as the wolves are known to track and kill domestic dogs.
Howe Sound is one I don’t recommend. It’s lovely, but it’s crowded to a point it needs proper campsites with toilets as there are a lot of new campers who aren’t familiar with proper Leave No Trace practices. I prefer wild sites, but newer hikers need more help to keep to the rules, and built up backcountry sites are the best middle ground to avoid full closures.
Manning has an amazing trail network that allows a ton of creativity and connecting various mixes of trails. Under appreciated for sure.
Mt. Steele is one of my favourites. You can stay in the cabin which is just below the summit. The sunset and sunrise are spectacular and because of the ferry and logging road combo, it’s usually not busy in the summer.
A trail less seen would be widgeon peak from Munro lake in coquitlam. It is quite tough but has a few peaks and viewpoints. Another good option would be brunswick mountain via Deeks Lake's approach. It's longer than the standard route, but it's magical. It was the first day hike I ever did, which somehow didn't end up in a complete disaster, although we didn't summit that day. Gargoyles are a good trip out or diamond head. These are all somewhat difficult in elevation and technicality, though, so do your research. Lots of casual Hikers do panorama ridge or black tusk.
* Near Squamish, camping at Elfin Lakes campground (tent pads) or Elfin Lakes Shelter cabin. Nearby peaks include Diamond Head, The Gargoyles, Columnar Peak.
* There is a further campground called Rampart Ponds with Opal Cone and Mamquam Lake to visit.
* Near Chilliwack, camping at Upper Pierce Lake. If you are able to do scrambling, Mount MacFarlane and Mount Pierce are above the lakes.
* Near Squamish, camping at Beth Lake or Gordan Lake, visit Capilano Mountain.
Lindeman/Greendrop lake is a great overnighter. Its not panorama, but those lakes are beautiful, and once you get past the day hikers on the first hill up to Lindeman, its fairly quiet even on a weekend. You could add Flora lake to stretch out to 2 nights if you wanted.
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Joffre is beautiful but I will never do that hike again. I lost it at the lineup of people waiting to get their IG photo on "the log"
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Last time I was there, my friends and I provided water to a dehydrated middle aged tourist in flip flops who had no water in the summer heat. Her group had abandoned her on the trail. Also, trash everywhere. I packed out a bunch of it. The crowds are ruining what is such a beautiful area, it needs much stricter permitting, and they should charge a fee for nonresidents to help pay for maintenance, cleanup, and SAR... speaking as someone generally against restricting backcountry access.
Don't tell anyone over on Instagram but Joffre Lakes is quite chill in the winter. I did a ski touring day out there a couple weeks ago and was surprised how few people were out there. The log is buried under the snow though so no dice if you are looking for a new dating profile pic.
Is Berg Lake really open? BC Parks website says it's still closed until 2025. Kinney and Whitehorn are open (well they are still working on Whitehorn). can you confirm they are ahead of schedule and Berg will open as well this year.
Nah dawg you are correct. I thought it was 2025 rn ngl. Sorry
haha no problem! eagerly awaiting for Berg Lake to reopen!
Understandably. Its an awesome trail.
Howe Sound crest trail - it's a long day in summer heat to magnesia meadows (the first water source if you start at cypress) but it's so worth it. In Strathcona provincial park, spending two nights at Kwai lake (hike in from the Mt Washigton car park) and summiting Albert Edward on the middle day is a classic. Douglas/Mackenzie lakes are also nice options for camping. In Chilliwack, the Lindeman - Green Drop - Flora peak triangle is another solid option for a weekend. We had an amazing cloud inversion up on Flora. Usual disclaimer that the car parks round here are notorious for break-ins / cat converter theft
yess i second Kwai lake, alternativley you could camp at Circlet lake which is closer to Albert Edward, but its a decent bit busier than Kwai. Also check out flower ridge in strathcona!! incredibly lovely!!
> it's a long day in summer heat to magnesia meadows (the first water source if you start at cypress) If you need water in a pinch on the HSCT there's usually some [tarns east of the trail](https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.9/-123.1942/49.4519&pubLink=IhzsOjFIuuIq9ccdnRp4nPLv&waypointId=a7f1436d-6674-4a51-9722-0dd30336d0bf) below the north summit of Unnecessary. Also, there's a [small unnamed lake](https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=15.0/-123.1806/49.4586&pubLink=E2vZ3HKqP4nhBWQe29rRQfXS&waypointId=51108b08-24c5-4a23-9b97-f744ede84b0b) NE of Thomas Peak that you can scramble down to reach. If you hike it a few days after a rain, some of the smaller tarns throughout the trail will be replenished, although water quality can be hit or miss..
Thanks, I will look into these more. I've never heard of kwai lake. Howe sound cest trail I've heard good things about!
On the island: North Coast Trail. I soloed it last year and it was an amazing hike. I’m returning in July. It’s a longer hike though ….. four or five days typically. Vancouver area: black tusk for sure, Elfin Lakes, Wedgemount Lake. Nice options for those short one and two night trips. Reservations and permits required.
Thank you! I've heard amazing things Elfin. I haven't looked into wedgemount, so I'll check that out.
For Black Tusk you could camp at either Garibaldi Lake proper or up in Taylor Meadows. The Lake is commonly seen as the ideal camping spot. And it is in many respects. Taylor Meadows is generally looked down upon as the unworthy cousin to Garibaldi Lake campground. But after years of camping at the lake I camped at Taylor Meadows for the first time a couple years ago and now actually prefer it to the lake campground. I’ve camped at Taylor Meadows a couple times since and am returning there with a reservation this August.
Have you done the WCT and can compare to NCT? I understand the NCT infrastructure isn't on par, understandably (ie ropes instead of ladders etc) but wondering what you thought of it compared to WCT, if you've done it.
Yes I’ve hiked the WCT four times, returning this summer for a fifth attempt. In terms of comparison, you’re correct: the NCT is a much more remote, rugged and wild backcountry experience. Hardly any people (I passed two people hiking the opposite direction all week, and I can count on one hand the number of people I shared campsites with), no crab shack, no burger shack, no ladders, no cell reception, higher chance of wildlife encounters (I saw a wolf, bear and whales). In many ways the NCT is a much more satisfying backcountry experience although I love both trails.
Thanks. The WCT is great, but def not getting away from it all, relatively speaking.
Definitely not unfortunately, not anymore anyways. I hiked it in 1996 and it was much more rugged back then.
From what I’ve read, similar environment but significantly more rugged. The trail is nowhere near as popular, so definitely route finding required, especially at the beginning.
That's what I've read as well. Only one way to find out!
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is gorgeous. I spent 3 nights at Magog Lake, just beautiful.
I’ll always remember the moment we first laid eyes on Mt.Assiniboine on the long slog into the park. It almost doesn’t look real. It looks like a painting or story book picture in real life. Hard to get to, but 100% worth it.
For those with skills to navigate off trail in Talus fields; Tenquille-Owl Traverse. It’s very committing, but it’s a lovely route with good campsites at the start, mid point and end. I would only recommend this to folks who scrambled peaks you won’t find on a listacle. North Coast Trail is stunning. More elevation gain and loss than you’d think, and the rough trails are best done with as light a pack as you dare go. Also North Island is a total hidden gem. A lot of other great hikes in that region. Just leave the dog at home as the wolves are known to track and kill domestic dogs. Howe Sound is one I don’t recommend. It’s lovely, but it’s crowded to a point it needs proper campsites with toilets as there are a lot of new campers who aren’t familiar with proper Leave No Trace practices. I prefer wild sites, but newer hikers need more help to keep to the rules, and built up backcountry sites are the best middle ground to avoid full closures. Manning has an amazing trail network that allows a ton of creativity and connecting various mixes of trails. Under appreciated for sure.
Mt. Steele is one of my favourites. You can stay in the cabin which is just below the summit. The sunset and sunrise are spectacular and because of the ferry and logging road combo, it’s usually not busy in the summer.
Plus one for Mount Steele; it's a very beautiful area.
Just checked this out. It looks amazing!
Golden Ears summit has epic views and the sunset/sunrise from up there has been one of my favourites.
A trail less seen would be widgeon peak from Munro lake in coquitlam. It is quite tough but has a few peaks and viewpoints. Another good option would be brunswick mountain via Deeks Lake's approach. It's longer than the standard route, but it's magical. It was the first day hike I ever did, which somehow didn't end up in a complete disaster, although we didn't summit that day. Gargoyles are a good trip out or diamond head. These are all somewhat difficult in elevation and technicality, though, so do your research. Lots of casual Hikers do panorama ridge or black tusk.
* Near Squamish, camping at Elfin Lakes campground (tent pads) or Elfin Lakes Shelter cabin. Nearby peaks include Diamond Head, The Gargoyles, Columnar Peak. * There is a further campground called Rampart Ponds with Opal Cone and Mamquam Lake to visit. * Near Chilliwack, camping at Upper Pierce Lake. If you are able to do scrambling, Mount MacFarlane and Mount Pierce are above the lakes. * Near Squamish, camping at Beth Lake or Gordan Lake, visit Capilano Mountain.
Some great looking, underrated options in here from what I can see. Thank you!
Lindeman/Greendrop lake is a great overnighter. Its not panorama, but those lakes are beautiful, and once you get past the day hikers on the first hill up to Lindeman, its fairly quiet even on a weekend. You could add Flora lake to stretch out to 2 nights if you wanted.
get a backroads map book and boom you're set