Mount Gillespie - Seed Peak - Pinecone Peak

Mount Gillespie – Seed Peak – Pinecone Peak is one of the big, serious days in the Squamish backcountry. This 27.5 km out-and-back with around 2675 m of gain is an extreme objective, with long, steep climbs, exposed scrambling, and glacier travel that push it well past a casual hike. Strong, experienced parties can expect an 8–10 hour effort, with plenty of route-finding and very little margin for error.

The line links three rugged summits with huge views over the Squamish Valley, Mamquam country, and deep into Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. Expect rough tread, sections of hard class 4 and 5 scrambling around Mount Gillespie, and glacial terrain where an ice axe and the skills to use it are not optional. Navigation is not obvious, so a GPS track and offline maps are key, and many locals prefer tackling the loop section counter-clockwise to climb the steepest rock instead of downclimbing it tired.

Access is half the battle on the Mount Gillespie – Seed Peak – Pinecone Peak route. The main road is reported open again, but the spur to Seed Peak is deeply rutted with water damage, so only high-clearance 4x4s are making it; regular SUVs are already turning around at the first corner, and cars should not try it. Expect seasonal closures and snow to linger well into early summer, check BC Parks for Pinecone Burke updates, bring full backcountry gear, and plan for a hot-day dip in a few small tarns along the way once the snow is gone.