Saint Mark's Summit — Attraction in Electoral Area A

It’s all about the Howe Sound Crest Trial, which is one of the North Shore's Classic mountain ranges with an epic 29-km-long stretch from Cypress Ski Resort to Porteau Cove at Squamish. The trial takes you over multiple summits, offering spectacular views of Howe Sound, The Lions (which are seen from the entire Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area), Mt. Unnecessary, Mt. Harvey, Mt. Brunswick, Deeks Lake, and Enchantment Lake.

It was so nice to trek up to just St. Mark’s Summit, a trial that has challenging terrain with rewarding panoramic views. It wasn’t that easy to climb up and down so many mountains along the way, but once you reach your destination and see what it has to offer, it’s all about the accomplishment of not backing out due to the difficulties you encounter to reach up there.

Note: In order to stay hydrated, bring more water than you used to carry as there isn’t much water throughout the first half of the...

The hike to St. Mark Summit is the best in Cypress Provincial Park. The 10.8 km (6.7 mi) trail is a loops that is moderately visited. The starting point at Baden Powell trail is located at the Cypress Lodge, near the ski lift (ask if you dont see the sign). There are several worth-while add on loops like Yew Lake and Bowen Lookout. Its recommended to visit May - October (not winter due to the steep slopes and avalanche risk). The trail offers plenty of greenery and flowers, residual snow melting into creeks, and a stunning view from the summit. Note that there are loose rocks, sections of steep slopes, "rooty" sections, and potentially, areas of maintenance due to erosion and landslides. Good shoes recommended. Dogs...

A tough hike, but totally worth it! A few friends and I (varied fitness levels) did this hike yesterday later afternoon and didn't encounter many other hikers, but we've heard this trail is hectic on weekends. It took us about 1.5h up at a quick pace, with a short break at the summit, then another 1.5h down, due to the complex root/rocks/switchbacks. We found the beginning rather easy, but it definitely changed to multiple step switchbacks with lots of roots and rocks, which slowed down the pace. I'd recommend hiking poles for the way up and down, to help stabilize. May be the nicest views we've seen in such a short hike! Don't...