Mount Seymour Trail
This trail, as the name suggests, is in Mount Seymour provincial park, North Vancouver. The trailhead is at Mount Seymour Ski resort. It’s an out-and-back trail. Round trip is about 8 km and elevation gain is about 550 m. The parking lot is large, so you should be able to find a space unless you come during peak winter skiing season. During the winter skiing season, you will need a day pass to park along the road leading to the main parking lot.
Along the trail, there are 3 peaks, the first (pump) peak, the second (pump) peak (aka Tim Jones peak), and the third peak (Mount Seymour itself). Between two peaks, there is a gully. Be prepared to have some descending and then ascending. Again the descending and ascending is not steep as some other trails. The trail is ascending almost all the way from the trail head to the second peak. There is minimal tree coverage after the second peak therefore proper sun protection is necessary. Bring enough water depending on your hydro need, From the second peak to the third peak, there is a bit of scrambling.
Snow covers the trail most time of the year so micro spikes are a good idea to bring along during your hike in the winter and early spring seasons. There are several popular hiking trails, like Dog Mountain, and many side trails, that share part of this trail, therefore an offline trail map is highly recommended. Trail markers are sparse in some sections so another good reason to have offline maps. In winter or spring, the trail markers will be covered by snow. During your hike, pay attention to any available trail markers (or your offline map) because some trails will lead you to other difficult and long hikes.
The main trail is rocky (small rocks and big boulders in the last push to the summit) from end to end.
I hiked this trail in both summer and winter season. The trail, and the views look and feel totally different depending on which season you hike (with or without snow). Outside of snow-free season, the trail has a lot of sections where you need your hand to pull yourself up. I am a bit hesitate to call it scrambling but be prepared to get your hands dirty. However they are not that hard core scrambling type like you do in Golden Ears Summit. There are a couple sections of narrow ridge walking.
You will have beautiful views of surrounding mountains, the city of Vancouver and neighboring areas on any of three peaks on a clear day.
Mount Seymour Trail in Winter
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” – Edward Abbey
Mount Seymour Trail in Summer
