u/transformersh

There is snow on the ground starting just a few hundred meters from the parking lot all the way to the base of the peak.

Microspikes and pokes recommended.

Snow is slushy, not icy.

More precisely, at Kitsilano Beach Park and Elsje Point

May 16th

Mamquam Falls is a scenic 19-metre waterfall located near Squamish. It has very beautiful, eye-catching turquoise waters and if you're in the vicinity of the Sea-to-Sky Highway, I would highly recommend it. Perfect for a slow-paced, relaxing walk!

Two options:

1. Pay but with flatter wooden trail: Squamish Canyon

2. Free with normal trail conditions in the forest: there is an entrance just to the left of exit gates of Squamish Canyon

Mt. Gardner North Summit Loop – Bowen Island | 12.15 km

Parking

Killarney Lake parking lot. Note: parking on Hikers Trail Rd is no longer feasible — there are “No Parking” signs all along the road now.

Route (loop): counter clockwise

Ascend: Mt. Gardner Connector Trail → Fun Trail → Dennis Lynn Trail → Handlogger Trail → Bluewater Reservoir Trail → North Summit Trail

Descend: Skid Trail → Upper/Mid/Lower Skid Trail → back to parking

Trail notes

• Fun Trail is a mountain bike trail — fine to hike but no Fun. Spotted a few seemingly abandoned wooden bike features along the way; trail felt lightly used by bikes.
• Dennis Lynn Trail — short section, includes a small lookout worth a quick stop before joining Handlogger Trail.
• Handlogger Trail — long and relatively uneventful, but a few hundred metres before the Bluewater Reservoir junction there’s a hidden gem: a small southwest-facing lookout with views of Pasley Island and surrounding islets.
• Bluewater Reservoir / North Summit fork — turn right (south). About 200m in, another lookout opens up with views of the Sunshine Coast and Keats Island. IMO this has a better view than the north helicopter pad on the summit.
• North Summit has two helicopter pads:

North pad: views west/northwest

South pad: views east/southeast — Vancouver cityscape backed by Mt. Baker. The standout of the day.

Difficulty

Intermediate. A few steep sections; one rope-assisted section, but manageable without it.

Bottom line

If you’re not counting the ferry, this is an outstanding shoulder-season hike — especially in winter, when low elevation means it’s typically snow-free. Views cover the Sunshine Coast, Keats Island, North Shore mountains, and on a clear day, the Olympics. Highly recommend.