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Howe Sound Crest (St. Marks Summit)

Howe Sound Crest (St. Marks Summit) near Vancouver, BC

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This trail was given a rating of 4 out of 5 stars

8 kms
4hours
moderate
Hiking
Summer
Vancouver, BC

trailpeak

LARGER MAP

NTS Map: 92G11. St. Mark's is a great interim destination for those on their way to the Lions from the Cypress Bowl Ski area. It makes for a nice destination for those who want a view of the Lions, as well as some great views back towards Howe Sound. The Howe Sound Crest Trail is very well maintained, and apart from finding the start of it, it is almost self-guiding. Our GPS waypoints should get you set right, but also refer to our directions.

The terrain is gradually up, with some steep and rolling sections, and follows a crest adjacent to Howe Sound, and deep valleys on the other side. The GPS points attached get to you St. Mark's Summit, which would still leave you well short of the Lions, i.e. Mt. Unnecessary still to go.

There is GPS data attached to this trail (see "download GPS"), which if loaded into your GPS can help you find route points.

Directions:

To get to the Howe Sound Crest Trail, take Hwy 99 in West Vancouver to the Cypress Bowl Exit, and drive all the way up to the Downhill Ski area, parking just in front of the ski purchase pass area (obviously closed for the summer). You'll see in the GPS ramblings two ways to the start of the trail. Either loop along the Yew Lake interpretive trail until you see signs for Howe Sound Crest Trail (black posts with signs), or for the easier way, do the following; walk in between the shacks where downhill ski passes are sold, and walk towards the 'Sunshine' Chair lift, and keep walking along this gravel road as it climbs along the side of the mountain, staying above the Yew Lake area. Basically follow a straight line behind the ski lifts. If you have a GPS, use the waypoints attached, to hone in on the trailhead! Have fun.

By Posted By: scottwilliamson - Sat Mar 27 14:12:29 EDT 2010 Comment I did this trail back in October 2009, it was a great walk with a fantastic view at the end. Has anyone been up recently? I want to go but would love to avoid snow.

By Posted By: rasperin - Tue May 20 14:37:05 EDT 2008 Not Rated Question when?would this trail be okay to do now(May 20th)? Or is there too much snow still?

By Posted By: vpigeon - Mon Dec 31 01:44:22 EST 2007 Upside Excellent as a snowshoeing trail in winter. Rooty, rocky, muddy in other seasons. Great snowshoeing in wonderful snow on Dec 30, 2007. Downside Because we had to do a lot of trail blaizing, a 7 hr snowshoe to St Marks and back.
2 avalanche areas on the Howe Sound Crest trail beyond the sign. Be extra cautious going across them. NEVER go across as a group, go 1 person at a time only. Comment 5.5 k from parking lot to St Marks Summit, up approx 425 m, I would say it's easier on snowshoes because the trail is much smoother, but too much snow also makes for hard work.

By Posted By: zenzany - Wed Aug 09 17:17:19 EDT 2006 Upside Great views, all kinds of landscape variety and very few hikers between the Lions and Deeks Lake. Downside Busy around the Lions. Not much water between between the Lions and Magnesia Meadows. Comment The full Crest Trail actually runs from Cypress to Deeks Lake and down to Highway 99--a total of 29 kms. It's an overnighter unless you're a masochistic madman.

By Posted By: brantcarter - Sat Aug 13 13:14:32 EDT 2005 Upside Great views from the top. Downside Bugs were bad (August). Comment I don't concur that this is an "easy" trail; also the 4 hours posted seems very optimistic. I went at a decent pace and it took nearly 5 hours to complete. The hike up to the summit is strenous (but worth it).

By Posted By: trishkaka - Wed Aug 20 11:53:06 EDT 2003 Not Rated Upside Very accessible, great view! Downside Lots of roots, they're everywhere... waiting to grab your ankles. Also lots of people traffic - don't expect any peace here. Comment It's a good hike to do if you're all by yourself, like I find myself frequently. You won't really ever be alone, so many people come trudging up this trail. Don't worry about any bears either, all those people certainly make a racket. Good trail but come on a weekday, if you can.

By Posted By: badger - Mon Jun 30 02:31:07 EDT 2003 Upside Lots of great view points. Downside Roots and rocks. Lots of them. Comment Still a bit of snow at the summit.

By Posted By: Urban trekker - Sun Jun 08 22:24:17 EDT 2003 Upside Great cardio workout, views of the Lions and Howe Sound Downside Trail is rutty and rocky after it leaves Strachan Meadows where it switchbacks up to the summit - a little hard on the knees coming down.
Comment Some snow in Strachan meadows as June 8, 2003 otherwise dry to the summit and beyond.

By Posted By: rmaz - Tue Dec 03 17:51:29 EST 2002 Upside Great view, easy trail, with nice exposure for good weather. Downside Trail can be hard to follow in the switchback section, near the end. Comment Bring a camera, and safeguard your lunch from the birds at the viewpoint.