St. Mark's Summit, Cypress Mountain
West Vancouver
Hiking Key: M~2~PT~S~TR~R~KS~DS~V
Length: 11 Km’s
Elevation: 1370 meters
Toilets: Yes-beginning
Dogs: Yes
Drive up to the top of Cypress bowl parking lot. Go past the building and go past the sign post (there are park maps here), take a left and walk through the petty Yew Trail and follow the BC Parks signs to Bowen Lookout. It winds through a flat WC assessable trail to a road. If you are bringing your dog you will have to go from the parking lot to the road as Dog's are not allowed on this part of trail but can go to the lookout and beyond. After you walk down the road you will start a few switchbacks. A few are a steep. Once at the top go to the left, to a beautiful lookout. That's Bowen lookout. When you are satisfied with all your pictures head back out & go left. Continue up the hill and go left at the ‘Y’ with the sign post.
The trail is well groomed for a bit. You can go as far as The Lions and Deeks Lake but today I will take you to St. Mark's Summit. Keep in mind there are no signs telling you are on your way to St. Mark's. The signs will say Deeks Lake and The Lions. As you are walking keep your eyes open for a sneak peak of The Lions on your right. Soon you will come to a rooty & rocky section of trail. It starts to get a little confusing here as the trail zig zags through the forest. Follow the trail markers. You will see them and then you won't only to realize the trail marker is behind you. It is well marked if you watch and take your time. If you don't see the trail marker you have missed a step.
Keep going as the trail is flat for a bit but don't get too comfortable. Soon it will climb up a steep area that is again rooty & rocky. Then it is flat. You will go over a rocky knoll (I went up the right side and it was easy). Finally it’s your last little rocky area. There is a sign that says St. Mark's Summit, go left up the rock and there is another rock to sit on and some trees to keep you safe. Don't go too close to the edge as it is a steep drop off. The view is similar to Bowen but higher...worth the extra few Km's to see it. You can carry on from here to other desired areas or retrace your steps back to Cypress Bowl parking lot. Happy & safe trails!
West Vancouver
Hiking Key: M~2~PT~S~TR~R~KS~DS~V
Length: 11 Km’s
Elevation: 1370 meters
Toilets: Yes-beginning
Dogs: Yes
Drive up to the top of Cypress bowl parking lot. Go past the building and go past the sign post (there are park maps here), take a left and walk through the petty Yew Trail and follow the BC Parks signs to Bowen Lookout. It winds through a flat WC assessable trail to a road. If you are bringing your dog you will have to go from the parking lot to the road as Dog's are not allowed on this part of trail but can go to the lookout and beyond. After you walk down the road you will start a few switchbacks. A few are a steep. Once at the top go to the left, to a beautiful lookout. That's Bowen lookout. When you are satisfied with all your pictures head back out & go left. Continue up the hill and go left at the ‘Y’ with the sign post.
The trail is well groomed for a bit. You can go as far as The Lions and Deeks Lake but today I will take you to St. Mark's Summit. Keep in mind there are no signs telling you are on your way to St. Mark's. The signs will say Deeks Lake and The Lions. As you are walking keep your eyes open for a sneak peak of The Lions on your right. Soon you will come to a rooty & rocky section of trail. It starts to get a little confusing here as the trail zig zags through the forest. Follow the trail markers. You will see them and then you won't only to realize the trail marker is behind you. It is well marked if you watch and take your time. If you don't see the trail marker you have missed a step.
Keep going as the trail is flat for a bit but don't get too comfortable. Soon it will climb up a steep area that is again rooty & rocky. Then it is flat. You will go over a rocky knoll (I went up the right side and it was easy). Finally it’s your last little rocky area. There is a sign that says St. Mark's Summit, go left up the rock and there is another rock to sit on and some trees to keep you safe. Don't go too close to the edge as it is a steep drop off. The view is similar to Bowen but higher...worth the extra few Km's to see it. You can carry on from here to other desired areas or retrace your steps back to Cypress Bowl parking lot. Happy & safe trails!
