North Van Hiking

Yellow Aster- Mount Baker
Details
This is a moderately challenging Intermediate Hike.

Join us as we hike one of the most stunning trails anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, in Fall.
We will start with one group of 12 (limit per US Forest Service) but if we have volunteers to lead other groups, we will add groups of 12 more spaces and have those group leave 10 minutes after the first group(s).

Meeting At: I recommend arriving at the Sumas crossing no later than 7 AM. Then stop at Super-Duper Boom town gas station (1015 Cherry St.), located immediately after border crossing, on the US side, and the right-hand side.

From this location, we will be driving to Mount Baker Highway (542) for about 30 miles to the Ranger Station at the Glacier Public Service Centre in the town of Glacier**, where we need to buy a $5 parking pass per car**. We will be continuing our journey toward Yellow Aster Trail head, where we park our cars and start our hike at 8:30 am.
NOTE: The forest service road may be bumpy so make sure you drive carefully on this road.

Elevation Gain: 780m
Distance: 13.2 km
Hiking Time: 6 hours
*Before pressing attend please be certain you'll attend. In the case of 3 "No-Shows" or 3 "Not Going", attendees may be removed from the group. For the same reason, please exercise common sense and common courtesy when using Event Chat
*Carpool fee is $8 cash per hour x 6 hours of travel: approximate total = $50 cash
Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation:
We would put this hike firmly in the difficult category, partially because of the elevation gain (2,600 feet is a lot, especially over a hike less than 10 miles) and partially because of the distance and terrain you’re covering.
There are a few steep, rocky stretches of trail – particularly on the final push to the false summit – but nothing sustained. It’s also not particularly long.
For the most part, it’s a gradual climb on a well-maintained trail with great views of Mount Baker and the surrounding landscape.

Meeting point is:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tomyhoi%2FYellow+Aster+Butte+Trailhead/@48.943476,-121.662616,19z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x54845e588c0f53af:0xc97b7b032b1822fd!8m2!3d48.9433443!4d-121.6626311!16s%2Fg%2F11bx89yf2b?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYzMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Recommended Hiking Clothing, Footwear and Gear:

1. Hiking boots or Hiking Shoes
2. Small Day pack or Hiking backpack + ample amount of water + Lunch + Snacks
3. Sweater or a hoodie
4. Canadian Passport or Visa to enter United State
5. 10 Essentials

Transit Access: Attendees must arrange for carpool.
Carpool List:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E57xWsMxiZnhuJbCjq6iRIiQFoMIM1D9HVni3HNO02Y/edit?gid=0#gid=0

PARKING :Tomyhoi/Yellow Aster Butte Trail head, NF-3065, Deming, WA 98244, United States

LEGAL INFORMATION, LIABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
We are a group of volunteers. We are NOT a professional organization or pro trail guides and/or pro event organizers. We will, however, look out for each other. The organizer and any/all assistant organizers and other attendees are in no way responsible and liable for your personal safety and health state, before, during and at anytime after this event. Risks of attending hiking events include but are not limited to: getting lost; slipping and falling; snow and ice; extreme cold; extreme heat; dangerous animals; falling trees or brush; falling rocks or landslides; flooding; bridge failure; and falling in fast moving water.
As a condition of your participation in the event, you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever including NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT OR BREACH OF ANY DUTY OF CARE ON THE PART OF THE HOST. You agree that the host shall not be liable for any personal injury, death or property loss and release the host from all liability and waive all claims with respect thereto.
Negligence includes failure on the part of the host to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from or warn you of the risks, dangers and hazards referred to above. You assume all cost of your own rescue or evacuation.
By RSVP'ing "Yes", for this event, you acknowledge that you fully understand and accept the aforementioned conditions and following event attendance conditions and, you are solely responsible for your own health, safety and well-being before, during and at anytime after the event as stated previously.
All attendees shall forever hold harmless the organizers and other attendees and unconditionally waive any liabilities resulting from attending and/or participating in this event.
We hike together at a moderate pace, but if you cannot keep pace then you are responsible to safely hike your way back to the starting point.

Howe sound crest trail starts off very easy from a technical standpoint but is quite steep. It's mainly hard packed gravel and a pretty smooth surface. Before you hit Mark's summit the smooth trail ends and it becomes very steep. It also get more muddy from snow melt.

Continuing onto Unnecessary Mountain, the trail gets even rougher. The ascent in the forest between Saint Marks summit and Unnecessary Mountain is both technical and extremely steep, but not exposed to the point that you have to worry about falling. There are big drops, large rocks, large tree roots, and ropes to climb/repel. There are amazing viewpoints of Howe Sound and the two Lions.

*Class 1-2 Scrambling
*There are ropes to climb and descend

Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation:
Hard, 15km trail (out and back), 1122 meters of elevation gain

Meeting At: Cypress Creek Lodge, near the back
Parking: Yes
Transit Access: No
Carpool List: (accessible on a PC, or on a phone with MS Excel or Google Sheets)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_0G0ztt5vtEJBk7OhJSlnH9KxiENTmues7G_lqdsr7o/edit?usp=sharing

Recommended Gear:

1. Hiking Boots or Hiking Shoes
2. Hiking Pack + 8 bottles of water (4 liters) + Lunch + Snacks + 2nd Lunch + 2nd Snacks
3. (If raining) Rain Jacket
4. (Optional: if sunny) Sun Glasses, Sun Screen, and Hat

The route begins right from Snug Cove, just after disembarking the ferry. The initial section includes several intersecting paths, so staying aware of trail markers is important. Once you reach Hikers Trail Road, the path becomes a combination of gravel and dirt, marking the beginning of a steady uphill journey. The elevation gain is significant, similar to a well-known steep trail in the region but stretched over a longer distance and time.

The terrain becomes more rugged near the meeting point of Hikers Trail Road and the North Summit Trail, featuring natural surfaces like dirt, tree roots, and rocks. Along this section, you’ll find two scenic viewpoints—one facing north partway through, and another near the top offering panoramic views.

The final stretch leading to the North Peak is steeper and more technical, with ropes available to assist in a short scramble. Although the official summit of Mount Gardner doesn’t offer a wide view, it serves as a transition point for the descent that follows.

The scheduled ferry to Bowen Island departs at 9:23am

Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation:
Intermediate, 15.3km (loop), 809 meters of elevation gain

Meeting At:
Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, at the Bowen Island ferry gate for boarding.
(If you’re driving, we park in the Horseshoe Bay parking lot and walk into the ferry terminal).

Recommended Hiking Clothing, Footwear and Gear:

Hiking boots or Hiking Shoes
Small Daypack or Hiking Pack + 2-4 bottles of water + Lunch + Snacks
Fleece, Hoodie, Sweater, or Jacket
(For Rain) Rain Jacket
(Optional: if sunny) Sun Glasses, Sun Screen, Sun Hat or Baseball Cap
(Optional: if cold) Gloves
Fully charged Cell Phone with Charger
Special Event Requirements:
Members that are responsible and show up to events, and want to take part in these special events are encouraged to sign up, but due to special events averaging a higher then usual number of no-shows and expenses, we have additional requirements below.**

Legal Information, Liabilities and Responsibilities:
By going on these Meetup events, you acknowledge and agree that you are participating at your own risk and are entirely responsible for your own safety getting to and from the event, at the event, and during the course of the event. In case of an accident, illness, or injury, you agree to pay for your own medical and/or evacuation expenses. Therefore, you agree to release the Meetup Group, the Organizer, the Meetup Host, and any affiliate or non-affiliate from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expense, or injury that may arise out of participation in these Meetup Events or travel to and from them.