The Lions  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  16,465,400' Lat, Long:  49.4577, -123.1851 Map Page Views:  1,110. Good page?    Administrators:  Kristine Hoffman, Peter Spindloe, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Peter Spindloe on Apr 15, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

The Lions from the Cleveland Dam (the Capilano Res...

Description 

The two peaks in The Lions formation are in the mountains of Vancouver's North Shore are the highly visible from many locations in the city. The West Lion is the higher of the two at 1646m. The East Lion sits at 1606m.

Both peaks have fourth class scrambles as their easiest routes as well as harder, but very rarely climbed, fifth class lines.

The views are about as good as they get in the coast mountains near Vancouver, and that's pretty good. You can see Vancouver Island to the east, most of Vancouver to the south, many interior peaks to the east and northeast, and Garibaldi peak near Whistler to the north.

It should be noted that there are regular fatalities in this area, averaging more than one per year I believe. Most are due to the fact the standard route on the West Lion is at the very outside edge of what could be called hiking. Add in some moisture and it becomes very dangerous. Lost hikers are also a common occurrence, but they are usually retrieved after spending a miserable night out.

Getting There 

The two main approaches are:

1. The Paul Binkert Trail starting in Lion's Bay. This trail starts at about 230m, so the gain to the summit of the West Lion is considerable.

2. Along the Howe Sound Crest trail from Cypress Provinvial Park. Although you start at a higher altitude, this route is long and has lots of up and down.

You could also start from the north end of the Howe Sound Crest trail, but if your goal is an ascent of the Lions, rather than a hike of the HSCT, you're better off with the first two options.

Further details on the approach are best gleaned from books and maps available on line or at local outdoor stores. You wouldn't want to run off into the woods and up big mountains with nothing but a web write-up, would you?

The Classics

Featured Route For The Lions

Standard Route, West Lion 4th  International : Canada : ... : The Lions

This description assumes you have reached "the notch" south of the West Lion separating it from rest of the Howe Sound Crest.Downclimb into the notch. There is a knotted fixed rope for your assistance; check it before using it, without the rope it's a brief bit of fifth class.Make the obvious traverse along the base of the Lion. It's marked with red dots painted on the rock and has a fixed rope. I highly recommend NOT using the fixed rope. I fear for hikers who assume it's solid an...[more]   Browse More Classics in International

Photos of The Lions Slideshow

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From the summit of the West Lion looking back at V...	From the summit of the West Lion looking southwest...	From the summit of the West Lion looking northwest...
The East Lion as seen from part way up the West Li...	Looking up at the West Lion while on the approach ...	Shot of west face of West Lion from similar spot a...