Mount Seymour

One of Vancouver's most popular hikes.

Statistics

Directions

From Highway #1 (Trans-Canada Highway), head north over the Ironworkers Memorial (Second-Narrows) Bridge in the middle lane. Take the third exit after the bridge (#22a), signed as Mount Seymour Parkway. Turn right onto Mount Seymour Parkway almost immediately and follow it 4.4 km before turning left onto Mount Seymour Road.

Follow Mount Seymour Road as it winds it's way up the mountain. Drive to the end of the large parking lot at the end of the road. Start at the Mount Seymour Trail kiosk, to the left of the Mystery Peak chairlift. Mount Seymour Provincial Park requires parking passes for vehicles during the summer months.

Details

Net elevation gain is 455m, cumulative gain may be closer to 600m.

The route follows north , parallel to the ski run, then swings right though a meadow, then left to follow the ski run before making its way up to Brockton Point. Soon the trail goes right and downhill, skirting the eastern slopes below Pump Peak. Then you'll cross an open area on your way to a prominent gully that leads you up to Second Peak. From the top of the gully you'll carefully move downhill, then to your right as you traverse the north side of Second Peak, then follow the obvious ridge up to another plateau. This will lead you to another gully that the trail uses to access the summit of Mt Seymour, also called Third Peak.

You may choose the old route up the mountain by looking to turn left just past the tarn at Brockton Point and climb the south face of Pump Peak. Depending on which route you choose up the face, you will be scrambling some Class 2 and 3 rock in some areas. This route will join the main trail on the plateau beyond Pump Peak.

It should be noticed that some popular Vancouver hiking guides incorrectly list this route as requiring scrambling. The trail does not require any scrambling (using your hands) under ideal conditions.

It should be noted that during the winter this trail can be a serious undertaking, complete with avalanche hazards. The trail's popularity combined with many cliffs and bluffs on the mountain results in an above-average number of search-and-rescue operations on the mountain. Plan your hike accordingly and make sure you are prepared.

Photographs

GPS Waypoints

Trailhead kiosk	N49.36774 W122.94889	10U 503711 5468338
Dog Mountain Trail Junction	N49.36856 W122.94918	10U 503690 5468429
Dinky Peak Trail Junction	N49.37233 W122.94948	10U 503668 5468849
First Lake Trail Junction	N49.37311 W122.94987	10U 503639 5468935
Trail Joins Ski Run Service Road	N49.37633 W122.94590	10U 503927 5469293
Trail Leaves Ski Run Service Road	N49.37792 W122.94370	10U 504087 5469470
Brockton Point	N49.38165 W122.94189	10U 504218 5469885
Elsay Lake Trailhead	N49.38615 W122.93615	10U 504634 5470386
Pump Peak	N49.38716 W122.94125	10U 504264 5470498
2nd Peak	N49.39025 W122.94373	10U 504083 5470841
Summit	N49.39302 W122.94470	10U 504013 5471149