[Kirt]

I'll be in Vancouver BC this weekend. I've not ever hiked in this area. Is anyone aware of a good online resource to check out when researching hike ideas? Or, if anyone has any ideas for me, I'd be grateful for any recommendations. An ideal hike would be 5 - 10 miles and the trailhead would be within 90 minutes of the city. I have no clue if that is realistic. I'll be bringing my snowshoes & micro spikes as I'm not aware of the current snow conditions either. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[s0rce]

I'm headed there in a couple weeks and my friend suggested a couple hikes, haven't been yet so I can't comment. Hope it helps. Post trip reports if you find something fun. I'll probably bring snowshoes and spikes. - Stawamus Chief: This is a classic and should be free of snow by then. It is busy in the summer but should be quieter this time of year. Only an hour from the city. - Hollyburn Mountain: This is only if there's still a lot of snow. It would be logistically very easy since you can rent snowshoes right at the base for $15. - Elfin Lakes, Joffre Lakes: These are much farther from the city (Joffre is a good 3 hours each way). Views will be more spectacular. Elfin Lakes we will have to see how the road is as it's a crappy logging road access.

[raising3hikers]

a couple weeks ago, i did a trip up vedder mtn, near cultus lake BC. should be within 90 minutes from vancouver. it was around 6 miles and less than 2000' gain. a high clearance vehicle is needed to get close to the TH (lots of berms) or add a couple more miles of road walking. once on the east ridge, there are diamonds on the trees to help navigate the way. it's an easy snowshoe trip. http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=34495

[Kirt]

Thank you sOrce and rasing3hikers. I'll check out your recommendations. I'll post a trip report as well! THANKS!!

[Mega-Will]

I think I'm a little late, but I was there hiking around just a couple weeks ago. It rained the whole time pretty much, so I stuck to low elevation trails, which I was pretty impressed with. The areas I hiked and enjoyed were Lighthouse Park, the Lynn and Seymour watersheds, Quarry Rock near Deep Cove, and Jug Island and Admiralty Point near Belcarra. Pitt-Addington Marsh was flat, but good for wildlife viewing. There was still snow in Squamish when I was there, so Stawamus Chief didn't sound like any fun. I imagine that could change fast though, and I know I've hiked it in March before.