Also known by different names such as Sea to Summit hike, Sea to Sky hike, Sea to Sky Summit hike, Sea to Sky Gondola hike, Sea to Summit trail, etc. Sea to Sky (Gondola) Summit hike is a steep hiking trail that offers nice views of How sound & top sections of the Shannon Falls. This hike was formerly also known as the Upper Shannon Falls Trail. Here are the timestamps and hiking trail guide details:
00:00 Hike preview
00:15 Sea to Sky Gondola trailhead
The Sea to Sky Gondola trailhead is located near the Sea to Sky Gondola near the parking lot. There is a clear marking of "trailhead". You walk for around 150 meters and it joins the chief hike trail as the chief hike and Sea to Sky Summit hike share the same trailhead. Link to chief hike: [ Ссылка ]
00:40 Hike starts
The hike starts with the stairs for the next 700 meters. Climbing up the stairs is tough. There is a water stream that runs parallel to the stairs. It's the same stairs that take you to chief hike as well
01:19 Sea to Summit Fork
After a km, you arrive at the sea to summit hike & the chief hike trail fork. Take right from here to continue on the Sea to Sky Trail. The trail becomes easier for the next 400 meters from here.
01:37 1.5 km marker
The trail is well marked and had a distance marker at various locations to show how far you have covered the trail.
01:50 1/4th distance marker
Following the above marker, the hike becomes steep for the next 200-250 meters with tree roots and boulders
02:19 Under Gondola
Following the steep part, the trail opens right under the Gondola. There is a nice view of Howe Sound from here. Because of the recent wire-cut issue of Sea to Sky Gondola, Hikers are asked not to approach any Sea to Sky Gondola infrastructure and stay away from those. The trail becomes steep again after this point for another 300 meters with boulders, rocks, and tree roots, and then it gets easier till upper Shannon falls
03:54 Chain & Upper Shannon Falls
There is a trail section with a chain just before the Upper Shannon Falls. You also catch a nice view of the upper Shannon Falls. This part of the falls could be slippery and tricky, so please be advised not to try to go into the water. The trail becomes steep after this point till the next viewpoint which is located almost half-way
05:34 Midway & Rope Section
There is a rope section midway just before the viewpoint which gives a nice and beautiful view of the Howe Sounds again
05:57 Viewpoint
After the viewpoint. the trail becomes easier for most of the parts except for some steep portions.
07:16 Shannon Basin Loop Fork
You reach Shannon Basin Loop Fork. Take left from there. The trail becomes wide and graveled for the next 500 meters from there.
07:37 Upper Sea to Summit Fork
You can go either way, right or left, from here. The left route is harder compared to the right. If you are tired, you are advised to take the right route as the left route has some rope sections as well. Though the left route is short and the right trail route is longer
08:33 More Rope Sections
These rope sections get slippery on a rainy day. So, if you are planning to do a sea to the sky on a rainy day, be careful on the slippery rocky sections with ropes.
09:41 Sea to Sky Gondola & View
10:09 Returning by Gondola
Overall Sea to Sky Summit trail details:
Distance from Vancouver: 60 Kms
Hike length: 16.5 Km (round trip)
Elevation gain: 935 meters or 3065 feet
Hiking time: 6-7 hours usually
Trail type: Out and Back
For more details, please follow this blog: [ Ссылка ]
