Mount Harvey is an incredible hike. It is a challenge, as the path is very steep, gaining over 1400m in elevation in just 6.5 km. But hikers will be rewarded by spectacular views in all directions. You get Howe Sound and the Gulf Islands to the west. Then to the east you can see the whole of the Britannia Range of Coastal Mountains. In particular Mount Harvey has the best view of Mount Brunswick as well as a fabulous view of the Lions and the whole HSCT ridge.

This trail is not as busy as nearby Mount Brunswick, which is the North Shore’s highest peak. Or the Lions, which are iconic and easy to spot from Vancouver, so people are keen to hike up there. So although this starts at one of the busiest trailheads, you might get some quiet time with the magnificent views here.

Mount Harvey – the basics

Distance: 13km(ish)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1509m from strava. (All trails says 1407m)
High Point: 1652m
Time: 4-8 hours (we recorded just over 4 hours moving time, and 7.5 hours total)
What to bring: Water, snacks and your camera! The 10 essentials.
Facilities: Porta potty at the trailhead
Dogs: Dogs allowed if on a leash
How hard is it? Challenging. The trail is pretty easy to follow but it’s a LOT of elevation gain!
Extra notes: I strongly do not recommend doing this hike until after the snow has melted (normally in July.) This hike has had many mountain rescues as well as some fatalities. 5 snowshoers died here in 2017 when a cornice collapsed under them at the peak.

Mount Harvey Map

Wait, what is Peak Bagging?

If you have read my post introducing Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains, you might have learned about Peak Bagging. This is where hikers and climbers try to reach a collection of summits in one geographical area. Every summer people compete to see who can bag the most North Shore peaks. There is a friendly group of peak baggers in Vancouver with a total of 82 possible peaks to visit; Some with hidden whiskey.

Mount Harvey getting started

The start of this hike in Lion’s Bay at the Lions (Binkert) trailhead on Sunset Drive, where you need to pay around $24 to park *if* you get there early enough to nab one of the limited spots. The start of the trail is the same as Tunnel Bluffs; The first section is the hard part of that hike, but it counts as the easy part of the hike up Mount Harvey.

There are quite a few signs pointing the way, but after the first few switchbacks, turn right for Mount Harvey (or the Lions.) Left will take you towards Tunnel Bluffs or Mount Brunswick.

The trail flattens out for a moment after the turning. Look for a left into the trees 3.3 km in (and get ready for your calves to get working.) Quite soon after the turn-off you can sneak out to a small waterfall at Alberta Creek. This is your last chance to fill up water bottles.

First viewpoint

Just over a kilometer beyond the Mount Harvey turn-off there is the first viewpoint down to Howe Sound. Not a bad view eh!?

The Grind

This part of the trail is tough. You hike up 740m of elevation in just 2km. The trail is steep and rugged with no steps, so it’s best early in the morning before its too hot. We made it up to the ridge just as the sun started to shine through the trees.

Mount Harvey Ridge

Just over 5km in (and 1370m elevation), you’ll have reached Mount Harvey Ridge. This is where the hike goes from hard, to fun. I mean it’s still tiring, but once you’re up on the ridge the views (especially over to the West Lion/Sister) are incredible. We stopped here for a snack because it is gorgeous.

The main trail does go back into the trees; But from here onwards, the views get better and better as the trees start to thin out.

Plus now, whenever you get tired you can turn around to this view…

There is one section of the trail that is less steep, so you can enjoy a stroll through meadows, looking up to the rocky part of the peak.

Look out to the left of the trail to the cliffs Harvey’s Pup peak. I also loved the view to Leading Peak on Anvil Island as it is such a fab view from here!

Watch out for wasps!

I should probably mention that we did this hike a week after I’d been hospitalized for being stung by a wasp. Unfortunately I got stung again on this trail. Luckily, I was still so full of antihistamines from the previous week that I didn’t need to use my new epi-pen. I took benadryl and kept going slowly as the drugs seemed to work. I did end up with a bite mark the size of a side-plate, but no anaphylaxis this week! (I now hike with an epi-pen)

As you get higher the trail gets a little tougher as you scramble up the rocks. The path is pretty clear up close, and the scrambling is on solid rocks without any scary drop-offs so it is doable. I am more of a hiker than a climber, and even I was fine.

Even before you reach the summit, the views of the Lions and Unnecessary Mountain are spectacular.

It was also really cool to see David Peak and James Peak further along the Howe Sound Crest Trail. This is the first of the big mountains I’ve hiked along the Sea to Sky, so I loved seeing these views from the first time.

Mount Harvey Views

Mount Harvey is incredible. Somehow on this perfect Saturday we were alone up here (although we could see people over on Mount Brunswick.) This is the view down to Howe Sound – it’s similar to what you see from Tunnel Bluffs, just better!

This is looking back to the Lions

And looking North you can see the Highest Mountain of Vancouver’s North Shore, Mount Brunswick. The pointy mountain next to it is Hat Mountain.

Heading Back

Return back the way you came. I have to admit, this trail is exhausting on the way down as you descend over 1500m in elevation. In particular the 2km just below the ridge feels brutal on your knees! Take it slowly, watch out for wasps and you’ll be back on the busy trail with the hundreds of hikers coming from the other busy trails nearby.

Mount Harvey Panoramas

I’ll finish with a few more panoramas as Mount Harvey of I’m sure you’ll agree, this has to be some of the best views North of Vancouver. It’s stunning.

Mount Harvey is a tough hike, but somehow, with all the incredible views, it is actually fun. Especially after you make it up to the ridgeline. I think this is one of the best views I have seen on Vancouver’s North Shore. Would you brave jelly legs to give this hike a go?