Mount Gardner


View Mount Gardner (South/true Peak) in a larger map

 

What:  758m.  A mountain with two peaks!  The South (true summit) is nothing to get excited about.  The North Peak boasts a spectacular view on a clear day, 2 helipads and some telecommunication towers. 

Where:  Mount Gardner is the highest point of land on Bowen Island.  It is located near the center of the island.

Difficulty: 3/5  Several well-marked routes.
Runnability: 3/5 Paved and dirt road sections.  Singletrack.
Peak view: 4/5
Partially-obstructed views of Howe Sound peaks, city, ocean
Scenery: 4/5 Park trail, lakes, second growth forests.
Children: 4/5 Ferry ride. Treats in town.  Aggressive distance.
Dogs: 3/5 May be limited in park.

Route overview:  Varied.  A bit of road. Some wide, gravel trails.  Some old logging road and some rough single track. 

Trip distance:  Approximately 14 km return from ferry.

Trip time:  Budget 2.5 - 3 hours out and back from the ferry dock at Snug Cove.  This assumes a moderate running pace, where running is possible, and some contingency for getting lost.

Safety: 

  • Cellular coverage is spotty.
  • GPS inconsistent on trail to peak
  • no emergency shelters in area, but permanent homes in area and trail is popular
  • Recommend you bring a small version of your Baggers Companion.

History: Named by Captain George Vancouver in 1793 after Rear Admiral (later Lord) Alan Gardner.  Gardner was captain of the ships Europa and Courageous.

Headwaters for:  Some small streams.

Getting there:  The easiest and cheapest way to get to Bowen Island is by ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, BC, Canada.  The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes.

Route Details:  The trail to Mt. Gardner is well traveled.  There are several ways to get to the summit, but the Gardner Hardener trail is the most fun and direct way to the true peak.  Here's our bagger route:

  • Ferry to trailhead.  From the ferry, take your first right at the library, then go left onto the Crippen Regional Park trail after about 50M.  Nice gravel trail for about 3K.  Follow signs to Killarney Lake.  Follow left (west) side of the lake clockwise with lake to your right.  About 3/4 of the way around the lake, cross a small bridge then take the first trail to your left steeply uphill to the paved Mt. Gardner Road.  Cross and go right (west) about 200M.  You will come to a gravel road (Bowen Pit Road) with a small kiosk that has detailed topo map of the mountain. 
  • Trailhead to peak.  Take the gravel road uphill.  After about 500M, you'll come to a gate.  Shortly thereafter, look for a trail to your left (Skid Trail), also known as the Gardner Hardener.  While you can get to the North Peak via the road, the Hardener is far more scenic and takes you directly to the true summit.
  • the South summit is uninspiring.  There are a few scrubby pines, some blowdown, no view at all and a small rock cairn.  Put your rock on the pile, take your bagger photo and follow the signs on over to the North Peak.
  • on a clear day, the view from the North Peak is breathtaking.  Have a snack.  Knock the pine needles out of your shoes.
  • for a change in scenery, drop down the rope next to the big green phallus and take the North trail home.  It descends fairly steeply on nice single track.  You'll eventually drop down onto a coarse gravel road that will take you back to the kiosk at the trailhead

Neighboring Peaks

  • Bagger Challenge peak Mount Collins is also on Bowen Island.

Submitted by:  Ean Jackson and David Crerar

More information: 


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