New lions gets you to the Lions a little faster, joining you up with the main Howe Sound Crest trail, along the strip of Cypress Provincial Park that many hikers take from Cypress Bowl in West Vancouver.
Once up top, follow the trail to the Lions, two ancient volcanic plugs of basalt rock that are visible from Vancouver.
To get to the trailhead, follow to the end of Sunset Drive, where there is a gated access to the logging road as shown from West Lions Bay. This is where you must start,at one point you briefly descend to Harvey Creek before ascending. Elevation gain is almost 5000 feet in total, trail is best from July to October.
Click on "view/download GPS" to see a preview of the GPS points, and to download these to your computer, afterwhich you can download them into your own GPS unit using G7toWIN (freeware you can find on the net).
Another Version of Directions:
Go north on Highway 99.
Take the Lions Bay exit onto Oceanview Road.
Go left at Cross Creek Road and cross Harvey Creek.
Go right on Centre Road
At Bayview Road, go left to Mountain Drive.
Go left again
At Sunset make a final left.
If there isn't any parking left, please park at Lions Bay School.
ByPosted By: TheDagda
- Mon May 18 05:15:16 EDT 2009
Not Rated
QuestionHiking the lionsI plan on going up to the lions on wednesday. Is it safe to go up this time of year? or is there too much snow still?
ByPosted By: jakenull
- Thu Sep 25 16:45:40 EDT 2008
UpsideThe views, well marked trail. Can identify mountain easily from Vancouver area to shows friends and relatives.
DownsideFSR access road switchbacks. No water after the creek.
CommentGreat day hike. Amazing views of Howe Sound and Greater Vancouver Area.
Had no bug issues at this time i year. No snow yet.
New bridge over Harvey creek had a homemade sign that read "Creek contains Giardia"
ByPosted By: Kimbi
- Wed Jul 16 13:12:29 EDT 2008
UpsideGreat views, challenging and good full 6 hour hike. Has a little bit of everything: waterfall, snow sliding, great views of ocean. Near top allows you to be as adventurous as you want.
DownsideThe trail markers seem to just end at a certain point before a peak or view is reached, must find your own path up if want to go further. trail also takes you through some pretty uncleared path.
CommentBring bug spray!
ByPosted By: twinheadjim
- Thu Aug 23 14:10:01 EDT 2007
Upsidegreat views of Howe sound,Sunshine coast
Downsideall the views at the top, not on the trail!
Commentfull 7 hours!
ByPosted By: trailpeak
- Mon Oct 11 14:56:03 EDT 2004
Not Rated
CommentWent Oct 9, parking area is common for Lions & Mt. Harvey, and first part of "trail" (logging road) is common, and some kind souls have posted a few signs, but we decided, with timing to take the Mt. Harvey route crossing Magnesia Creek under Mt. Harvey. It's really a boring hike through overgrown foliage (and on this wet day, the brush soaked us). Had we more time, we would have continued up to a peak, or at least ridgeline, but it was not a sunny Day. The posts of "Brunswick Mt" on trailpeak look great. Another time for this area.
ByPosted By: mbcline
- Mon Jul 26 16:34:17 EDT 2004
UpsideOnce you get above the treeline, hiking through the open meadows is awesome. Finish is spectacular, sitting on the edge of steep cliffs with views in all directions.
DownsideAfter the initial moderate grades of the logging road, the trail becomes extremely steep and does not let up until the end. It's a bit of a slog until you reach the tree line.
CommentA word of caution: I would not recommend summiting West Lion to anyone without plenty of climbing experience. The route to the top of the West lion is steep and narrow, and a false move could easily cost you your life, as there are drop-offs of hundreds of metres just a few steps from the route. Loose rock is also a problem. If there are inexperienced people above you on this route, definitely watch out for falling chunks of rock. Many inexperienced people have no problem getting up it, but it's not a bright idea unless you are confident on steep rock and understand the consequences of making mistakes. Don't forget that coming down is always trickier and scarier than going up.
ByPosted By: sourdough
- Tue Jul 06 14:02:29 EDT 2004
UpsideGreat hike with lots of elevation gain and lots of great views. Also not too far of a drive from Vancouver
DownsideStupid logging road in the beginning is drives everyone nuts. Lots of bugs above the treeline.
CommentGreat hike, but use EXTREME caution if you are to climb the ear. Its not so difficult up but very tricky down. One mis-step and its a LONG way down.
ByPosted By: jonful
- Sun Jun 20 00:42:04 EDT 2004
Upsideamazing hike with incredible views of howe sound, majestic trees line the trail
Downsidetoo much snow at the top to reach the saddle, or follow the trail, but it made for some good boot skiing. logging road out of lions bay was the toughest part
Commenti will definitely be doing this one again in a month or so once the snow melts. trail time is a little more like 5 hours round trip for the fit.
ByPosted By: Ben Heaps
- Sun May 23 15:01:21 EDT 2004
CommentMyself and 4 other engphys students made it up to the ridge, just below the basaltic formation of the lions May 22, 2004. We decided to leave the summit for the future as it appeared that we would have to climb over a few rocky cliffs.
The snow is now down to waypoint 8. It was fun skiing on shoes down through the forest. A good time had by all, see photos.
ByPosted By: robdun
- Sat Feb 21 17:30:42 EST 2004
Upsidenew bridge across harvey creek, no bugs in february beauty views form the top
Downsidelong way down the logging road on the return.
Commentwe did it with snowshoes 2-2.5km after harvey Crk. we had to guess the trail after a while (it was coverd in snow) but we got up the top and had a few good slides down. (6 1/2 return)
ByPosted By: diznope
- Wed Jul 23 00:32:39 EDT 2003
UpsideTHE VIEW IS GREAT
DownsideTHE HIKE UP THE LION ITS SELF BECAUSE THERES A BIG 100 FOOT DROP ON THE 6" LEDGE TOOK ME 12 HOURS ROUNDTRIP (WITH BREAKS)
CommentA GOOD TRAIL BUT.. IM NEVER GOING TO THE TOP AGAIN
ByPosted By: v_shawn
- Thu Mar 13 00:22:38 EST 2003
UpsideNice easy trail with rewarding views up top!
DownsideOn the way back down long logging access road - but not bad if you run it.
CommentTo center of the Lions & back down to Sunset Drive in 5 hours.
Posted By: TheDagda
Posted By: jakenull
Posted By: Kimbi
Posted By: twinheadjim
Posted By: mbcline
