Mount Artaban


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What:  615m.  The summit promises good views of Lions Bay to Bowen Island.  Unfortunately, the key distinguishing feature of this peak is the remains of a wooden forest service lookout tower.

Where:  Mount Artaban, the 3rd highest point of land on Gambier Island, is located at the south end of the island.

Difficulty: 2/5  A good trail for beginning to intermediate baggers.
Runnability: 3/5 Gravel road and some single track.
Peak view: 3/5
Partially obscured.  Large pile of wood, glass and rusting nails takes away from atmosphere.
Scenery: 4/5 Variety includes coast, cottages, old growth.
Children: 4/5 Ferry ride adds to adventure.
Dogs: 4/5 May be an issue on the ferry.

Route overview:  Varied.  A bit of gravel road.  Lots of single track.  Well-marked.

Trip distance:  Roughly 12 kilometers return from government dock at Halkett Bay, 10km return from Brigade Bay.

Trip time:  Budget 2.5 - 3 hours out and back from the government dock at Halkett Bay/Fircom.  This assumes a moderate running pace, where running is possible, and some contingency for getting lost.  Add 30-45 minutes if you start at the marine park and 15-45 minutes less if you start at Brigade Bay.

Safety: 

  • Cellular coverage is spotty. 
  • Fairly dense tree canopy, so GPS may have inaccuracies
  • growing number of permanent and weekend residents on the island, so emergency help is not far
  • Recommend you bring your Baggers Companion. 

History: From the book "The Other Wise Man" by Henry Van Dyke

Headwaters for:  Several creeks, but no major rivers.

Getting there:  The easiest and cheapest way to get to Gambier Island is by hitching a ride with a friend who owns property on the island.  Given few of us have such friends, it is possible to take a water taxi from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.  The ferry ride to Halkett Bay or Brigade Bay takes about 20 minutes and costs roughly $25 per person, each way.

Route Details:  The trail to Mt. Artaban is relatively well traveled.  There are two decent bagger trails to the summit: one from Halkett Bay Marine Park or the Halkett Bay government dock in the south, the other from Brigade Bay in the north. 

1. Halkett Bay Government Dock:

  • from the government dock, head inland on the gravel road.  Take Jay Road uphill to where it ends at the trailhead in about 3K.  (There are several large, blue metal signs referencing the trail along the way.)
  • the trail is well marked with orange metal tags.  Mostly runnable.
  • take note of the old growth Douglas fir and western red cedar as you climb
  • the summit is fairly flat.  You will know you have arrived when you see the remains of a wooden lookout tower

2. Brigade Bay:

  • from the dock, take the gravel road left and uphill
  • trail is well marked with orange flagging tape.

Neighboring peaks:

  • Bagger Challenge peaks Mount Liddel, Mount Killen are also on Gambier Island.

Submitted by:  Ean Jackson and David Crerar

More information: 


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