Mt Seymour Winter Hike to First (Pump) Peak (1455 m)

Winter Wonderland on Mt. Seymour

 
Location: Mt. Seymour Provincial Park
Driving Time: 1 hr each way from metro Vancouver
Ascent Time: 2 hrs
Complete Time: 3.5 hours
Start Elevation: 1020 m
Max  Elevation: 1455 m
 



This part of year the the weather is usually dark and gloomy for days, with what seems like never ending rain... However, Saturday, December 4 2010 was clear and sunny with clean air and high visibility.  I probably should have gone somewhere further, but Seymour is so close which is convenient on days when sun sets so early. So off I was out of my condo on Granville Island around 12:30 pm heading east along Broadway. Usual congestion at intersection with Commercial Drive ---  one of "benefits" of liberal (or socialist) environments is never-ending construction everywhere --- still didn't manage to ruin my mood and Tang-go by Tangerine Dream helped pass the time.

I stopped at Parkgate Village strip mall and had a burger at A&W, before driving up Mt. Seymour road. Snow started around 700 altitude, but the pavement was clear and soon I was up looking for parking spot. I knew Seymour was popular, but I didn't expect that many people -- I had to leave my car on the shoulder of the road about a kilometer bellow the parking lot!

---

The air was colder than expected, but clear. I elbowed my way past human hordes and soon I was heading up normal winter snowshoeing trail towards triple summits of Mt. Seymour. I had no idea how far I'd go, but at minimum I wanted to get to Brockton Point for some late afternoon views. It was true winter wonderland with icicles hanging from snow laden pine branches




Most people stopped at Brockton point. I was only in hiking boots (no snowshoes), but the snow was hard packed and I was able to walk quite fast. In the distance I saw people on the summit of Pump peak, so I knew it can't be bad and I decided to continue. Soon I arrived to the end of snowshoeing trail with all kinds of silly warnings




Beyond this the trail diverged into series of individual tracks. I decided to follow the group of 5-6 Asians contouring west --- the slope under Pump peak was too steep to climb directly (some big rock outcrops here, but covered by snow).  Even in hiking boots it was quite easy and in some 30 minutes after I left Brockton point I reached the bowl under Pump Peak (around 1400 m altitude)



I did not linger long on the summit -- cold wind was going through my tuque and freezing my ears. This was my 5th time here, but first time in the winter -- I absolutely loved it!







Late afternoon sun created this sublime view towards Golden Ears. My 18-200 lens is quite crappy on zoomed focal distances, but this one still turned out nice (with some editing). L-R: Golden Ears, Edge Mountain and Blanchard Needle

There was still about an hour of daylight left, so I decided to drop in the bowl between first and second peak to seek some shelter and eat my Capers wrap and apple I brought for lunch. I regretted not starting earlier because second peak would be an easy 20 minute walk from here

Looking back towards Pump peak, late afternoon sun created some spectacular light and great photo conditions

I was amazed by amount of snow -- hiking trail sign was almost buried. I think North Shore mountains receive much more snow from the Rockies

At this point it already started getting late. I brought flashlight, but I really didn't feel like coming down in dark yet again so I decided to head back. Coming down I charged straight down steep slope under Pump peak, and took a break halfway down to enjoy views of the sun setting down on Georgia Strait

---

From this point it took me about 45 minutes down to the parking lot, and another 15 down the road to my car. Total hiking time was about 3.5 hours, short but very much worth. I made promise I will come back again that winter to hike all 3 peaks