Perhaps it’s because I’m a chronic planner, but more so it’s just because I love hiking so damn much I have created this summer hiking plan for the upcoming year. I want to maximize the number of incredible hiking trails I get to explore. Instead of reaching each weekend wondering “where to next?” I can just refer to this trusty plan, grab my boots and go!
I’m a fair weather hiker, I’ll admit it. I will still occasionally venture out when it’s raining as I know the stunningness of the temperate rainforest we are blessed with here in beautiful British Columbia is still present in all conditions but most days I am a wimp. I much prefer a hot, sunny, clear day, especially if I’m heading up into the alpine. It’s so defeating climbing meters upon meters only to find oneself staring out at clouds instead of the phenomenal expansive vista of mountaintops and valleys the trail report promised you. It has taken me a few years but I have finally figured out the recipe for creating the perfect hiking plan – factoring in predicted weather, anticipated snow levels and progressively increasing grade for a smooth transition from the cozy but soft winter bod into the ultimate end of summer weekend warrior.
Here is my plan by month, hoping to tackle 1-2 of these hikes near Vancouver each weekend.
MARCH
- Teapot Hill
- Norvan Falls
- Polytrichum Lookout
APRIL
- Mount Galiano
- High Knoll
- Jug Island
- Burnaby Mountain
MAY
- Tunnel Bluffs
- Cypress Lake
- Cheakamus Lake
- Lindsay Lake
- Al’s Habrich
JUNE
- Mount Elphinstone
- Upper Pierce Lake
- Kalulua Trail
- Crown Mountain
- Mount Brunswick
JULY
- Watersprite Lake
- Needle Peak
- Flora Lake
- Twin Lakes – Haylmore Melvin Divide
- Skyline I
AUGUST
- Mount Assiniboine
- Phillip’s Ridge
- Cirque Lake
SEPTEMBER
- Dogtooth Traverse
- Chain Lakes Loop
- Yellow Aster Butte
Note I have hiked quite extensively around the region so there are many, many more trails perfect for each month but I have probably already hiked them so they are not listed here. For a full list of hikes click here.
To keep up the momentum mid-week, some of the faster and shorter post-work sweat sessions I do on a regular include the Grouse Grind, BCMC, Quarry Rock, Whyte Lake, Velodrome Trail, Coquitlam Crunch and Dog Mountain.
Stay tuned for photos and trail reports on each by following us on Instagram and Facebook.
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