St. Marks Summit Hike - Cypress Provincial Park

The majestic North Shore mountains provide an amazing  backdrop for Vancouver, B.C. - arguably  one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  These mountains  tower over the city and ocean below and call out to those who wish to get outside and explore.  Today we decided to grab our backpacks and hiking poles and head to Cypress Provincial Park.  The park features numerous opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts....a smorgasbord for day trippers and mountaineers alike! 

Howe Crest Sound Trail

We decided to hike the Howe Crest Sound trail to St. Marks Summit, and potentially push on to the Lions, a famous Vancouver landmark.  The trail head began near the Crazy Raven Bar and Grill on Cypress Mountain.  The lodge is a great spot to grab a coffee and treat after your day trip and is also great apres ski meet up during the winter months!  

Crazy Raven Bar and Grill - Cypress Mountain

As we parked our car we reminisced about the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.  Cypress Mountain was made noteworthy for it's lack of snow, but despite all of the controversy the Mountain brought us memorable Olympic moments including our first medal won by Jennifer Heil, (Ladies Moguls) and our country's first Olympic gold.  Who can forget Alexandre Bilodeau's golden moment? We stopped to snap pictures of the Olympic Rings and chatted about our favourite Olympic moments.  GO CANADA GO!

Memories of Vancouver 2010

We began the hike up through the forest.  We had the trail to ourselves and we enjoyed the peace and quiet of the forest.  The air was fresh and chilly.  The trail came out of the forest and we joined a logging road and continued our climb.  We re-entered the forest and continued to climb...yes we were gaining altitude quickly!  The trail was extremely well marked and well maintained - thank you BC Parks! 

Natural Staircase

We hiked the switch backs as we continued to climb.  The mosquitoes and flies dictated our pace....we found that if we kept a good speed up they didn't bother us, but the second we stopped they instantly found us and proclaimed lunch!  The underbrush began to thin as we continued to ascend.  Our legs enjoyed the soft pack trail and we marvelled at the natural staircase made of all the tree roots.  The trail was challenging in sections as we navigated roots, rocks and slippery sections. 

Our hard work climbing was rewarded as we were afforded peek a boo views of Howe Sound.  Like magic the fog lifted as we neared the ridge line and we could see for miles!  We passed through alpine meadows and arrived at St. Marks summit.  The view from the summit was breath taking....we looked down over the ridge - 1400 metres to the ocean below. 

Spectacular View from St. Mark's Summit

We were concerned about the time and not sure if we would be able to reach the Lions and return before dusk.  We regretted our late start as it was beginning to look like the Lions would be out of reach.  We decided to push on a little further before making our final decision  The trail markings were infrequent and we were relying on flagging tap to lead us on.  As we began quite a steep descent the fog began to roll in.  Visibility was quite poor.  We were concerned that we might be on the wrong trail so we decided to return to St. Marks summit and check our maps and look for trail markings.  As we arrived back at the Summit we met another couple of hikers.  We asked if they knew where the trail to the Lions continued.  To quote, "interesting you ask.  My daughter and her friend were just air lifted out by search and rescue last week.  They got lost on their way to the Lions."  Our decision was made.  We chose to enjoy lunch on the summit and return another day to visit the Lions...with better maps and an earlier start!

Giggle of the day:

We had a late start today, and as we rounded the bend onto the Cypress Mountain access road we were forced to come to an abrupt stop.  We were expecting to see wildlife on the road, or a car accident, but instead there were 500 cyclists blocking traffic as they  waited at the start line for the Cypress Challenge...a 12 km bike race....straight uphill.  You could feel the anticipation and excitement in the air.  Traffic was directed around the cyclists and we giggled to ourselves as we rejoiced in the fact that we were driving up the road to our trail head.....and not MASHING our way to the top!

Map and Route Tips:

Deep Cove by Kayak - Indian Arm Provincial Park

When the sun is shining and the water is calm there is no better city escape than kayaking out of  Deep Cove, just minutes outside of Vancouver.  Indian Arm Provincial Park protects the shores of this amazing 18 kilometer fjord extending from Burrard Inlet in Vancouver.

Deep Cove, British Columbia

We began our day with an early start launching our kayaks from the beach area at the Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak beach front centre.  Conditions were absolutely perfect - a slight cloud cover, no wind, flat water  and tides in our favour.  We slowly paddled out of Deep Cove enjoying the views of the waterfront homes and the marina.  A few rowers and paddle boarders were also on the water sharing that early morning feeling of bliss!

Exploring the shoreline

We did not have time to paddle to the estuary at the end of the arm, but we did enjoy the trip up Indian Arm past Camp Jubilee and Silver Falls toward Bishop Creek.

Silver Falls - Spectacular!

On our return we crossed the arm and enjoyed a slow leisurely paddle exploring the shoreline.  The salmon were jumping...and the seals were feasting!  We spent several minutes watching a seal catch and devour his lunch.  We passed the old BC Hydro power plant and marvelled at the granite cliffs and majestic forest looming beside us.

BC Hydro Power Plant

The water was calm so we had a great view of the sea life below.  The wildlife viewing on the Arm is a treat.  The area features black bear, deer, coyotes, racoons and cougars - just to name a few.  It is also well known for bird watching and of course the tide pools are always fascinating to explore as they abound with life.

Underwater camera catches the vibrant colours of life below!

The paddle ended all too quickly as we returned to Deep Cove.  We were thrilled to see numerous families renting boats and heading out to begin their paddling adventure on Indian Arm.  It just doesn't get much better than this!

Giggle of the day:

We decided to paddle over to Twin Island to stretch our legs and enjoy a short hike and snack break.  As we approached the island we could hear a very loud rumbling....not thunder but the sounds of campers from Camp Jubilee loading up their voyageur canoes for the return trip to base camp.  We enjoyed watching the controlled chaos from afar and wisely chose to land at South Twin Island.....far enough from the campers to be out of the way but close enough to share in the giggles as the team of young paddlers and their fearless leaders tried to navigate their way back to camp.

Map and Route tips:

The winds usually pick up early afternoon as they sweep up Indian Arm.  Be sure to check your tide tables and marine forecast before heading out.  High winds and an incoming tide can really make the paddle back to Deep Cove quite a challenge!



For those wanting longer trips, marine camp sites are available at Twin Island, Granite Falls and Bishop Creek.  We have enjoyed many an evening camping on the arm!

Granite Falls - Marine Campsite

Salt Marsh by Kayak - Deas Island Regional Park

It is always amazing to us that in an area as populated as Metro Vancouver you can find secluded nature hideaways within minutes of the big city.  Deas Island Regional Park provides such a getaway!  We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon paddle and spent time exploring the salt marshes of the South Arm Marshes Wildlife Management Area.

Launch site at Deas Island Regional Park

We began our trip with a nice, dry launch from the dock at Deas Island Regional Park.  The launch area has great parking (free), washrooms and easy water access....all the amenities of the big city!  As we arrived several young rowers from the Delta Deas Rowing Club were finishing up their training session and working hard to bring their shells up to the club house.  Amidst the giggles and high jinx of a spirited group of rowers we jumped into our boats and began an easy paddle up the slough towards the salt marshes.  Conditions were perfect - no wind, flat water and the sun was shining!  We were in our boats for only a few minutes when we were greeted by a river otter scrambling across the banks.  We floated by and enjoyed the show!

Paddling through the salt marsh at high tide

Our route took us under Highway 99 and past Captain's Cove Marina.  The kayaks always feel extremely small and powerless next to the ocean going yachts and sailboats docked at the marinas.  However, it always makes me smile when I think of how the ocean manages to challenge and entice us all....from paddlerboaders, sailors, kayakers to captains of yachts we all seem to feel drawn to the water.

Captain's Cove Marina and Pub

We paddled on to explore the floating homes moored along Ferry Road in Ladner.  Talk about nature at your doorstep.  What a unique lifestyle!  Imagine your living room rising and falling with the tides, panoramic views of the salt marshes and no traffic snarl-ups.  Of course, you do have a wide variety of birds thinking your front porch is an excellent place to hang out for the day.

Touring the Floating Homes

Our return route took us through the secluded channels of the marsh.  Definitely something you want to do during high tide.  These channels twist and turn and seem to go on forever....and yes....we did get lost!  It is quite disorienting in the marsh as the banks of the channels are high and you quickly lose sight of key landmarks.  We laughed as we imagined ourselves paddling through the marsh, the tide going out and being stranded on the salt flats.  Something we would prefer not to do.  After reaching a dead end, we decided to backtrack and made our way back out.

Which way now ??

The wildlife viewing in this area is usually terrific as the Fraser River Estuary marsh habitat is home to a wide range of species from Great Blue Heron to Eagles and songbirds and shorebirds.  This area is actually one of the most important areas in the province for aquatic bird and raptor habitat.

Gulls take advantage of a sandbar

We meandered our way back to the boat launch and reluctantly called it a day.  But, what a fabulous day it had been!

Return trip to the boat launch

Giggle of the day:

It is always a lot of fun to paddle along side the floating homes.  They are all unique and summer is a great time to view them, as the decks feature wonderful flower boxes.  We must confess that we were probably a bit "snoopy" and were travelling too close to the floating homes.  As we were trying to peek inside one of the living areas, we failed to notice a fishing line that had been left out.  Before we knew it Rob was tangled up in the line!  Needless to say the houseboat owner caught a big one that day!

Map and Route Tips:



Be sure to check your tide tables and marine forecast before heading out of Deas Slough.

The south arm of the Fraser River has quite a strong current and is very busy with large commercial traffic - not recommended for a leisurely paddle.