SUMMER TRAILS

Yew Lake Trail (barrier-free): Length: 2-kilometre loop. Suggested time: 1 hour. This self-guided interpretive trail begins near the alpine ski facilities and goes through sub-alpine meadows. It provides access to an additional short loop through a fascinating old-growth forest stand. Sorry, no dogs allowed. The Yew lake trail is closed to dogs due to the sensitive marsh ecosystem. Guide dogs for the visually impaired are welcome.

Black Mountain Loop: This easy hike is 2.5 km in length, and should take just over 90 minutes; the elevation change is 100 m. Situated astride Black Mountain Plateau, the trail winds through sub-alpine meadows, skirting the edges of several mountain lakes. Quoted length and time include the recommended side trips to enjoy the Yew Lake viewpoint and the Vancouver look-out.

Baden-Powell Trail: This trail extends for 48 kilometres from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Deep Cove (North Vancouver) along the North Shore mountains. The Cypress Park section passes over Black Mountain and along lower Hollyburn Mountain.

• Horseshoe Bay to Cypress Bowl (Alpine ski area): Length: 8.5 kilometres (one way). Suggested time: 6 hours. Elevation change: 1,040 metres. The trailhead is in a parking lot at the North end of Eagleridge Drive (just off Hwy 1) near Horseshoe Bay. The trail goes up to Eagle Bluff, over Black Mountain and down into Cypress Bowl.
  
• Cypress Bowl (Alpine ski area) to Craigmohr Drive (West Vancouver): Length: 9.5 kilometres (one way). Suggested time: 4 hours. Elevation change: 470 metres. From Cypress Bowl, the trail runs east through ancient forest on Hollyburn Mountain, intersects the Hollyburn Peak Trail, and heads down near Hollyburn Lodge to continue southeast through West Vancouver Municipal Mountain Lands to Craigmohr Drive.

Cabin Lake Trail: Length: 1 kilometre. Length from Cypress Bowl parking lot: 7 kilometres (return). Elevation change: 275 metres. Suggested time: 3 hours. Follow the Baden Powell Trail up Black Mountain for 2.7 kilometers to the Cabin Lake trail. The trail passes several small lakes, the Yew Lake Lookout and the south summit of Black Mountain before connecting back to the Baden Powell Trail.

Hollyburn Peak Trail: Length: 1.3 kilometres. Length from Nordic Ski Area: 8 kilometres (return) Elevation change: 400 metres. Suggested time: 4 hours. From the Nordic Ski Area Parking lot, hike up the powerline road to the Baden-Powell trail. Follow the signs up the mountain to the Hollyburn Peak Trail. This trail leads to the top of Hollyburn Mountain and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Howe Sound Crest Trail: Length: 29 kilometres (one way).Trail begins in the Cypress Bowl Alpine ski area and leads north along Mount Strachan’s western slope past the Lions and Deeks Lake before descending to Hwy 99 just south of Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Sections of the trail are extremely rugged and easy to lose in inclement weather. Only experienced and well-equipped backcountry travellers should attempt to hike this trail beyond the Bowen Lookout. Winter use of the trail is not recommended beyond Bowen Lookout.

Four Lakes Loop: Length: to First Lake 1 km, to West Lake 1.7 km, to Blue Gentian 2.1 km, to Lost Lake 3.2 km, total loop via Brother’s Creek Trail 7.2 km. From the BC Park’s information kiosk at Hollyburn Mountain’s nordic ski area parking lot, follow the Burfield Trail to the Baden-Powell Trail (100 metres past First Lake). Follow the Baden-Powell Trail for 500 metres to the West Lake Trail junction. Carry on along the West Lake Trail past West Lake and on to the Blue Gentian Trail. At Blue Gentian Lake head east along the Lost Lake Trail descending once past Lost Lake to the Brother’s Creek Trail. Head up the Brother’s Creek trail returning to Blue Gentian Lake. Go west on the Blue Gentian Trail for 300 metres which returns you to the Baden-Powell Trail. Return to the nordic ski area by heading up the Baden-Powell Trail.

WINTER TRAILS

BC Parks marks three winter backcountry access trails with bamboo markers topped with orange paint. A free backcountry corridor pass is required for access to the Howe Sound Crest and the Black Mountain Plateau trails. Passes may be obtained from the Cypress Bowl Resorts for no charge.

Note: Dogs must be on leash and under control at all times.
Please remove excrement to 3 metres off of trail or day use area.

Hollyburn Hiker’s Access: Length: 5 kilometres (return). The trailhead is located 25 metres north of the BC Parks information kiosk in the nordic ski area. The trail is marked to Hollyburn Peak.

Black Mountain Plateau Winter Trail: Length: 7 kilometres (return). The trailhead is located 50 metres northwest of the BC Parks information kiosk in the downhill ski area. The trail is marked to the south summit of Black Mountain and loops through ice covered lakes.

Bowen Lookout (Howe Sound Crest) Winter Trail: Length: 3 kilometres (return). The trailhead is located 50 metres northwest of the BC Parks information kiosk in the downhill ski area. The trail passes the Yew Lake meadows and is marked to Bowen Lookout. Winter travel beyond this point is not recommended due to extreme avalanche terrain.

Note: Winter trail distances may change due to varying snow levels.

Skiing

Cypress Provincial Park has a lot to offer anyone interested in winter recreation. The alpine ski area features three chairlifts and a double rope-tow that services a wide range of slopes and runs. There are also a number of groomed and maintained ski touring/cross-country trails. Adjoining areas have been set aside for tobogganing and show-shoeing, while snowmobiling is only permitted on designated trails. Snowmobiles may not be operated elsewhere in the park. There is a licenced lounge and cafeteria that offers a full selection of meals and refreshments.

Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

Return to Cypress Provincial Park.