Hiking Bowen Lookout

On November 23, 1963, the world was faltered by the news of John F. Kennedy’s assassination (the previous day). Vancouver was dealing with it's own tragedy; a military plane crash in the North Shore Mountains. The hike to Mt. Strachan gives you the opportunity to visit the crash site.The Mount Strachan hike starts at the Cypress Mountain Resort in West Vancouver (free parking is available). Sta...

Eagle Bluffs is a perfect hike for anyone looking to get away but not too far from the city! Your trip will start by grabbing your (free) backcountry pass from the Black Mountain lodge in the lower parking lot at the top of cypress bowl road. This is not the main lodge (Cypress Creek Lodge), but the lodge a 5 min walk down the hill in the parking lot. After you've got your pass and read all the...

Start at the Cypress Mountain ski area and walk towards the first chairlift. You will see a giant sign showing the ski trails and you go to the right of that. You will then see a post that lists which direction to go for each hike.To start  this trail, walk towards the previously mentioned chair lift and look for a trail that leads through the trees to the left of the chairlift, but to the righ...

From the Cypress Mountain downhill parking lot, head north toward the nearby chairlift and look for the Howe Sound Crest Trail sign. The trail follows alongside the several ski runs until a sign that points to the right to the Howe Sound Crest Trail. Follow this trail uphill until it merges onto a wider ski run and veer to the left towards a large green water tower. Just before the tower, go ri...

Distance: 18 miles / 29 kms.Duration: 1 - 3 DaysElevation Gain: 6000 ft. / 1800 m.Magnesia Meadows: 49.483708, -123.190377The Howe Sound Crest Trail (HSCT) is one of the most epic hiking trips one can do in the Vancouver area. The trail is entirely located within the Cypress Mountain Provincial Park. The route follows the ridge line along the Howe Sound from Cypress Mountain to Porteau Cove (so...

If you are looking for the perfect snowshoe adventure you've found the right place. St. Marks is located on Cypress Mountain. It is more difficult than the nearby Hollyburn, and sometimes inaccessible due to heavy snow. For those two reasons makes it the most secluded hike just minutes from downtown Vancouver. Head to Cypress Mountain, park as if you were going to ski at the resort. Make sure t...