Mount Killam


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What:  844m.  A good adventure with decent views of the Howe Sound peaks. 

Where:  Mount Killam is located near the middle of Gambier Island in Howe Sound.

Difficulty: 3/5  Seldom traveled.  Good trail marking.  Some good singletrack.
Runnability: 3/5 Dirt road to trailhead.  Some overgrown logging roads and small stretches of singletrack to peak.
Peak view: 1/5
No views at peak.  Decent views of Howe Sound peaks to west from lookout below peak
Scenery: 4/5 Old growth forests.  Creeks.
Children: 3/5 Aggressive distance.
Dogs: 4/5 Minimal water on trail.

Route overview:  The Mt. Killam trailhead is best approached from the public ferry landing at New Brighton.  Take the dirt road inland past a few homes and small logging operations to a quarry.  Trail to peak is well marked on old logging road and singletrack.  

Trip distance:  From New Brighton, roughly 10 km out and back. 

Trip time:  From New Brighton, budget 3-5 hours out and back. 

Safety: 

  • Cellular coverage is inconsistent.
  • GPS spotty under tree cover
  • No emergency shelters in the area.  Permanent homes in New Brighton.  Some cabins closer to trailhead.
  • Recommend you bring your Baggers Companion. 

Name Origin: Unknown.

Headwaters for:  Some small streams.

Getting there:  Gambier Island is accessible by private boat or water taxi.  The trailhead to Mt. Killam is a rock quarry several kilometers from the water.

Route Details:  The road to the trailhead is seldom traveled.  The trail to Mt. Liddell is well marked, but seldom traveled. 

  • From the public dock in New Brighton, take the main paved road steeply uphill.  It soon turns to dirt and homes give way to small logging operations.  After about 4 kilometers, watch for a gravel pit to your right
  • trail is along a narrow ridge to left of quarry.  Stay left as you pass through a clearcut block.  At the end of the clearcut, stay right and follow an old, moss-covered road
  • after crossing a creek, be careful to look for flagging on your left.  Follow good trail uphill through an open forest.
  • after a scramble up a steep bit, look right to several rocky terraces.  This is your best view
  • very thin trail continues for about 15 minutes to pea.  Look for small rock cairn as a reward.  
  • trace your steps back down the same route to the gravel pit

Neighboring peaks:

  • Bagger Challenge peaks Mount Liddell and Mount Artaban are also on Gambier Island.

Submitted by:  Ean Jackson and David Crerar

More information: 


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