Can unforgettable experience be just a half hour (by car) away from Vancouver? That's right the amazing adventure is this close. You don't need even a car as you can use bus from Vancouver with a change in Horseshoe Bay with total time 75 minutes.
You can do this hike within one day or enjoy the full potential the hike offers and extend it to two days hike. Of course I chose the two days option as I simply couldn't leave without enjoying the sunset on the top of the mountain. It's simply worth it.
Not for beginners
This hike is not for beginners as it has a status of hard/difficult hike. Do your research, as I didn't before this hike. I found it simply on Google maps through photos and liked the views. In fact this was my very first mountain hike. So even beginner can do it. Just be careful. I met a few people on a way to the top giving up and going back down as it was too difficult for them. In some parts you will have to scramble your way up. Don't forget enough water as I didn't find any water source on a way to the top (it might be smart to take with you water purifying tablets as on the top can be still snow and on a way down you can find a few water streams). I did this hike at the beginning of July and there was still up to two metres of snow on the top. Be prepared to have a lot mosqitos around you. If I didn't discourage you let's go for the adventure.
The easy beginning
I started the way up with the more difficult part as the easier part was my way back down from the mountain. There are actually 4 ways how to reach the top of Unnecessary Mountain. 2 ways are from Howe Sound Crest Trail (both directions) and other two start in Lions Bay which means you don't need to use the same trail up and down and you will still end up in Lions Bay. I started with Unnecessary Mountain Trail on a way to the top. Most of the trail goes through the forest so you don't have many opportunities to enjoy the views. The beginning is quite easy and not as steep as the rest of it. (Even if you have a light weight on your back just the way up can take you a few hours.)
It's getting steeper
The higher you get the steeper trail becomes. In some parts are available ropes to help you with your intention to get to the top. At some point you will certainly start to worry this mountain doesn't have a top. You will see many times blue sky through the trees suggesting the top is getting closer, no it's not and it is most likely clear you are just in 1/3 of your way. After a while the mountain will become less and less steep getting you a hint you might be almost there. Unfortunately it's neccessary not to start celebrate, it's not the top of the Unnecessary Mountain yet (you are on the top of a little peak as you can see on the photo below). The last challenging part is ahead of you but if you already see some snow you are not that far away.
Reaching the Top
Suddenly snow is more present than you could wish for. It's a good sign and you are almost there. When you will see on the horizon wooden signpost it's the finally top of Unnecessary mountain. I believe this trail doesn't take into consideration bigger amount of snow which means in some cases you will have to get creative. Especially when on the path where you are suppose to go are two metres of snow you might need to adjust the path. You also reached the Howe Sound Crest Trail. The trail on the top won't be also as easy as you could expect (in case you have a lot of snow around you).
Towards West Lion
You are now following the Howe Sound Crest Trail towards West Lion Mountain and looking for a nice spot where you can enjoy the views. I stayed on the top overnight and enjoyed the sunset.
The way down
I was following Binkert Trail (The Lions) on a way down. With all the snow was the first part quite steep and I lost the path a few times but after a while the trail becomes less steep and more enjoyable. Most of the trail on a way back will be again in the middle of forest so when you reach a lower altitude there will not be much to see but nature around will be nice. The last part is very easy and it's when a path will become a road. It's a sign Lions Bay is close :)
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