North Van Hiking

Howe sound crest trail starts off very easy from a technical standpoint but is quite steep. It's mainly hard packed gravel and a pretty smooth surface. Before you hit Mark's summit the smooth trail ends and it becomes very steep. It also get more muddy from snow melt.

Continuing onto Unnecessary Mountain, the trail gets even rougher. The ascent in the forest between Saint Marks summit and Unnecessary Mountain is both technical and extremely steep, but not exposed to the point that you have to worry about falling. There are big drops, large rocks, large tree roots, and ropes to climb/repel. There are amazing viewpoints of Howe Sound and the two Lions.

*Class 1-2 Scrambling
*There are ropes to climb and descend

Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation:
Hard, 15km trail (out and back), 1122 meters of elevation gain

Meeting At: Cypress Creek Lodge, near the back
Parking: Yes
Transit Access: No
Carpool List: (accessible on a PC, or on a phone with MS Excel or Google Sheets)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_0G0ztt5vtEJBk7OhJSlnH9KxiENTmues7G_lqdsr7o/edit?usp=sharing

Recommended Gear:

1. Hiking Boots or Hiking Shoes
2. Hiking Pack + 8 bottles of water (4 liters) + Lunch + Snacks + 2nd Lunch + 2nd Snacks
3. (If raining) Rain Jacket
4. (Optional: if sunny) Sun Glasses, Sun Screen, and Hat

This loop follows the east to west loop, which is the easiest way for most hikers to begin on the East Canyon Trail, which is basically an old service road that acts as a wide trail at first. The route can be a bit rocky in parts with a small amount of elevation gain, with the difficulty slowly becoming more challenging with nothing too hard. There are a few stream crossings along the route, and hikers will really enjoy the Upper and Lower Falls lookouts. The Upper Falls are generally the better option, with plenty of mossy forest around and rocks that are absolutely covered. This is a great place to come during a hot summer day to cool off under the mist, but the falls are both much better to view during winter with all the precipitation.

Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation:
Easy, 10.3 km trail (loop), 390 meters of elevation gain

Meeting Point At

Parking: Yes
Transit Access: No

Recommended Gear:

1. Hiking Boots or Hiking Shoes
2. Small Daypack or Hiking Pack + bottles of water (1-2 liters) + Snacks+ lunch
3. Sweater or Jacket
4. (If raining) Rain Jacket
5. (Optional: if sunny) Sun Glasses, Sun Screen, and Hat

LEGAL INFORMATION, LIABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are a group of volunteers. We are NOT a professional organization or pro trail guides and/or
pro event organizers. The organizer and any/all assistant organizers and other attendees are in
no way responsible and liable for your personal safety and health state, before, during and at
anytime after this event. Risks of attending hiking events include, but are not limited to: getting
lost; slipping and falling; snow and ice; extreme cold; extreme heat; dangerous animals; insects;
falling trees or brush; falling rocks or landslides; fire; flooding; bridge failure; unstable ground;
and falling in fast moving water.
As a condition of your participation in the event, you assume all risk of personal injury, death or
property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever including NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF
CONTRACT OR BREACH OF ANY DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE HOST. You agree
that the host shall not be liable for any personal injury, death or property loss and release the
host from all liability and waive all claims with respect thereto.
Negligence includes failure on the part of the host to take reasonable steps to safeguard or
protect you from or warn you of the risks, dangers and hazards referred to above. You assume
all cost of your own rescue or evacuation.
By RSVP'ing "Yes", for this event, you acknowledge that you fully understand and accept the
aforementioned conditions and following event attendance conditions and, you are solely
responsible for your own health, safety and well-being before, during and at anytime after the
event as stated previously.
All attendees shall forever hold harmless the organizers and other attendees and
unconditionally waive any liabilities resulting from attending and/or participating in this event.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest on this 15.6-kilometre out-and-back trail located near Bowen Island, British Columbia. With a mix of lush forest, coastal views, and a well-maintained path, this route offers a rewarding outdoor experience for nature lovers of all kinds.

✅ If you RSVP “Yes,” please show up.
❌ 3 no-shows without updating your RSVP will result in removal from the group.

Difficulty, distance, and elevation:
Easy, 15.6 km (out & back), 340 meter elevation gain

**We’re kicking off the hike right after getting off the ferry at Snug Cove on Bowen Island — no extra transportation needed!**🚶‍♂️🌲

**We’ll hike out and back on the same route, making it super easy to return to the ferry afterward.**⛴️

**You can drive to Horseshoe Bay, park there, and then hop on the ferry with us. Simple, scenic, and stress-free!**🌊🚗🥾

Meeting At:

BC Ferries terminal at Horseshoe Bay, at the Bowen Island gate.

Recommended Hiking Clothing, Footwear and Gear:

• Comfortable shoes:
  Hiking Boots or Hiking shoes
• Moisture-wicking layers: Choose clothing that keeps you dry and comfortable, such as merino wool or synthetic fabrics.
• Base layer: A lightweight, breathable base layer for colder weather.
• Waterproof jacket: A waterproof and breathable outer layer for rainy days.
• Hat and gloves: For colder weather, choose hats and gloves that are warm and breathable.
• Backpack or bag: A comfortable bag to carry essentials like water, snacks, and extra layers.

Legal Information, Liabilities and Responsibilities:

By going on these Meetup events, you acknowledge and agree that you are participating at your own risk and are entirely responsible for your own safety getting to and from the event, at the event, and during the course of the event. In case of an accident, illness, or injury, you agree to pay for your own medical and/or evacuation expenses. Therefore, you agree to release the Meetup Group, the Organizer, the Meetup Host, and any affiliate or non-affiliate from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expense, or injury that may arise out of participation in these Meetup Events or travel to and from them.