Howe Sound Crest Trail Run
The Howe Sound Crest Trail is probably one of those iconic trail runs in the world. Starting from Cypress Ski area and making it's way down to Porteau cove, it's both spectacular to drive (need to shuttle cars) and more spectacular to run across the ridgeline; overlooking the entire Howe Sound as you do. The one thing you'll notice when you plan out the route is that Cypress Provincial Park has a sliver of land dedicated to the trail and the remainder is tenured crown land. Most for logging and the ski resort with the rest part of the watershed. It's an interesting history because it tells a tale about the history of the park. Cypress Park was first established in 1975, but did not include the sliver of land for the HSCT. That portion was added in 1982. I'm not entirely sure why that section was added; however, there was a lot of contention around development because of it's proximity to Vancouver's watershed.
Other than being a traverse and requiring logistics to set up car shuttles, the trip is quite straightforward in the summer time; with water really being the only thing of concern during the later part of summer. The trail can be done as either a 1-3 day hike; however, given that it's only 28KM long and not that much elevation gain if going south to north, it's like best done as either a 1 or 3 day trip. The extra weight of overnight gear may not be worth it.
There's tons of information on the route, elevation, gpx file, etc. and it's rather straightforward now that the whole route is marked. This means more time focused on the beauty of the trail and less time wayfinding.
The hike itself is as beautiful as anything you could imagine in a dream. running along a ridgeline overlooking a fjord and ticking off peaks as you go. Something truly spectacular. The first stop along the way is St Marks Summit, where you get a 180 degree view of the Howe sound inlet.
As you continue along the trail, you'll pass another mountain before the ridgelines becomes more definitive and the lions become visible. On low overcast days, it feels like shrouds lifting of Gondor or wandering into the Elvin Kingdom.
If that wasn't enough to entice you, once you start descending through to the lion's pass, the crux of the trip presents itself. Nothing harrowing in broad daylight, but with low lying clouds obfuscating the way ahead, it does allow offer your brain an avenue to play some mind tricks on you. In some ways, it takes away from the nerves because you never really get to see how far up you are standing.
As mentioned earlier, the trail is unimaginably beautiful. There isn't a single time until you run out of water where you feel like you are in a fairy tale. Then you go into survival mode, trying to reach Magnesia Meadows. It's definitely advisable to bring at minimum purification tablets, but I'd also recommend a filter as plenty of people in the summer swim in the pond sequestering their bodily bacteria into the only water spot in summer. Sometimes the lake dries up. If that happens, you'll have another few Kms before you reach Brunswick lake and by this point, you'll really want to start conserving water. Eventually, you start descending the ridge and you make it to water sources so turquois, you'd mistaken it for mediterranean water; albeit much colder.
Gear List:
- water filter
- 2 750ml waterbottle + fanny pack (would probably recommend ditching the fanny pack and bottles for trail running backpack or trail vest)
- Emergency blanket
- First aid kit
- Light windresistant jacket
- GPS watch with trail map. Recommended over using smartphone, although one could get away with using their smartphone.