View Unnecessary Mountain in a larger map
What: 1548m. An intermediate climb with good partial views.
Where: Unnecessary Mountain is located on the Howe Sound Crest Trail above Lions Bay, BC.
| Difficulty: |
2/5 |
Well-marked trail |
| Runnability: |
3/5 |
Popular HSCT offers a good warm-up. |
| Peak view: |
4/5
|
Clear views of surrounding peaks and islands of Howe Sound |
| Scenery: |
4/5 |
Old growth, second growth forests. Ocean views. |
| Children: |
3/5 |
Challenging from distance perspective |
| Dogs: |
4/5 |
Not much water |
Route overview: Unnecessary Mountain is located on the Howe Sound Crest Trail (HCST) between Lions Bay and Cypress Mountain.
Trip distance: From Lions Bay, exit off #1, roughly 9 km. From Cypress parking lot, roughly 7 km.
Trip time: From Lions Bay, anticipate 2.5 - 5 hours. Add an hour or so if you have to park a long way from trailhead in Lions Bay. From Cypress, plan for 2 - 4 hours. This assumes a moderate running pace and some contingency for getting lost.
Safety:
- Cellular coverage is inconsistent.
- GPS spotty under tree cover
- Firehall in Lions Bay. Ski lodge at Cypress.
- Recommend you bring your Baggers Companion
Name Origin: Named by climbers in the 1920s who found it to be an obstacle in their route to the West Lion.
Headwaters for: Some small streams.
Getting there: From the north: Drive to Cypress Mountain Provincial Park. Park in paid lot. Take Howe Sound Crest Trail (HCST). From the south: Drive to the Lions Bay exit off Highway #1. Parking is a challenge. Best to drive to the trailhead and descend to where there is legal street parking. Warning: Locals don't like you being there and they ticket!
Route Details: Unnecessary Mountain is on the Howe Sound Crest Trail (HSCT). There are 2 routes: From the south (Cypress Park) or the north (Porteau Exit) on the HSCT.
Cypress (1.5 - 3 hours)
- from the Cypress Mountain parking lot, follow wide and well-marked HSCT around the ski lodge to Strachan Meadows
- trail narrows considerably and goes over St. Mark's peak
Lions Bay (2 - 4 hours)
- park where you can. Trailhead is clearly marked with a map and small kiosk
- take gravel forest service road uphill approximately 3 km. Do not go left onto smaller trails into watershed
- HSCT to the Lions is popular and clearly marked. Continue south along the ridge to Unnecessary
Neighboring peaks:
- Bagger Challenge peaks St. Marks Mountain and West Lion are relatively close. Several other Howe Sound peaks are baggable within same day by a strong runner
Submitted by: Ean Jackson and David Crerar
More information:
Do you have some feedback on this route or some more up-to-date information you'd like to share? If so, please use "Add new comment" below.
