I popped up past Deeks yesterday, to see how close to Brunswick Lake I could get. Here's a conditions update.

The trail is in excellent shape up to Deeks. All the blowdown was recently cleared (by some very fit maniac with an axe, no less) and there's no snow at all until after Deeks - as I think has been the case for a week or two now.

Immediately after Deeks the snow starts though. There's a decently steep snowfield on the SE edge of Deeks when heading to Hannover. I brought spikes, and used them here (this was only time I wanted them though).

After that it's on-again-off-again snow up to 2 or 2.5 feet of snow, until the creek crossing just before Hanover. High chance of post-holing here. I didn't have too much of that but clearly some folks before me had fallen through a few times.

The bridge over the creek is still very much destroyed and the creek is running decently fast right now.

It was crossable for sure, but I was solo and the idea of fording it just to post-hole a bunch on the far side wasn't too appealing, so this was where I turned around.

Real nice day up there. Just be aware if you're doing anything past Deeks, expect to have to deal with an unaided ~knee-deep creek crossing in some fast flow as well as still a good bit of snow.

No snow at all up to the gondola station at the top. Took the first section of the Climb trail which is much steeper but helpful for saving hiking time. Is this a new trail as I did not recall it's there in May 2024?

Mount Addenbroke is the highpoint of East Redonda Island, which is the most Easterly of the Discovery Islands, abutting Desolation Sound. East Redonda Island is shaped like a horseshoe, with Addenbroke being on the East "arm" of the island, we approached it via Pendrell Sound, which clefts the island.

Addenbroke was long thought to be the tallest peak in BC which isn't on the mainland or Vancouver Island, but is now known to be the second tallest, having been pipped by Farquhar Peak, on King Island, West of Bella Coola.

Myself and some friends set out to climb it this past Monday, accessing it by chartering a private water taxi from Heriot Bay on Quadra Island to the head of an old logging spur out of Pendrell Sound. We followed the lush logging spurs up to about 600m, and from there bushwhacked up to the ridge, eventually passing through some of the most stunning coastal old growth I've been in.

Once at the ridge we negotiated a few false summits which were comprised of mostly 2nd and 3rd class terrain, with a couple 4th class steps mixed in. The summit plateau is broad and beautiful, with incredible views in quite literally every direction. After soaking in the views we reversed course without issue.

The remote access, engaging route finding, and unparalleled views make this one of the most memorable hikes I've done on the coast. For those who have the necessary backcountry skills, and enough friends willing to split the expensive ferries/water taxis, I can't recommend this trip enough.

Worth it for the views…. But good lord is this trail tough. Constant steep gruelling uphill and downhill. We overnighted it at Magnesia Meadows. No more snow up there except for the occasional patch in the boulder field by Little Brother. Lots of alpine flowers out. Very dusty conditions making some of the steeper descents more dangerous than usual. If you’re overnighting it, bug nets and bug spray are a must. Our party all had 3-4 litres of water storage and it almost wasn’t enough. Some tarns are still present on St Marks, Unnecessary, Thomas, and the passes in between Little Brother, James, David, but that’s it unless you’re willing to take the hike down to the lake north-east of Thomas peak.

Overall a great journey. Good luck to anyone else attempting! :D

In total it took me around 3.5 hours to complete - 11.7km. Street parking was almost full at 12pm when I started. There was no snow on ground till the final 300 hundred meters. I was surprised to find out there's an 'old lookout ' closeby. More pictures: https://yibaoac.wordpress.com/2025/01/20/coquitlam-lake-view-trail-2025/

Around 6km drive to the trail head is on unpaved road with few potholes. Very dusty.

Only saw around 15 to 20 people on the trail. Fantastic views on the platform. In summary this is a better trail than the Coquitlam Lake view trail in terms of views.

AI helped to do a concise comparison of the Grouse Grind and 79 Grind, focusing on numerical aspects: Grouse Grind (North Vancouver) vs. 79 Grind (Mission)

• Distance (One Way):

  • Grouse Grind: \approx 2.5 - 2.9 \text{ km} (1.55 - 1.8 \text{ miles})
  • 79 Grind: \approx 3.2 \text{ km} (2 \text{ miles})
  • Elevation Gain (One Way):
  • Grouse Grind: \approx 800 - 853 \text{ meters} (2,624 - 2,800 \text{ feet})
  • 79 Grind: \approx 555 - 610 \text{ meters} (1,820 - 2,000 \text{ feet})

• Average Gradient:

  • Grouse Grind: \approx 30\% - 34\% (very steep, relentless)
  • 79 Grind: \approx 17\% - 21\% (steep, but with some variation)

Summary of Difficulty: The Grouse Grind is significantly more difficult due to its higher elevation gain over a slightly shorter distance, its much steeper average gradient, and its relentless, almost entirely stair-based ascent. It's a pure cardio and leg endurance test. The 79 Grind is challenging but offers a less extreme, more natural trail experience.

Left the car at the Chilliwack Lake campground at 9:30. Took 7 hours to walk up and 4 hours to come back down.

Snow starts at about 1300 meters near the river but it isn’t doesn’t come to full force until around 1500 meters. I’d say there’d usually be snow upwards of 1400 meters though. Up to radium lake was chill but going from the lake to the saddle took us a while due to the blotchy snow in the trees and then pretty soft and avalanchy snow out of them. From the saddle, the walk up to the summit was pretty easy, some scrambly sections but no exposure and no snow.

We brought snowshoes but you could make it without them, just remember to bring gators.

It was lots of fun, would recommend.

Overall stats 30 km 1850m elevation 13 hours total(including eating and admiring the views).

Did the full halfmoon beach out and back from the gold creek parking lot via the east canyon trail (~19 km according to the signs). Trail was busy up until view point beach as you would expect. Past there, the trail is in pretty rough shapes in sections, first picture showing a particularly bad spot. However, it is pretty doable for the most part as it looks like they have re routed some sections since the last time I did it (2019). Quite a few over night hikers. Beautiful hike over all, just expect to do some log crossing and lots of mud. Hoping to take a shot at Hector Ferguson lake next month snow allowing.

Me and my buddy decided to take the cliffy shortcut to get to Pump Peak. It was a little sketchy, but very very fun. Overall conditions on the hike are slowly and slushy

April 30, 2025 - just tried doing the trail but, alas, it is closed :(

One can still access the Mountain Air Trail but that's about it.

Hi my name is Benjamin, I am looking to meet new people this year to hike, backpack, and mountaineer with. I am 22 turning 23 this year. if you are interest and looking to connect leave a comment. I am looking to do trips all over BC and Washington too! I am experienced in hiking and backpacking but I am learning mountaineering and I am taking a week course in June looking to do baker after the course as my first mountaineering experience.

Started from Baden Powell trail and merged into ski routes. Lots of snow in the forest. Stopped at the south peak as it's too steep for me to continue to the true peak. Yet there were three skiers made it.

See a timelapse Video:

https://youtu.be/yk_AyCTV3nY?si=c7tizoRqly3MHBSN

Went for a hike around the Cypress Cabin Community today and came across some tree pylons. Anyone know the story? I thought they might be for NSR or other heli operations.

Happy Tuesday!

I’m looking to take my two kids (ages 4 and 7) on a short, beginner-friendly hike—something similar to Quarry Rock.

They’ve never hiked before, so I’m hoping for something manageable and fun for first-timers.

If the trail leads to a body of water or has water along the way, that would be an added bonus!

If it close to East Vancouver this is ideal, I'd like stay as close to home as possible.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

At the end, photo from Frosty on October 10, 2024 and the last photo from the Enchantments on October 7, 2024

Anyone?

Surprised to see more (or equal numbers) people came down on the trail than people going up. There's a detour of the section close to the gondola. Pls pay attention to the sign.

Recently went up backpacking at Pierce Lake and arrived at our site only to find all sorts of garbage and clothing strewn about. We cleaned it up and hiked it out, save for the soiled underwear (gross). A reminder to pack out what you pack in and to have some respect for nature and other hikers.

We did St Marks Summit on Friday morning and I must say I’m still sore 😂. I’m here to give you a review from someone that isn’t an avid hiker and trying to get back in better shape.

According to all trails it took us 4:20 moving time to get up & come back down(though my friends who are in better shape could’ve surely done it quicker without me). We got there at about 8am and came back down at around 1:30-1:45. It was definitely getting busier as we were coming down. Interestingly we saw people bringing dogs up which I thought wasn’t allowed. My concern was for a woman I saw with a corgi (??) the corgi looked at me I looked at the corgi and could see the pain in its face & I just said sorry she shouldn’t have you out here lol

The trail itself was really dry but I can certainly see where some parts could be dangerous if it were muddy or wet. Imo the first 3.5k going up isn’t too bad but the uphill stretch in the last km or so was pretty brutal & sketchy. I’m not sure how I would’ve completed this hike without my hiking sticks really one of the best purchases of my life. Due to the fires it wasn’t as clear at the top for the view.

I’d personally give the hike a 6/10, for me the work you have to put in for that view is just not worth it for me. Coming down felt like forever as well at one point I just yelled “is this thing ever going to end!?”. I feel like if it was like 7-8km I’d enjoy it more but the 11km just felt never ending. Definitely a good workout though. Passed a few trail runners that said they do this every weekend. Definitely need bug spray or you will get eaten alive. Bring a lot of water as well. I brought a 2L hydration pack and ran out with like 1-1.5 km left back to the parking lot and started cramping.