A pleasant and simple peak offering tremendous views of the surrounding coastal mountain range, Mount Strachan is a perfect after-work kind of hike that gets the blood flowing.

There is plentiful free parking at Cypress and the drive up the mountain cuts elevation gain down to a mere 554m. Starting at the base of the Lions Express quad chairlift I started, unknowingly, up the descent route. I noticed a massive jump being built at the base and later it came to my attention that this was part of Redbull Hardline, a mountain biking competition with disgustingly technical and intense routes.

I looked over at some of the classic Cypress treelines, lamenting how much better they could make these ski routes by simply doing a bit of glading like they do at Whitewater. However, this ski resort operates under BC Parks and no doubt has strict restrictions on logging any of the majestic and ancient forest.

Making my way up further up "Collins" or the green gumby run, I was startled out of my hiking trance by a ferocious dog which was apparently protecting its owner and two children. This was a bit frustrating as I was blocked from proceeding until the owner came down and leashed the dog (its a leash-required area). With that bit of danger and excitement out of the way I proceeded up the loose-gravel trail upwards towards SkyChair base whereupon I came across the wreckage of an ancient bomber from 1963 whose remains laid scattered across the forest floor.

Heading further up the steep trail I enjoyed fall's abundance of red, orange and yellow hues, and simultaneously began to be wowed by the spectacular views in all cardinal directions. Looking north I could see the true summit ahead, unassuming and demure. To the west lay Howe Sound and the glistening ocean. To the south: Vancouver, the unfordable nightmare city with conveniently close proximity to nature. To the east, Grouse, Crown and Cathedral mountain stood resolutely. This location also procured great views of East and West Lions, the easterly of which I hope to summit in a future season.

I took take a shortcut down one of the ski slopes which turned out to be a massive mistake. The slope is lined with loose rocks and pebbles making the descent trickier than needed. I would recommend the AllTrails route for ascent and descent. Overall this route is very accessible to all skill levels and offers tremendous views of other popular peaks and objectives in the region including Brunswick, East and West Lions, Crown, Cathedral, Grouse (Flint and Feathers) and many others. Would recommend this route as a sort of reconnaissance mission to help you scope out future objectives.