Mount Collins


View Mount Collins in a larger map

What:  412m.  A bushwhack with access issues. 

Where:  Mount Collins is the third-largest point of land on Bowen Island.  It is located on the north east corner of the island.

Difficulty: 4/5  Route is not flagged near the peak.
Runnability: 3/5 Paved and dirt road sections.
Peak view: 1/5
Obstructed views of Cypress Mountain
Scenery: 3/5 Park trail, 2 lakes, second growth forests.
Children: 2/5 Ferry ride. Bushwhacking.
Dogs: 3/5 May be limited in park. Private property

Route overview:  Varied.  Some wide, gravel trails.  A bit of road.  Some old logging road and a bushwhack. 

Trip distance:  Roughly 10km return from ferry.

Trip time:  Budget 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.

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.

Safety: 

  • Cellular coverage is spotty.
  • GPS readings inconsistent under tree cover
  • no emergency shelters in the area, but many permanent and weekend homes
  • Recommend you bring a light version of your Baggers Companion.

History:  Believed to be named after Lieutenant Commander William Collins of the Royal Navy.  Collins commanded the gun vessel Boxer.

Headwaters for:  Several small streams.

Route Overview:  The trail to Mt. Collins is less traveled.  There are several possible ways to get to the peak, but all involve crossing private property or watershed access.  This bagger route was selected because it appeared to allow the most running. 

  • 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 then go up to the road.  Turn right (north west)
  • stay on Mt. Gardner Road about 500M then go right onto Woods Road toward Grafton Bay. 
  • after about 500M, look for an overgrown logging road on your right.  Jump over the ditch and heed the "no trespassing" sign
  • Trailhead to peak.  Follow this dirt road up about 1K up to Honeymoon Lake.  Note that the lake is a watershed.  Begin bushwhack.  Go right (east) along the lake then up for about 2K.  The "peak" is not obvious. Hopefully, you have a GPS.  You have arrived if you find a spiderweb of netting.
  • return via same route.

Neighboring Peaks

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

Submitted by:  Davis Crerar and Ean Jackson.

More information: 


Do you have feedback on this route or more up-to-date information that might help the next person? If so, please use "Add new comment" below to share.  Thank you!