Saint Mark's Summit
Summit #46 of 70--October 30, 2023
In Italy last year, Kris and I visited St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. Or more correctly, we looked at it from the outside while strolling across the beauteous Piazza San Marco at night. This year, meaning two days ago, we visited Marco’s namesake mountain north of Vancouver, BC. I suppose it’s better to say the mountain that members of a local St. Marks church camp decided to name as such.
The church that dominates the grand piazza in Venice is an impressive structure to say the least—built and rebuilt over generations and now nearly a thousand years old. But jaws were no less agape standing at the dizzying terraza on Saint Mark’s Summit, also built and rebuilt over generations via plate tectonics, but (sorry, Marco) now pushing 50 to 100 million years in age.
After our recent trek to the Dinkey-Dog Mountains near Mount Seymour northeast of Vancouver, I wanted more of the Coast Range and noticed Saint Mark’s Summit to the west above the Cypress Mountain ski area. It’s one of the more popular mountain hikes near Vancouver. Kris, Mitch, Jeannie and I picked a sunny Monday to give it a go, with the prospect of dinner out in the big city afterward. Mitch was still nursing a sore knee, but was game for adventure, especially if Asian food was on the menu later.
I knew there had been a significant snowstorm a few days earlier, but the weather had moderated. So we were a little surprised to see more than a few centimeters’ worth still on the ground at 3,000 feet, along with some ice, then slush as the day warmed. Happily, we brought Yaktrax (thank you, Uncle Mike!) and Microspikes for our boots, which were very effective for navigating even the steepest, iciest sections of trail.
We leisurely made our way along skinny Yew Lake and up to the Bowen Lookout for a fabulous view of Bowen Island and Howe Sound. We then followed the well trodden Howe Sound Crest Trail, with a good view of The Lions not far beyond the Lookout. The two peaks are conspicuous from Vancouver and indeed resemble two lions at rest.
We continued through more rugged terrain and deepening snow on mostly excellent trail, almost entirely in beautiful old forest. The path deteriorates to snowy roots and rocks for the last bit, but with some well built steps climbing through the worst of it. The Howe Sound Crest Trail, by the way, weaves through 30 kilometers of mountains before ending near sea level at Porteau Cove well to the north. We followed just the first few kilometers to our summit.
And wow, what a perch! As promised by the multiple write-ups I’d browsed ahead of time, the view from the top is stunning. Howe Sound and its islands produce a spectacular scene 40 kilometers long, 15 across, leading to more distant islands, the Sunshine Coast and the Tantalus Range.
The overlook resides among high cliffs, thus due caution is in order. There was a foot of snow in the shady areas, though it was easy to take in the scene without creeping up close to the edge. The other notable hazard was a lone squirrel intent on swiping Mitch’s lunch.
We all basked in the glow of reaching Saint Mark’s Summit amid great company on a perfect fall day, before re-trekking our steps. We then rightly celebrated with a stop at the One More Szechuan Chinese Restaurant off Marine Drive in North Vancouver. Excellent food and service to match.
Since I mentoned it, our 2022 trip through Italy, Croatia and Switzerland is summed up here.
Great outing! Thanks Ken!