Blue Gentian and Lost Lake via Brothers Creek Loop

Blue Gentian and Lost Lake via Brothers Creek Loop in West Vancouver is one of those hikes that feels way more remote than it actually is. At 8.4 km with about 446 m of gain and a high point around 829 m, it’s a solid moderate outing that usually takes around three hours. You get a mix of quiet forest, small lakes, and a bit of adventure, without needing to drive deep into the backcountry.

The loop starts out on the Brothers Creek fire road, which is wide but honestly a bit dull and steep, then things get much more interesting once you hit the Lost Lake and Blue Gentian sections. The singletrack here is narrow, rooty, and easy to lose if you’re not paying attention, with creek crossings, fallen logs, and short muddy stretches keeping it engaging. Blue Gentian Lake and Lost Lake are small but very calming spots to linger, and there’s even a “secret” waterfall along the way that makes a great mid-hike cool-down on warm days.

Right now, the big thing to know is the damaged bridge across Brothers Creek on the Crossover Trail, which is flagged and officially closed; people are still crossing, but it’s low, slick, and you’re ignoring signage if you do. Expect lots of roots, some slippery wooden bridges, and seasonal snow and ice in winter and early spring, when route-finding gets tricky and this loop is not ideal for beginners. Use a GPS map like AllTrails the whole way, park respectfully in the residential area, and consider the nearby Brothers Creek – Lost Lake – Baden Powell option if you want to avoid closures and get a more consistently interesting route.