NTS Map: 92G6. If you thought the views from the Grouse Mountain Skyride were good you haven't experienced the summit of Crown Mountain (1501 metres). An added bonus will be your escape of the tourist hoards, few will be venturing beyond the restaurant and concert bowl area.
If you really want a work out you can definitely increase your status as an urban hiker by saying, - Yes, I did the Grouse Grind and Crown Mountain in a day. Where as the Grind is an uphill staircase in the trees the continuation on to Crown will provide an openness with a wilderness feel, fresh breezes and great local vistas. If you can identify the local mountains? on a clear day you will likely see Mt. Rainier south of Seattle, Mt. Garibaldi to the north, Arrowsmith near Port Alberni and Mt. Cheam in Chilliwack. The workout will have your thighs torqued especially if you do the Grind. Most people will opt for the Skyride approach.
Head out of the Skyride east toward the Grouse Peak chairlift and stay left on the old service road. Follow the marked trail descending to a small pass and then heading up to skirt Dam Mountain and over to Little Goat. From here the trail gets a bit rougher and rooty as you descend down to Crown Pass. Hikers that want to continue down into the Lynn Creek Headwaters via Hanes Creek as a loop can continue down and east. For Crown it's uphill, 421 metres to be exact. The trail is rooty and can be damp and buggy on a real warm day but persevere soon you will be in the heather of the alpine. Watch your footing, some experience as a hiker may be required here, the trail may be a bit slippery from remnant snow melt in the trees above. The trail ends at a rocky ridge where an easy scramble leads on to the summit. Have lunch here you earned it and be smug because you attained a neat and moderately challenging summit away from the urban masses.
ApproachCross the Lions Gate Bridge or approach from the Upper Levels Highway and head north on Capilano Road to the Grouse Mountain Skyride. The Grouse Grind starts to the east of the Skyride. Crown Mtn. starts east at the top of the Skyride.
Elevation Gain 700 Metres
High Point 1501 Metres
Option:A hiking loop is possible via Crown Pass down bouldery Hanes Creek and into the Lynn Headwaters area. Arrange for a shuttle. The total distance is approximately 20 kilometres.
Click on "view/Download GPS" to see the way-points for this trail. After getting off the sky-ride at Grouse Mountain, follow the trail that takes you left of the upper ski lift, and over to Dam Mountain, Little Goat Mountain, and then down a valley and up to Crown Mountain.
ByPosted By: Rambo
- Thu Sep 04 23:47:49 EDT 2008
UpsideWhen the Grouse Grind feels redundant, and you want to have great views to motivate you, on a sunny day, this is the place. There is at least 10 nice view points and some of them are just worth the trip.
DownsideMud. insects and some parts of the trails are just FUCKING dangerous. Don't go there if it's raining. The trail is over-marked some places, and some other places are mark with a 1 inch and a half yellow arrow on the bottom of a tree, not very good. If you are a water drinker, you will have to go down between Goat and Crown to find water in August/September.
CommentDon't go there if you are not feeling in great shape. Don't bring your fat girlfriend. Don't expect an easy trip. And most of all... don't look down !
I definitely will do this mountain again.
ByPosted By: ount'n'about
- Fri Jun 06 14:33:13 EDT 2008
Not Rated
QuestionHanes Vally loop conditions??I'm wondering how much snow is still up on the Crown pass and the boulder pass up from Hanes Vally. If anyone has recently been on this loop I'm also curious about the runoff volume at the lynn creek crossing. Chears!
ByPosted By: Mehul
- Tue Aug 30 19:48:17 EDT 2005
UpsideIt was a great hike. With great view's all along the trip. There is a uphill first then there is a 300m downhill and then a 400m uphill to the top. The best view is from the very top. A total 360 degree view. Really worth it to make it to the top.
DownsideThere was a lot of sun and the hike was really tiring and exaushting. No water. It was late august so no water. We ran out of water half way through so it was a long time to walk back. If you do the Grouse Grind to start it's really tiring to complete the trail.
CommentWe went in late august so i suspected little snow. You first have to go up the grouse mountain. We had to hike up, then we riik a rest stop at the coffee shop and after a kilometer walk you reach the crown mountain start trail. Took us 5 - 5 1/2 hours to complete the trail.
ByPosted By: cdickin
- Fri Aug 26 22:06:56 EDT 2005
UpsideWhat a view...and a wonderfull workout. Could have stayed on the ridge for another couple of hours in the sun!
DownsideBeware of the friendly bears...had one so close I could hear it breath (and I was using my bear bell all the way).
Commentonly for the hearty hiker is correct. The last portion has nice falls to either side. If you are scared of hights its not for you - remember coming down a slippery slope is tougher than going up.
ByPosted By: tetrahedron
- Mon Jul 18 18:42:54 EDT 2005
UpsideFantastic views in ALL directions.
DownsideI stayed away from the "Downside" on this one, it's a long way. Watch your step and take it slow.
CommentI was a little suprised at the amount of scrambling required here. I figured I would get some at the top but Crown Pass is very steep on both sides so it's quite a workout on a hot summer day.
There is very little room to maneuver in some locations and there are points where you feel like you are hanging above a 500m+ drop (probably because you ARE).
Coming up Crown you will cross a stream about 3/4 of the way up. This is one of the only accesible streams that I could find in the whole pass (aside from a few trickles here and there). Check your water and fill up here. It was so hot when I was up there I had to refill on the way down again and still started to run out before getting out of the pass.
ByPosted By: Data_b
- Mon Jun 27 14:22:04 EDT 2005
UpsideWhat a work out. For a first timer, It was hard.
DownsideThe cloud cover limited the view, but was still worth it.
CommentI will be happy to do that again.
ByPosted By: jonful
- Thu Jun 24 01:22:13 EDT 2004
Upsideamazing views of the lower mainland to the south, and garibaldi park to the north. the trail itself was great, though mostly snow-covered in mid june.
Downsidedefinitely not for novices. portions require ascending and descending using all fours. a long up hill section on the return is sure to leave you winded, espicially in the snow.
Commenta pick would have been useful, as a trekking pole was barely sufficient on the snowy ascents. otherwise, a great hike with incredible views at the top.
ByPosted By: Loki
- Mon Jul 15 13:51:11 EDT 2002
UpsideExcellent views of the entire Coastal Range. Elevation changes that "take your breath away" Very fun bootskiing can be had even in July
DownsideElevation changes that "take your breath away" the uphill slog out of Crown Pass will really challenge you if you have done the Grind to begin your day.
CommentNot for people who are afraid of heights, you really are on a knife edge of a rock ridge. The Camel looks very cool from the peak of Crown!
ByPosted By: Kodiak
- Sat Jun 29 23:46:37 EDT 2002
UpsideGreat views, and great grunt to boot !
Downsidebugs as usual.
CommentFor only the hearty hiker !
Posted By: Rambo
Posted By: ount'n'about
Posted By: Mehul
