View Brunswick Mountain in a larger map
What: 1788m. A big mountain with exciting views.
Where: Brunswick Mountain is located off the Howe Sound Crest Trail between Porteau Cove and Lions Bay, BC.
| Difficulty: |
4/5 |
Challenging trail that offers a little bit of everything |
| Runnability: |
2/5 |
Popular lower section of trail offers a good warm-up. Some light scrambling in the alpine |
| Peak view: |
5/5
|
Clear views of surrounding peaks and islands of Howe Sound |
| Scenery: |
4/5 |
Old growth, second growth forests. Creeks. Beautiful alpine lakes. Great views. |
| Children: |
2/5 |
Challenging from distance perspective. |
| Dogs: |
3/5 |
Some sharp rocks in alpine. Water scarce in the alpine |
Route overview: Brunswick Mountain can be approached from the Howe Sound Crest Trail (HCST) from either the north (Porteau Exit off #1) or the south (Lions Bay). From the HSCT, the well-marked dogleg to Brunswick climbs steeply uphill through some loose rock sections to a spectacular ridge. There are a series of points along a razor ridge with the money peak being characterized by a disused helicopeter pad.
Trip distance: From Porteau exit parking lot at Highway #1, roughly 20 km. From Lions Bay, exit off #1, roughly 20 km.
Trip time: From the parking lot at Highway #1, roughly 5-7 hours. Subtract 1-2 hours if you drive to the trailhead at Porteau Exit. Add an hour or so if you have to park a long way from trailhead in Lions Bay. This assumes a moderate running pace and some contingency for getting lost.
Safety:
- Cellular coverage is poor to non-existent.
- GPS spotty under tree cover
- Emergency shelter at Brunswick Lake. Firehall in Lions Bay.
- Recommend you bring your Baggers Companion and lots of water
Name Origin: Named around 1859 by Captain Richards, in association with other Howe Sound names, after HMS Brunswick, 74 guns, 1,836 tons, under Captain John Harvey.
Headwaters for: Some small streams.
Getting there: From the north: Drive to the Porteau Road exit off Highway #1. There is a parking area for users of the Howe Sound Crest Trail. If your vehicle has 4-wheel drive, you may want to continue approximately 4 kilometers up the dirt road to the trailhead. From the south: Drive to the Lions Bay exit off Highway #1. Parking is a challenge. Best to drive to the trailhead and descend to where there is legal street parking. Warning: Locals don't like you being there and they ticket!
Route Details: The trail to the Brunswick Mountain is well traveled and a popular weekend excursion.
Porteau Exit to Saddle (3-4 hours)
- From the parking lot, go right and uphill on a gravel road past a yellow gate.
- Follow dirt and gravel road approximately 4 km uphill to a small clearing with a smaller dirt road to the left with HSCT marker. If you are driving, best to park vehicle here
- well traveled singletrack trail continues steeply uphill with a series of 3 beautiful lakes to a red-roofed shelter below Brunswick Mountain
- continue uphill along HCST to a ridge with large trail and sign to Brunswick
Lions Bay to Saddle (3-4 hours)
- park where you can. Trailhead is clearly marked with a map and small kiosk
- take gravel forest service road uphill approximately 3 km. Do not go left onto smaller trails into watershed
- HSCT to Brunswick is clearly marked. At ridge, look for large trail uphill to right with sign to Brunswick Mountain
Brunswick ridge to peak (1/2 - 2 hours)
- follow well-marked trail steeply uphill along a ridge. Watch for loose rock underfoot.
- at the razor ridge, go right and uphill across a series of short, steep climbs and descents
- the true peak is characterized by some old wooden beams that served as a helicopter pad. Enjoy the 360-degree views and vertical drop!
- return via same route
Neighboring peaks:
- Bagger Challenge peaks Fat Ass Peak, Hat Mountain, Wettin Peak are relatively close. Several other Howe Sound peaks are baggable within same day by a strong runner
Submitted by: Ean Jackson and David Crerar
More information:
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