Mount Crickmer

Mount Crickmer in Mission is one of those hikes that looks innocent on paper and then absolutely works you over in real life. It’s a long 17.9 km out-and-back with around 1,215 m of gain, and while the stats say “difficult,” most locals would bump that to “type 2 fun.” Expect a quiet day out, very few people, and a summit view that makes you forget how much you swore on the way up.

The first 4–5 km are all about grinding up old forestry roads, steady but a bit dull, so settle into a rhythm and follow your GPS because the junctions can be confusing. After the washout, Mount Crickmer turns into a narrow, overgrown track through alders and brush, with some light creek crossings and a steeper push into the subalpine. Once you finally pop out near the top, the payoff lands hard: big 360-degree views over Stave and Alouette Lakes, Golden Ears, Mount Baker, and the Fraser Valley, plus some fun echo spots if you’ve got energy left to yell.

Current reports from Mount Crickmer say to expect bushwhacking, wet brush, and route-finding challenges, even though there’s flagging here and there. Long sleeves, pants, poles, and downloaded maps are pretty much mandatory, and you’ll want to be bear aware, as sightings and scat are common. Snow tends to linger near the summit from late fall through spring; in shoulder seasons hikers are getting by with good boots and maybe microspikes, but in deeper winter you’ll want full winter gear and be ready for soft snow and postholing. Aim for a clear day, start early, and treat the listed 2.5 hours as fantasy unless you’re seriously fast—most people are out much longer.