Hiking Sugar Mountain in Belcarra Regional Park
Contents
Sugar Mountain Hike Information
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7Km
Elevation Gain: 380m
Highest Elevation: 388m
Average Gradient: 10.86%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Low / Low
Time Needed:
– Slow: 3 – 4 Hours
– Moderate: 2 – 3 Hours
– Fast: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: Year-Round
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Sugar Mountain Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°19’30.4″N 122°53’04.7″W
Sugar Mountain Overview
Located in Belcarra Regional Park, Sugar Mountain is a forested bump offering little to nothing in ways of views, however it does provide a peaceful, pleasant forest stroll and a relatively easy option on days where ambitions may be low or when the weather may not be conducive to a more significant outing. This also makes for a good introduction to PNW hiking and would likely make a good choice for families with young children, assuming they can manage the distance.
The entirety of the hike is in the forest, covering a variety of terrain in the process. Some of the trail will be along gravel, some will be a forested floor and sections will be a rocky creek bed that can be flowing with shallow streams during periods of rainfall.
Due to its lowly elevation, Sugar Mountain is suitable year-round, though in the depths of winter ice may form along the stretches of trail where water pools. Given there are no views anywhere along the hike, Sugar Mountain is best saved for an overcast or even rainy day.
Since Sugar Mountain is located in Belcarra Regional Park hikers must abide by the gate hours, with seasonal paid parking inside the park. Avoiding the summer may be wise as the park is often very busy on a sunny summer weekend. This is a dog friendly trail.
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Is Sugar Mountain worthwhile?
If you enjoy forested hikes with no real destination you might like Sugar Mountain as the forest is indeed quite nice in places. For the majority of people this hike will be best saved for a cloudy or rainy day when they’re looking to get out for some fresh air and exercise. It’s also a good option for families with young children, or even dog walkers. Trail runners may find some of the footing overly rocky, though if that’s not an issue I’m sure it’s a nice short option for that also.
How difficult is the hike to Sugar Mountain?
Sugar Mountain is a very straightforward hike with an approachable average gradient. No sections of the hike are particularly steep, though there are certainly some moderate climbs sprinkled in throughout. There are also plenty of flat spots too. Technically speaking the hike is very straightforward, albeit there are some sections of the trail where creeks form during periods of rain, so waterproof boots might be worthwhile.
Sugar Mountain Route Information
Parking for the hike is at White Pine Beach in Belcarra Regional Park, which can be very busy in the summer with families making use of the beach and trails around Sasamat Lake. Note that there is seasonal paid parking in effect during peak seasons.
Given there are numerous parking lots at White Pine Beach, finding the trailhead will depend on where you park exactly. The trailhead is off of White Pine Beach road, which you will likely drive past when finding parking. It will usually mean a bit of a hike up a staircase to the start of the trail from one of the parking lots lower down. You will want to look for signage to the Buntzen Ridge Trail.
Once you’re on the Buntzen Ridge trail you’ll gradually climb up through the scenic, mossy forest for around 300m before reaching a clearing with power lines overhead. You’ll quickly cross over to re-join the same trail and continue to climb through the forest, somewhat steeply at times.
At around 240m elevation you’ll top out and find yourself at the Sugar Mountain trail. This is now a long, looped trail, allowing you to pick a clockwise or counter clockwise route. Most people will go clockwise, so that’s what we’ll assume.
Turning left on the Sugar Mountain trail the terrain will now switch to a wide, rocky, ankle twister of a trail that oftentimes will have creeks flowing directly down it. After climbing another 50m or so the trail will level off and flatten out, traversing the slope directly beneath the summit. You’ll follow this section for 1.2km, where the trail will loop back on itself and begin the climb up to Sugar Mountain.
The floor will now return to a forested one and the trail will narrow. Still, it’s easy to follow and there are plenty of markers if in doubt. It’ll be around 700m and 70m of climbing to the summit, which may not be that obvious other than the fact you’ll start descending once you’ve reached it. The summit is entirely forested and there is no signage or anything to indicate you’re on any summit, so you’ll need to pay attention to your map to confirm.
Shortly beyond the summit there is a modicum of a viewpoint that will offer a peek-a-boo view of the Burrard Inlet and the city beyond. This is a nominal viewpoint that many won’t even bother to stop at, but it is perhaps a decent spot to grab a bite to eat if needed.
You’ll now continue following the loop as it descends on the south ridge of the peak. After 1.2km you’ll turn right to stay on the trail, descending slightly further before rejoining the rocky creek bed section. To return to the start of the loop you’ll now have to climb back up another 50m. From here you’ll simply return to the trailhead via the Buntzen Ridge trail.
When should I hike Sugar Mountain?
As noted this is a good hike to save for one of those cloudy or even rainy days where you still want to get out but your ambitions may be low. Given there are no views it really doesn’t require a sunny day. This is also a year-round option, so it’s a good one to save for the shoulder season or even winter.
Top Tip
You will likely want waterproof footwear during rainy periods, and potentially microspikes if the temperatures are below zero as it’s quite likely the trail will be ice covered in sections.
