North Shore Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Shore Mountains |
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North Shore Mountains from Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Brunswick Mountain |
| Elevation | 1,788 m (5,866 ft) |
| Parent peak | Pacific Ranges |
| Geography | |
Location of the North Shore Mountains
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
The North Shore Mountains are a mountain range that stands tall over Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. You can see their lowest peaks from most parts of Vancouver. They create a beautiful background for the city.
These mountains have very steep southern slopes. This means that cities like West Vancouver and North Vancouver can't grow too much. In many places, houses suddenly stop, and wild, forested slopes begin. These forests have many trails for hiking and mountain biking. Some famous trails include the Baden-Powell Trail and the Howe Sound Crest Trail.
The North Shore Mountains are a smaller part of the Pacific Ranges. The Pacific Ranges are themselves part of the huge Coast Mountains. The North Shore Mountains are surrounded by water bodies. To the south is Burrard Inlet, and to the west is Howe Sound. To the east, you'll find Indian Arm.
Even though these mountains are not super high, they are rugged. This means they can be tricky and should be respected. The weather in the mountains can be very different from Vancouver. It can be mild in the city but snowy and cold just a short drive away. Even in summer, it's easy to get lost, even if you can still see the city lights. Always be prepared when you explore these mountains.
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Valleys and Parks
Three deep valleys cut through the North Shore Mountains. From west to east, these are:
- Capilano River valley
- Lynn Headwaters (which includes Lynn Valley)
- Seymour River valley
The Capilano and Seymour rivers start in a huge watershed area. A watershed is a place where all the rain and snowmelt collect to form rivers. This area is usually closed to visitors to protect the drinking water. The Lynn Headwaters, a deep valley shaped like a bowl, is now a popular Regional Park.
There are two Provincial Parks in the area: Cypress Provincial Park and Mount Seymour Provincial Park. Both parks have roads, ski areas, and many trails. Grouse Mountain is also nearby. It has a ski area and fun attractions. You can reach them by the Skyride, which is like a big cable car. A very popular hiking trail, the Grouse Grind, climbs up the steep side of Grouse Mountain.
In the Seymour valley, there's a paved road called the Seymour Trailway. It goes for many kilometers into the mountains. People use it for walking, biking, and sometimes for TV shows or movies.
Exploring the Peaks
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The North Shore Mountains have many different peaks. Here are some of the well-known ones:
Britannia Range
- Sky Pilot Mountain
- Mount Hanover
- Deeks Peak
Cypress Group
- Black Mountain (1217 meters): This is a forested peak overlooking Horseshoe Bay. The ski runs on its northern side are part of Cypress Mountain Resort.
- Hollyburn Mountain (1325 meters): A popular spot for hiking. It's known for its old community and is the only place in the Lower Mainland with groomed cross-country ski trails.
- Mount Strachan (1454 meters): Ski runs on its southern slopes are also managed by Cypress Mountain Resort.
Grouse Area
- Mount Fromme (1185 meters): A large, forested peak famous for its mountain biking trails on the south side.
- Grouse Mountain (1231 meters): Home to a very popular ski area and the challenging Grouse Grind hiking trail.
- Dam Mountain (1349 meters): Located just west of Grouse Mountain. The hike from the Grouse lodge is called the "Snowshoe Grind."
- Goat Mountain (1401 meters): Another popular hiking spot, easy to reach from the top of the Grouse Mountain tramway.
- Crown Mountain (1504 meters): A striking granite peak with steep cliffs all around.
Cathedral and Lynn Range
- Lynn Peak (1015 meters): A smaller forested mountain, popular for hiking because it's easy to get to.
- The Needles (1258 meters): A series of isolated peaks along a ridge north of Lynn Peak.
- Coliseum Mountain (1441 meters): A remote area with gentle granite slopes.
- Mount Burwell (1541 meters): A remote granite dome, close to the edge of where people are allowed to go.
- Cathedral Mountain (1737 meters): One of the tallest North Shore Mountains, but it's off-limits because it's in the Greater Vancouver watershed.
Fannin Range
- Mount Seymour (1449 meters): Has good trails and easy road access, making it a favorite hiking area. It also has a downhill ski area in winter.
- Mount Elsay (1419 meters): A remote peak located further into the backcountry beyond Seymour.
- Mount Bishop (1509 meters): A rarely climbed peak in the remote northern part of Mount Seymour Provincial Park.
Lions Area
- The Lions (1654 meters): These are probably the most famous peaks in the North Shore Mountains. They are two distinct granite domes that you can see from many parts of Vancouver.
- Mount Harvey (1652 meters): An isolated peak located near The Lions.
- Brunswick Mountain (1788 meters): This is the highest of all the North Shore Mountains, located north of Mount Harvey.
- Capilano Mountain (1692 meters): Found east of where the Capilano River begins.
