Mount Elsay in Seymour Provincial Park

Mount Elsay is a tough 16k roundtrip hike that takes you beyond Mount Seymour and the crowds into the desolate backcountry of Mount Seymour Provincial Park.  To get to the marked Mount Elsay trail you have to follow the trail to Mount Seymour.  Click on the map to the right to go to the beautiful, full size, printable map from the BC Parks site for Mount Seymour Provincial Park.  Though not detailed for navigating it will give you an overall look at the major landmarks and main trails.  Mount Elsay is a difficult and dangerous trail to hike if you are unprepared or poorly equipped.  The trail is often very difficult and losing the trail is very possible even in good weather.

The trailhead for Mount Seymour (which leads to the Mount Elsay trail) is easy to find once you have reached the main parking lot to Mount Seymour Resort.  To get to the main parking lot simply drive until you come to the end of the road and the end of the final parking lot (you will see ski lifts).

Looking towards the end of this long parking lot you will see a large, round wooden map board (indicated on the map below by the red marker).  Walk along the trees (directly up on the map below).  From here on there are frequent tree markers and signs directing you to Mount Seymour.  Follow this route until you get to the col between Second Peak and Third Peak where the Elsay Trail starts.

The Mount Elsay trail that branches off of the Mount Seymour trail is, at times hard to follow as it descends west of Mount Seymour into the depression between Second Peak and Third Peak.  There is a sign "Danger - Steep Terrain".  At this sign look left to find flagging tape marking the trail to take to Mount Elsay.  This trail will lead along the edge of Mount Seymour and a metal, "Mt Elsay Trail" sign.  The trail then gradually ascends toward the summit of Elsay.  At the ridge between the two mountains, Seymour and Elsay the trail forks.  Following the rock cairns to the right into the rock field will lead to the Elsay Lake trail which allows for a different route on your way back.  To reach Mount Elsay, instead head steeply up, bearing left toward the summit.

Directions to the Mount Elsay

From Highway #1 (Trans-Canada Highway) take Exit #22 Mount Seymour Parkway. Turn right onto Mount Seymour Parkway almost immediately and follow it 4.4 km before turning left onto Mount Seymour Road.  Follow Mount Seymour Road as it winds it's way up the mountain.  Drive to the end of the large parking lot at the end of the road. Start at the Mount Seymour Trail kiosk, to the left of the Mystery Peak chairlift.  Parking is free and there are no trail fees in Mount Seymour Provincial Park.  Parking for Mount Elsay (Mt Seymour Parking Lot): (49.367476837839554, -122.94919833540916)

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More Hikes Near Mount Elsay

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