I decided to take my brother's dog with me on a mid-week day hike to Hollyburn Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park. This was my first time up to this peak and was well worth the trip. I took the easy drive up to Cypress Mountain ski area. Heading westbound on Highway 99, take Exit 8 to Cypress ski area and head up Cypress Bowl Road. Just before you reach the main ski area, take the right hand turn to the Nordic ski. The trailhead is well marked with a map and information booth. Remember to pay for parking - $3 for the day.
The beginning of the trail is quite boring and uninspirational. Most people seem to take the Powerline Trail to the beginning of the Hollyburn Mountain Trail. I opted to avoid the fireroad and views of powerlines and take the Burfield Trail, which leads to First Lake and then connects with the Baden-Powell Trail and eventually to the Hollyburn Mountain Trail. Take a left at the First Lake junction and continue through the forest trail that crosses the Sitzmark trail. Evidence of the cross-country ski trails and winter cabins are evident throughout this lower trail system. The journey from the parking lot to the beginning of the Hollyburn Mountain Trail only takes about 30 minutes. The Hollyburn Mountain Trail is relatively easy and a well-maintained trail. However, it must be noted that there are some steep sections near the top, a few sections of exposed roots and some sections that could be marked more clearly. I made it to the top in 2 hours from the parking lot.
The view at the top is spectacular! The Lions are staring you straight in the face and look as though you can reach out and touch them. There were quite a few people at the top enjoying the views and sunshine. The viewpoint is the end of the trail so you simply need to return down the same way you came up. It took me an hour down making the round trip 3 hours. Stewie (my brother's yellow Lab) dealt with the trail easily and had no trouble getting to the top.
The beginning of the trail is quite boring and uninspirational. Most people seem to take the Powerline Trail to the beginning of the Hollyburn Mountain Trail. I opted to avoid the fireroad and views of powerlines and take the Burfield Trail, which leads to First Lake and then connects with the Baden-Powell Trail and eventually to the Hollyburn Mountain Trail. Take a left at the First Lake junction and continue through the forest trail that crosses the Sitzmark trail. Evidence of the cross-country ski trails and winter cabins are evident throughout this lower trail system. The journey from the parking lot to the beginning of the Hollyburn Mountain Trail only takes about 30 minutes. The Hollyburn Mountain Trail is relatively easy and a well-maintained trail. However, it must be noted that there are some steep sections near the top, a few sections of exposed roots and some sections that could be marked more clearly. I made it to the top in 2 hours from the parking lot.
The view at the top is spectacular! The Lions are staring you straight in the face and look as though you can reach out and touch them. There were quite a few people at the top enjoying the views and sunshine. The viewpoint is the end of the trail so you simply need to return down the same way you came up. It took me an hour down making the round trip 3 hours. Stewie (my brother's yellow Lab) dealt with the trail easily and had no trouble getting to the top.
Hike Completed: Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
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