Mt. Brunswick (1790 m)

Lions, Mt Harvey and Horseshoe Bay from the summit

Location: Lions Bay,  Sea to Sky Corridor
Driving Time: 40 minutes from West Vancouver
Ascent Time: 4 hours
Complete Time: 7 hours
Start Elevation: 220 m
Max  Elevation: 1790 m

Gunn Scramble #9

Mt. Brunswick is very popular ascent along Sea-to-Sky corridor -- many people rate it as their favorite! Having already done two other trails from Lions Bay (Mt. Harvey and Binkert/Lions Trail), I decided to head up Brunswick on this sunny August day. In particular I was curious about the "moderate" portion of the scramble; when comparing Alberta and BC Scramble books I generally find M. Gunn ratings to be about half a notch easier. This perception held true: most of the ascent is just a steep slog, and crux upper ridge was quite easy.  (For comparison I think Heart mountain near Canmore is more difficult!)

Getting to the Trailhead is straightforward (after you eventually manage to get out of Vancouver that is!).  Heading north along Sea-to-Sky (Hwy 99) it takes about 20-30 minutes from Horseshoe Bay. Now that all road improvements for 2010 Winter Olympics are history, the drive is quite fast and very scenic.  Taking Lions Bay exit, I followed directions from the book and drove up to the trailhead, but could find no parking space even if it was mid-week. I turned back and managed to park on the shoulder about a kilometer down the road. I was grateful; otherwise I'd have to park at the usual "overflow" parking next to the Lions Bay elementary school, which would add extra couple of 100's of altitude. I started hiking at 1:15 pm.

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BC Parks Kiosk in Lions Bay Trailhead. Initial part is up wide switchbacking forestry logging road that can be steep at times. Some people bring their mountain bikes for that part. Since I generally suck in biking uphill, I decided to head up on foot -- but I can see how return trip can be cut in more than half with a bike. It is a viable option.

There are lots of black bears in Lower Mainland (but for grizzlies you have to go north).  They can present a problem in the summer, as they sneak all the way to people backyards in Lions Bay and dig through garbage bins.

After about 35 minutes of brisk pace I arrived to the intersection. Right and wider fork leads south towards the Lions and Mt. Harvey. I took narrower branch to the left for Mt. Brunswick and Mt. Hat. Beyond the intersection Brunswick Trail contours left and crosses 2 drainage gullies without gaining much elevation.  First gully was dry, but second had swift stream flowing down. It was easy to rock-hop; on return I re-filled my water bottle, and washed off the sweat from the face which was very refreshing.


Elevation gain and switchbacks soon resumed, but the trail was still suitable for mountain bikes.  1 1/2 hours into the hike I reached this clearing with great views west to Howe Sound.  Bowen Island just right of center (Photo taken on return). This is the place to leave the bike as the trail reverts to single track here and becomes brutally steep with plenty of trademark rocks and roots.

After about an hour of heart pounding ascent enclosed in the forest, views open up. Here I took 15 minute break and enjoyed great views north-west. Gambier Island in the center; Tantalus range in the distance to the right. This viewpoint is about 15 minutes before intersection with Howe Sound Crest Trail (HSCT).

Hat from the viewpoint.  There is official trail to the summit -- just a hike. The odd-looking needle on top is microwave radio-repeater; frequent occurrence on the summits of Lower Mainland.

I resumed my ascent and soon reached HSCT intersection. For for Mt. Hanover go left on HSCT.  For Mt. Brunswick, I continued straight up with brief stop to enjoy this view of Mt. Harvey. I climbed that one in May 2009.

Steeper, and more scrambly in nature the trail climbs through open forest and rubble filled sub-alpine slope to the low saddle between east and west summits of Mt. Brunswick.  The remainder of the ascent to true, west summit lies ahead and is quite enjoyable ridge scramble in dry conditions.  Initial part hikes up to the false summit in the center of this photo; the crux is immediately behind.

Crux on Mt. Brunswick -- 20 or so meters of narrow and exposed ridge. Most of it can be bypassed on the right (south), and except for one slightly awkward move is not a problem.

Helipad just beyond the crux. True summit in upper right in some 10 minutes of easy scrambling along the ridge. The views were simply outstanding. Distant peaks of Garibaldi Provincial Park in the distance.

Summit views north -- simply spectacular! It was warm and sunny, with no wind. I took at least half an hour here enjoying lunch and just being happy to be alive on such a beautiful day.  Deeks, Brunswick and Hanover lakes valley is sometimes hiked from the trailhead in Porteau Cove on Sea-to-Sky. Howe Sound left, Tantalus range in the distance.

Mt. Hannover from the summit -- steep and challenging scramble. Either of two gullies can be used for ascent. According to reports right one has difficult chockstone at the bottom, while the left one is notably looser -- both difficult scrambles.  See this Club Tread Report

West Lion telephoto from the summit. Metro Vancouver behind









For descent I simply retraced my steps. It was much shorter, but quite hard on the knees -- about 1500 vertical! Final impressions on the quality of this scramble are mixed: Upper part offers some outstanding views and enjoyable scrambling, but rest is just steep, forest enclosed slog -- matter of fact for most North Shore mountains.  Although I am enjoying it now more and more, I still have problems adjusting to the fact that in Alberta this would be the elevation to climb Mt. Temple -- with open views the entire way. I guess I am just not a big fan of hiking in the woods. Nevertheless Brunswick is worthwhile ascent and in my opinion offers better views than either Harvey or the Lions.

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Here are the stats from my GPS -- this is the first scramble I used my Garmin I bought in Calgary few weeks before (no government robbery a.k.a PST in Alberta). Plenty of waypoints, that are completely not necessary; I was playing and learning how to use my new "toy"!

GPS Waypoints

Vertical profile -- best indicator of steep slog that awaits!