The West Lion via Howe Sound Crest Trail

The West Lion via Howe Sound Crest Trail is one of the toughest day hikes you can do out of Cypress in West Vancouver, and it fully lives up to the reputation. On paper it’s about 18 km out and back with over 1,400 m of gain, but most hikers’ watches record closer to 23–26 km and nearer 1,600–1,800 m by the time they stagger back to the car. Long, steep, and relentless is the theme here.

You’ll roll out from Cypress Bowl, pass the busy St. Mark’s Summit crowds, then head toward the twin bumps of Unnecessary Mountain, which absolutely earns its name with constant ups and downs in both directions. Views of Howe Sound, the Lions, and the Coast Mountains open up whenever the clouds clear, and the final stretch to the West Lion is a serious, exposed scramble with some class 3–4 moves, ropes, and narrow ridges. Many people stop at the West Lion “hump” or base, as the last bit is no-fall terrain that demands solid scrambling skills and a cool head.

Current reports on the West Lion via Howe Sound Crest Trail say the route is well marked but easy to drift off if you’re tired, so keep an eye on your GPS between the Unnecessary peaks and near the Lion. There is essentially no reliable water, so think 3–4+ litres per person on a warm day and don’t expect streams; late spring and early summer can still bring snow patches and may warrant microspikes. Start early, plan for 8–10 hours round trip from Cypress, and if you’re unsure about exposure, treat the base of the West Lion as the turnaround and still call it a huge day out above West Vancouver.