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Snowshoe to Black Mountain and Eagle Bluffs

Bowen Island, British Columbia

Details

Distance

5.6 miles

Elevation Gain

1312.3 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Tara Stamnes

Experience the best of North Shore snowshoeing on this moderate backcountry trail.

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 pertinent information in the backcountry area, head up to the trailhead. The trailhead begins just between the Lions Express and Eagle Express ski lifts. You'll see the BC Parks pagoda with the trail map (white paper map for winter routes). Hang a left at the pagoda, and follow the BC Parks signage for hikers which will take you to the fork with signs pointing to Black Mountain or Mt. Strachan. Take a left, to black mountain, and you have started your hike! 

The first portion of the hike is a steep incline to the almost-top of Black Mountain - around 45 mins. You will follow the ski trails most of the way up. At the top of the hill, you'll see a sign which demarcates the Black Mountain loop trail - take a right for the slight uphill to the peak, or a left for a longer climb to the peak that winds through a creek area. For quickest access to the Eagle Bluffs portion of the trail, hang a right at the sign. 

Once you reach the peak of Black mountain, you'll get some stellar views of Howe Sound, and be greeted by an abundance of Whiskey Jacks. From here, you can continue the loop and head back down (a 7km roundtrip to base), or head to Eagle Bluffs. 

For Eagle Bluffs, stay on the Black Mountain Loop trail until you see Cabin Lake (the largest lake in the area) on the right. You will have to get to the other side of Cabin Lake to reach the Baden Powell trail which takes you to down to the Bluffs. Note: this is an unmarked section of the trail. The Eagle Bluffs & Black Mountain Loop trails do not meet in the winter, so getting around the lake is up to your own discretion. It's advisable to never cross alpine lakes in the winter if it can be avoided, especially in the spring. 

Once you're across the lake, you'll meet up with the Baden Powell Trail. Go south on the BP, following the orange/pink tree markers and you will make it to Eagle Bluffs (there are red markers on the trees every so often pointing to the bluffs). 

Stop at the Bluffs, take some pictures, have lunch, and then head back the same way you came! Once you get back to the black mountain loop across cabin lake, you can either take a left (quickest and shortest to the fork), or a right (following the loop all the way - longer, but prettier).  

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