Mount Seymour is located in Mount Seymour Provincial Park, North Vancouver. It is a part of the North Shore Mountains, rising to the north from the shores of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm to a summit of 1,455 m (4,774 ft) above the Indian River and Deep Cove neighbourhoods.
Mount Seymour is most commonly identified for its ski area of the same name, and as a popular hiking area. It is named in honour of Frederick Seymour, second governor of the Colony of British Columbia. The name is used to refer to the ridge although the main summit is one of several, and is also known as Third Pump Peak.
The mountain opened for skiing in 1937 under the ownership of Harold Enquist, with a cafeteria and ski rental. A few years later, in 1949, the Government of British Columbia bought the ski area. The Government did not have the experience to run a ski area, so, they issued Mr. Enquist the first Park Use Permit to operate the area. When the permit expired in 1951, the government found a concessionaire, who was put in charge of running the lifts, ski school and cafeteria. The government retained overall ownership until 1984, when it privatized its operation as part of a cost cutting measure. First ascent: 1908 C. Chapman; B. Darling; W. Gray; G. Harrow; R. Mills.
Getting There
Finding the trailhead is easy for this one. It begins at the northern end of the large parking lot at the top of Mount Seymour Road. Take the Mount Seymour exit from highway 1 and keep right to join Mount Seymour Parkway. Follow this east for a little while and watch out for the BC Parks signs which will show you the way. When it's time to turn you will be going left to begin the long drive up Mount Seymour Road. It will end at the ski area and this is where you will find the parking lot. Don't forget to pay your parking fee - $3 per vehicle per day!
The Hike
The trail begins quite pleasantly and heads up through the scrub towards the Manning ski run. In the summer time this is a road and you will join it briefly just below Mystery Peak. You will see a drop down to the left where you pass Sugar Bowl Pond and begin the climb up towards Brockton Point. You will be able to see First Peak (Pump 1) ahead of you. Don't worry though, the trail bypasses the peak by traversing around to the right. Brockton point is a great place to stop for a break and you can climb up onto the rocks to take in the view before continuing on.
About 20 minutes past Brockton Point you will come to a fork in the trail. If you go right you will come to Elsay Lake, but that's quite a bit further and another hike altogether. You will want to go left to continue the ascent towards Mount Seymour. You will arrive at First Peak where once again you can stop for a break. It's a steep trek up to Second Peak through a rocky gully. Be careful here on the way back down. The next section can be quite dangerous as it drops down 100 m (325 ft) and there is a very steep and long drop-off to your left. If you come here in the winter make sure you're prepared. Bring an ice axe to help stop a fall and crampons are a big help too. It's a long, long slide if you make a mistake and you won't be in very good shape when you get to the bottom!
From here all that remains is a steep scramble to the top, your destination. Take a picture next to the elevation marker and enjoy the incredible view!
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