Family Walks and Hikes on Greater Vancouver’s North Shore

By Harrison (Harry) Crerar

Family Walks and Hikes is an exciting new series of books written specifically for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. These accurate, attractive guides feature expertly curated routes, informative maps, and colour photographs.

The Lower Mainland’s first entry in the series introduces readers to a wide range of trails that North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the Howe Sound Islands have to offer. With routes ranging from neighbourhood walks to backcountry adventures to rugged mountain vistas, Family Walks and Hikes of Greater Vancouver’s North Shore has something for everyone. Trails include:

Mount Artaban

Kennedy Falls/Big Cedar

Lynn Canyon Park

Whyte Lake

Goat Ridge

De Pencier Bluffs

Lower MacKay Creek

Mount Seymour

Yew Lake

Eagle Bluffs

Hollyburn Mountain

Goat Mountain

Maplewood Flats

Lighthouse Park

Cypress Falls

Ranging from charmingly easy to moderately challenging, all of these hikes are accessible from reliable roads and popular staging areas. In addition, each hike is accompanied by a clear, colourful map, step by step directions, and full-colour photographs. Each route includes:

detailed directions to trailheads

colour maps and photographs

seasonal information

round-trip distances

trail commentary

difficulty ratings

• Language: English
• Publisher: RMB Rocky Mountain Books
• Release date: May 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781771604307

Harrison (Harry) Crerar

Harrison Crerar grew up exploring the trails, creeks, and mountains of his hometown, North Vancouver. With 3 younger siblings, he has lots of experience hiking with kids of all ages on many different trails. He is also an avid runner, and loves travel and adventures, whether hiking, on skis, or in a kayak or canoe. With David Crerar and Bill Maurer, he is the co-author of The Glorious Mountains of Vancouver’s North Shore (2018). He is currently studying biology at McGill University.

Book preview

West Vancouver

1. Tunnel Bluffs

A challenging hike to a little-known viewpoint hanging over Howe Sound.

Map of Tunnel Bluffs.

Location

Park at Tunnel Point, 3.6 km north of Lions Bay and 1.3 km north of Brunswick Beach along the Sea to Sky Highway. (If you pass Porteau Cove, you’ve gone too far north.)

Public Transit

None. The nearest bus stop is at Brunswick Beach, requiring a very dangerous 1.3-km hike along the highway.

Distance

8-km round trip

Elevation Gain

650 m

Difficulty

Very strenuous (5). Very steep and slippery in places. The trailhead is across the highway from the parking lot. Be very careful when crossing the highway, for obvious reasons.

Season

Year-round

Of Special Interest for Children

This hike is more suitable for older children due to its steepness and sometimes rough trail, but the view at the end of the hike is an excellent reward for anyone who can make it. The old-growth forest at the start of the hike creates a nice atmosphere.

From the Tunnel Point parking lot, cross the Sea to Sky Highway. Be very careful; the crossing point is near a curve in the highway, creating a blind corner. The trailhead is marked with flagging tape.

Follow the yellow markers along a steep trail through old-growth arbutus forest. You will soon pass the first of many viewpoints, which make good rest stops, although the viewpoint at the end is much better.

The trail keeps climbing steadily uphill. Two sections have ropes to help you (be careful, and always assume any trail rope will break). Past the second rope, the trail reaches an old logging road and crosses small streams.

At a well-signed junction, go left (northwest) along another logging road (right leads to Mount Brunswick). At the next junction, turn left (northwest) again.

The trail ascends some more and then descends to the viewpoint. Enjoy the view of Howe Sound before returning the way you came.

2. Whytecliff Park

This small park has many opportunities to explore, including the beach at Whytecliff Cove with lots of fun scrambling opportunities at low tide.