Brunswick Mountain


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What:  1788m.  A big mountain with exciting views.

Where:  Brunswick Mountain is located off the Howe Sound Crest Trail between Porteau Cove and Lions Bay, BC.

Difficulty: 4/5  Challenging trail that offers a little bit of everything
Runnability: 2/5 Popular lower section of trail offers a good warm-up.  Some light scrambling in the alpine
Peak view: 5/5
Clear views of surrounding peaks and islands of Howe Sound
Scenery: 4/5 Old growth, second growth forests.  Creeks. Beautiful alpine lakes. Great views.
Children: 2/5 Challenging from distance perspective.
Dogs: 3/5 Some sharp rocks in alpine.  Water scarce in the alpine

Route overview:  Brunswick Mountain can be approached from the Howe Sound Crest Trail (HCST) from either the north (Porteau Exit off #1) or the south (Lions Bay).  From the HSCT, the well-marked dogleg to Brunswick climbs steeply uphill through some loose rock sections to a spectacular ridge.  There are a series of points along a razor ridge with the money peak being characterized by a disused helicopeter pad.  

Trip distance:  From Porteau exit parking lot at Highway #1, roughly 20 km.   From Lions Bay, exit off #1, roughly 20 km.

Trip time:  From the parking lot at Highway #1, roughly 5-7 hours.  Subtract 1-2 hours if you drive to the trailhead at Porteau Exit. Add an hour or so if you have to park a long way from trailhead in Lions Bay.  This assumes a moderate running pace and some contingency for getting lost.

Safety: 

  • Cellular coverage is poor to non-existent.
  • GPS spotty under tree cover
  • Emergency shelter at Brunswick Lake. Firehall in Lions Bay.
  • Recommend you bring your Baggers Companion and lots of water

Name Origin:   Named around 1859 by Captain Richards, in association with other Howe Sound names, after HMS Brunswick, 74 guns, 1,836 tons, under Captain John Harvey.  

Headwaters for:  Some small streams.

Getting there:  From the north:  Drive to the Porteau Road exit off Highway #1. There is a parking area for users of the Howe Sound Crest Trail.  If your vehicle has 4-wheel drive, you may want to continue approximately 4 kilometers up the dirt road to the trailhead.  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:  The trail to the Brunswick Mountain is well traveled and a popular weekend excursion.

Porteau Exit to Saddle (3-4 hours)

  • From the parking lot, go right and uphill on a gravel road past a yellow gate.
  • Follow dirt and gravel road approximately 4 km uphill to a small clearing with a smaller dirt road to the left with HSCT marker.  If you are driving, best to park vehicle here
  • well traveled singletrack trail continues steeply uphill with a series of 3 beautiful lakes to a red-roofed shelter below Brunswick Mountain
  • continue uphill along HCST to a ridge with large trail and sign to Brunswick

Lions Bay to Saddle (3-4 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 Brunswick is clearly marked.  At ridge, look for large trail uphill to right with sign to Brunswick Mountain

Brunswick ridge to peak (1/2 - 2 hours)

  • follow well-marked trail steeply uphill along a ridge.  Watch for loose rock underfoot.
  • at the razor ridge, go right and uphill across a series of short, steep climbs and descents
  • the true peak is characterized by some old wooden beams that served as a helicopter pad.  Enjoy the 360-degree views and vertical drop!
  • return via same route

Neighboring peaks:

  • Bagger Challenge peaks Fat Ass Peak, Hat Mountain, Wettin Peak 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: 


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