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Thursday looked the most promising day for our hike up Mount Strachan, and so it transpired. The weather was cool, the skies were cloudy, but we were still treated to some fine vistas.
Attendees: Craig, Ye, Peter, James, Elaine, new joiner Ed and guest Daisy.
Starting from the ski lodge we took the Howe Sound Crest (East) trail past Bowen Lookout, stopping at Lions Lookout – where only one of the lions was visible, the other being entirely wreathed in cloud.
On the trail towards St Marks Summit, we turned off between the two foot bridges, and headed up a somewhat boggy Christmas Gully.
Ye’s suggestion that we bring spikes was extremely helpful – there was snow and the rocks up the gully were very slippery.
From the saddle between Strachan’s two peaks we clambered up North peak for lunch and some spectacular views of Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Then to the South peak, past the top of the Sky Chair ski lift and the beginning of the descent.
At Collins ski run a few hikers opted for the short cut back to the parking lot.
The rest of us turned off looking for the Old Strachan Trail – a little difficult to find – but very well marked when we did get on.
This part of the hike took us over some very slippery and sometimes water-logged terrain. But it was also absolutely gorgeous, with pretty crossings over small creeks and massive jumbles of fallen and decaying trees. It added 3.5km of distance, but the chance to see some of the old growth forest right here on our doorstep made it worthwhile.
Trip length: 10.2km
Elevation gain: 640m
Time: 6hrsI forgot to attach this lovely picture – taken by Daisy.
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