If you're coming from Vancouver this is not a day trip. The journey involves 2 ferry crossings and providing there are no ferry waits you are looking at a 4.5 hour trip. You also have to get back, so we suggest making a weekend of it! This is such a beautiful part of BC and there is lots to see during your drive. Take it easy and enjoy the whole experience.
Our hike follows the east ridge trail but Tin Hat Mountain is also accessible from the Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT). The elevation gain is relatively small so this is a great hike for somebody at an intermediate level.
Getting There
As usual, we will start from Vancouver. You can also click on the trailhead symbol in the map box to the right and you will have the option to get directions from wherever you live.
So, head over to the Upper Levels Highway and travel west to Horseshoe Bay. From here you will take the ferry to Langdale. Drive 75 km (47 mi) north on Highway 101 to Earl's Cove. This is where you will board the second ferry, to Saltery Bay. Leave the Saltery Bay terminal and head north on Highway 101. You will cross the Lois River bridge after about 12 km (7.5 mi). Get ready now, because after another 1.3 km (0.8 mi) you will be turning right onto Dixon Road. You will now be traveling on logging roads so it's important to set your odometer to zero in order to make sure you get to where you want to be. The roads are tricky but well sign posted. If you pay attention to the signs, you'll be okay. Please note, access to the road is limited to evenings and weekends only.
After 4 km (2.5 mi) you will be going left onto the Goat Lake Main Hookup. This is a one-way system. 1 km (0.6 mi) later you will join the Goat Lake Main road. The makers on these roads are in miles, not kilometers. 18.6 km (11.6 mi) later, just after the mile 12 sign, go left onto Spring Lake Main. AT 29.5 km (18.3 mi) past the mile 9 sign, but before the bridge you will see the Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT) signs. This is where you will park. Phew!
The Hike
So, let's presume you've successfully navigated your way to the trailhead. Now it's time to stretch your legs! You will see a creek that drains from a series of small lakes you will shortly be hiking past. The hike starts on the left bank of this creek. You will probably notice quite a mess left behind from the windstorm that swept through the area in 2006. It is being cleared up and the trail builders have definitely been hard at work. You will hike past Cranberry and Sofia ponds before coming to Lac Godeau. Here you will head west around a knoll and begin the climb up the east ridge of Tin Hat Mountain.
Follow the orange tape and markers carefully as the trail switches back and forth due to the rocky bluffs. You will actually walk a lot further than you may feel like you need to, but if you walk as the crow flies, you will take a nose dive! The bluffs offer some great viewpoints but don't spend too much time checking them out as the real money shot is at the top. Once you get to the summit be sure to take in the amazing views. You may like to take an extended rest up here and explore your surroundings. If you take a map up with you you'll be able to identify the peaks and lakes around you. If you look southwest you will see Texada Island and Vancouver Island. To the northeast is Powell Lake and Beartooth Mountain. Beyond that is Mount Alfred. Even further off is the Clendenning Range.
Be careful coming back down and make sure you take the correct trail. The old logging road trail comes up from the south and the SCT trail joins that from the west.
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