Eagle Bluffs Hiking Trail near West Vancouver, BC

Lina from Richmond writes:

Did this hike yesterday, and the trail was pretty good. Some areas were extremely muddy on the way to the Eagle Bluffs view, so I wouldn't wear your nicest runners if that's what you usually hike in. Jack's description is quite accurate, but I didn't find the climb back up from Eagle Bluffs too difficult, in fact, I found it easier than going down. I would recommend going back down the way you came, or finding another route, because the way down the ski slope is brutal. It is so hard on your joints (and I'm only 24!), and didn't really seem worth it for another point of view. Granted, the last view from the top of the ski slope is nice. Overall amazing hike though, worth doing. (We're just starting out hiking, not incredibly fit, and with a lunch break the hike took 5 hours)

Posted: October 17, 2011 06:00:49 PM PST

Adrian from North Vancouver writes:

I too hiked this route Sept 7th as did Jack below. His notes perfectly describe conditions, only couple things I would add are;
I hiked early, leaving about 7.30 and had breakfast up on the Bluffs. Lovely time of day with the morning sun and it helped beat the heat too. If you have this option with your schedule I recommend it.
Also, yes the ski slopes are slippery on the loose gravel coming down and fully exposed to the sun which is quite brutal right now by the middle of the day. If walking on a hot day you might prefer to reverse the walk and go up the ski slopes and down the pedestrian trail from Cabin Lake. However, it too was really steep and loose gravel so might be just as lethal to come down !
Awesome views though so don't let any of this put you off, it's gorgeous on the Bluffs.

Posted: September 9, 2011 08:19:23 AM PST

jack from vancouver writes:

(Sep 7th, 2011) Sunny warm day, ~20-23C. We're two (average-in shape) mid-30s couple and finished the entire suggested hike in exactly 3 hours. Very few muddy patches here and there near the lakes (non-issue). The flies and mosquitoes were very annoying especially near the lakes, so wear light-coloured clothing and bring bug spray. Remember to bring water if you decide to see everything on a warm day. (at least 1L/person?) There are three difficult parts: 1) The very first ascent in the beginning resembles a mini-grouse grind; 2) the way back from the bluff (not that bad, just lots of roots); but we found the worst part is 3) coming back down from the ski slopes, it was all gravel, very difficult to walk on, took us 30 minutes from the top of the ski lift back down to parking lot....and did i mention those bugs?....arh, but the view is very nice! :)

Posted: September 7, 2011 07:37:51 PM PST

Diane from Maple Ridge writes:

Did this hike on Friday Sept 2 great hike wonderful view at the top well worth the hike

Posted: September 5, 2011 08:19:28 PM PST

Leanne from Coquitlam writes:

Did the walk today and it was wonderful - appropriately muddy and buggy but the trail is in good condition, the views are spectacular and the return very pleasant. On the return we were a little confused as were other hikers when we got to the marker to return to the black mountain look out but we trusted the directions given and went right. This was a great idea as the view was superb and it was a nice shortcut back to the parking lot via the slopes.

Posted: August 27, 2011 11:30:14 PM PST

CATHERINE from VANCOUVER writes:

We did this hike today, it was a challening hike up the mountain. just when you want to give up going up you come across beautiful Yew lake and then finally after another 30 minutes of climing you see the bluffs. well work the hike but missed walking through lush mountain trails. a large portion of the hike is the backside of black mountain which is mostly stone gravel.

Posted: August 27, 2011 07:54:59 PM PST

Ryan Thomson from Vancouver writes:

I was up there today. Trails are clear - some muddy parts though!

Posted: August 20, 2011 09:48:22 PM PST

Marie from Surrey writes:

Has anyone been up here recently. Looking for an update on snow

Posted: August 19, 2011 10:50:17 PM PST

Kelvin from Vancouver writes:

Did this hike today, bypassed black mountain on the way there. There was a lot of snowy sections and where there wasn't snow, there were a lot of muddy sections. Take the higher ground where possible to avoid the heavy muddy areas. Went back via black mountain and recommend that route to get to Eagle Bluffs as that appeared to be a dryer route.

Your shoes will get dirty given the conditions but spectacular view when you reach the bluffs.

Posted: August 1, 2011 08:48:01 PM PST

dustan from burnaby writes:

Great hike, beautiful view from the top and challenging route up. The way back down is a little hard on the knees though. The total trip took about 3hrs.

Posted a few photos from the day at: http://wixmymordsup.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/scaling-the-walls-of-black-mountain/

Posted: July 31, 2011 01:42:48 PM PST

Kevin from Coquitlam writes:

Did this for the first time on Saturday. Absolutely gorgeous view at the end!

Heads up, there is still a decent amount of snow for the upper half of the switchbacks and for the middle part of the loops. Some of the people in my group didn't have hiking boots and weren't too happy with their soggy and frozen feet for the snow sections.

Posted: July 24, 2011 05:45:00 PM PST

Snowella from Vancouver writes:

Did this hike today starting at cypress ski parking lot. Although the trail was pretty clear for the initial section, there was 1-2 m of snow for the majority of the hike still. Made the trek a bit tricky as the snow was slushy and slippery throughout. But we stuck through it, and made it to eagle ridge, which was dry and the view was spectacular! Saw other hikers come up from horseshoe bay who said that trail was all clear of snow, so that might be a dry, but perhaps steeper, alternative.

Posted: July 9, 2011 09:17:40 PM PST

Joyce from Burnaby writes:

Just wondering if anyone has been up Eagle Bluffs recently? Thinking of going this weekend- is there still lots of snow? When is the best time to go to miss the snow?

Posted: June 6, 2011 10:44:52 AM PST

Tom from North Van writes:

Having snow shoed up to Black Mtn. a few times, I'd like to continue to Eagle bluffs. Does anyone have a map or very clear description of how to do this without getting lost?

Would greatly appreciate it.


Tom

Posted: February 20, 2011 01:43:03 PM PST

john H from Burnasy BC writes:

I snowshoed this trail yesterday (December 11, 2010) Lots of snow. Trail is marked by red (or sometimes yellow) metal squares attached to trees. The ravens on the bluffs were experts at mooching trail mix. An excellent snowshoing trip; I highly recommend it.

Posted: December 12, 2010 05:53:18 PM PST

bert jansen from holland writes:

is there annybody who can tell me how i can get the photo of cabin lake? the second photo on the site.
we have been there in june, but there was no good wheter to make exelent pictures. so i like to have specialy that photo. i like to have him in the origanal size because i want to make a panorama picture.
i hope someone can help me.

Posted: October 10, 2010 01:06:34 PM PST

Paul from Vancouver writes:

@Martin There is a small parking lot that is accessible from the old Hwy 99 road just above the ferry terminal. Follow the signs for Eagelridge Drive and as you get past the roundabout and go down hill around the ferry terminal, watch out on your right. You should not miss it, but if you get past the little bridge that goes to Whytecliff park, you've gone too far. The parking lot gets busy in summer so go early.

We did the hike 2 weeks ago and I have to say it is a hard one. There are two rockfall areas where you have to climb over some big boulders. The terrain is steep and slippery at times. It's supposed to take 4 hours but it took us 6 with small breaks. The reward at the end is fantastic though and the feeling is great.

Posted: August 1, 2010 08:28:19 AM PST

Sha from Vancouver writes:

Re: Lala's question - 8km is return.
I hiked the trail with my two kids yesterday. From the end of downhill ski parking lot, find the sign of Yew Lake/Black MTN trail to start. The begining was not steep as I thought, and the marks were easy to find and follow. The views were was fantastic and breathtaking at Yew Lake Lookout, on the top of Black Mountain and Eagle Bluffs.
We saw a couple of ravens. Some colorful dragonflies and butterflies around the small lakes made my kids very happy. The downside was that there were too many bugs and insects near the top. Recommend to bring something that will drive them away!

Posted: July 29, 2010 09:49:01 PM PST

Lala from Vancouver writes:

Can anyone tell me if 8km if one way or return. thx

Posted: July 27, 2010 01:00:10 PM PST

Harjot from Vancouver writes:

Snow is completely clear now. VERY steep at the beginning, but the view at the top is worth it!

Posted: July 24, 2010 06:28:21 PM PST

Ben from Vancouver writes:

Thanks Peter, ended up doing the hike on the 17th, it was fantastic, a little steep at the beginning though, my legs are burning

Posted: July 19, 2010 09:06:00 AM PST

Peter from Vancouver writes:

Re: Ben's question - just did the hike today! Great weather, and virtually no snow, and very little mud. A nice hike with a great view - plus it's very close to the city.

Posted: July 17, 2010 03:47:31 PM PST

Ben from Vancouver writes:

Anybody done this in the last week or so since it has been super warm? Any snow left?

Posted: July 16, 2010 03:23:06 PM PST

Martin from Vancouver writes:

Can you still access the bluffs from the highway? Back before they built the new highway there was a pull out near Horseshoe Bay. You could hike all the way up to Eagle Bluffs from there and it was a beautiful hike, going through a couple of small flatter wooded areas, past a couple of lakes, one of which was fenced off I think because it was a watershed area. Later on you went up and over a series of bluffs finally ending up on top of Eagle Bluff.
Has anybody figured out if this trail is still accessible from anywhere near the new highway?

Posted: July 5, 2010 10:21:35 AM PST

todd from burnaby writes:

just did the trail June26,2010,there is still snow covered some area, but it is ok to walk on it. It is worth to go there.

Posted: June 27, 2010 05:39:00 PM PST

AC from Vancouver writes:

Hiked this trail on June 12, 2010. There is still a bit of snow on the trail, as you get near the top of the chairlifts. Made it to the top of the chairlifts but decided not to continue to cabin lake, eagle bluffs etc due to snow. Will retry in 1-2 months!

Posted: June 12, 2010 11:14:25 PM PST

Tanya from Vancouver writes:

Has anyone hiked this trail this year yet?? How is it?

Posted: June 12, 2010 09:32:34 PM PST

Norm Watt from North Vancouver writes:

Re my comment from August 23, 2009 on the Eagle Bluff hike, I have as of February 2010 an "Off the Beaten Path" hiking book available in stores now. Published by Harbour Publishing, it has this Eagle Bluff hike and 30 other hikes, all in either North or West Vancouver. Most of them are from the summer 2008 and summer 2009 hiking column in the North Shore News.

Posted: February 21, 2010 08:43:03 PM PST

Richard Izdebski from Burnaby writes:

Another comment re: Maureen's question ...... Norm's column is a fantastic description of the route but the Knee Knacker (a Baden-Powell Trail run!!) website also has a good section where the course is described.

The scree slopes are hard work and the boulder field looks pretty daunting from the bottom. Stick to the right and you can't go far wrong. There are some flags leading the way off the boulder field. The trail leading up to Eagle Bluffs is very steep in places. I'd recommend it but it's hard work and give yourself at least 4 hours.

Posted: August 25, 2009 10:59:49 AM PST

Norm Watt from North Vancouver writes:

Re Maureen's question on August 12th about starting the BP from Horseshoe Bay, I have a hiking column in the North Shore News that describes how to do it. On www.nsnews.com, find under "Back Issues", Sunday July 12th, and look for my "Off the Beaten Path" column.
There are hiking columns every Sunday from the beginning of June until the end of August, but the July 12th one describes this first part of the Baden-Powell, as far as Cypress Bowl.

Posted: August 23, 2009 08:58:16 PM PST

Jim Nelles from i don't have one writes:

that was so fun, my first hike ever, in BC or anywhere like this place offered and those stunning views made it all make sense. i've got to do more of this!

Posted: August 16, 2009 07:51:11 PM PST

Maureen from Vancouver writes:

Hi,

I did this hike from Cypress parking lot just to Cabin Lake. I'm wondering where you start the BP trail from Horseshoe Bay, so I can do it with a friend and two cars.

Any one know?

Maureen

Posted: August 12, 2009 08:04:27 PM PST

Mo from North Vancouver writes:

July 26 - Hiked to the bluff from Cypress pkg lot. Went straight up the Black Mtn. ski run for the first section. I recommend this approach because the "new" BPowell trail alternative is boring; one long, endless parade of switchbacks. Like previous reviewer, I found the signposts confusing, esp. one to the northeast that appeared to be misaligned from path and didn't properly indicate a trail that led to a chairlift. No snow in sight at all, trails dry and moderate. On the way back Cabin Lake was charming, if busy. Came down on the endless switchbacks; real knee killers. Gorgeous view at Eagle Bluff, with two friendly ravens who'd figured out that most hikers eat lunch at that point. WEAR SUNSCREEN on sunny days; more exposure than you think.

Posted: July 30, 2009 03:42:43 PM PST

Pascal from Vancouver writes:

Trail head options are confusing. Check and print:
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/seatosky/Detailed_Design/West_Vancouver/WVDD_Trails.pdf
I recommend the [TransCanada Trail - White Trail] option near bottom. The "new" Baden Powel trail is ugly.
Signs missing or cryptic at numerous trail intersections near start and farther up.
Got 1-2 ft snow from 1100m (after the Bluff) going to Black Mtn except where terrain sufficiently exposed to sun.

Posted: June 17, 2009 06:45:45 AM PST

Jeffrey Ai from Vancouver writes:

Fantastic view on top of Eagle Bluff!!! Hiked it from Horse Shoe Bay on Baden Powell trail yesterday(31/05/09). No snow at all from this side. Elevation gain is about 1000m, and total distance is about 9km. We took about 6.5 hours for a round-trip. The most challenging part is a big rock slope, especially downhill. My knees got hurt, so would suggest you to bring trekking poles.

Posted: June 1, 2009 07:36:53 PM PST

Mike Gat from Victoria writes:

Hiked the trail yesterday (20/05/09). Snow from the bottom to the top, better suited for snowshoes but with the warming weather its rather mushy and the tree wells are easy to sink into! Trail markers have been removed from upper Baden Powell, makes for some interesting exploring. Probably better to wait another month for all the snow to melt but still tons of fun with beautiful views and not another person in sight.

Posted: May 21, 2009 09:52:28 AM PST