Unnecessary Mountain
Length: 15 km
Elevation Gain: 1,100 m
Difficulty Level: Hard
Unnecessary Mountain is located in Cypress Provincial Park.
The trailhead starts at the Cypress Lodge parking lot. For the first half of the trail, hikers follow the Saint Mark’s Trail, which is very popular. That section is straightforward and not technical. If you’re heading to Unnecessary Mountain, you probably don’t want to spend much time at Saint Mark’s Summit or Bowen Lookout—the views at Unnecessary Mountain are far better, and there are fewer people.
After Saint Mark’s, the trail conditions change significantly. First, you’ll descend about 150 meters over one kilometer, then ascend about 300 meters over the next 1.5 kilometers. This part of the trail can be a bit frustrating—not just because of the elevation changes, but also because it’s often muddy in late spring and early summer and with tree roots. Bugs can also be an issue.
You’ll first arrive at the false summit. Looking north, you’ll see another peak (the South Summit) that’s slightly higher than your current position. You might as well continue the short distance to reach it. The views from the peak are beautiful and offer a full 360-degree panorama—Howe Sound on one side and endless mountain ranges on the other.
There’s also a North Summit not far from the South Summit, but I didn’t go there, as I heard the views are essentially the same.
Once you’ve enjoyed the views and taken a rest, return to the parking lot via the same route. Remember that elevation loss and gain between Saint Mark’s and Unnecessary? You’ll be doing it again.
There are a few water sources between the trailhead and the Mount Strachan junction, but none after that. Most of the hike is through forested areas, except for some open sections before Saint Mark’s and near the summit of Unnecessary Mountain. Sun protection is recommended.
