Mount Seymour Provincial Park

Mount Seymour Provincial Park

Mount Seymour Provincial Park is a 35 km² park in Vancouver, British Columbia's North Shore Mountains. It is located approximately 15 kilometers north of Downtown Vancouver.

For more information, see Mount Seymour.

Mount Seymour Provincial Park
Mount Seymour Provincial Park. September, 2005 East slopes, looking north toward Mt. Elsay
Location	British Columbia, Canada
Nearest city	North Vancouver
Area	35 km²
Established	1936
Governing body	BC Parks

History and Geography

History

The park, named after Frederick Seymour, was established in 1936 .

Geography

Mount Seymour Provincial Park is in a mountain wilderness setting and several mountain peaks lie within its boundaries, including Mount Bishop, Mount Elsay, Runner Peak, and Mount Seymour.This park and its several mountain peaks are provincially run and operated. The highest elevation in the park is the summit of Mount Bishop at 1509 metres followed by Mount Seymour, for which the park is named, at 1449 metres . The park contains several lakes, including Elsay Lake (the largest), Pencier Lake, Gopher Lake, and Goldie Lake. Many lakes within the park drain into the Seymour River, which is west of the park.

Animals and Wildlife

The Stellar Jay is the official bird of British Columbia

The Wildlife of Mount Seymour

Mount Seymour Provincial Park is a great habitat for a variety of wildlife animal and plant species. Among the bigger animals, deer and coyotes are most frequently observed near the access road, while in the backcountry, black bears, bobcats or cougars can be seen. To preserve the wildlife and to prevent attacks, the park has laws against hikers and tourists from feeding or tormenting wildlife animals .Groups like the Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (BC SPCA) and the Animal Advocates Society look to preserve and protect animals .

The park is home to much smaller animals and creatures as well.Species of birds such as the chickadee, sapsucker, grouse and siskin are commonly seen. Mount Seymour park provides an opportunity to see other birds like the Canada jay, raven, and the Steller's jay, which happens to be the official bird of British Columbia.. This bird was chosen as British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment and Parks launched a three-month campaign to select a provincial bird in 1987. The campaign was tied in with the province’s celebration of Wildlife ‘87, the centennial of wildlife conservation in Canada. .

List of Wildlife Animals

• Coyote
• Deer
• Black bears
• Bobcat
• Cougar
• Douglas squirrel
• Pine marten
• Chickadee
• Kinglet
• Sapsucker
• Grouse
• Siskin

Douglas Fir Tree.

Vegetation

Natural Vegetation

The Mount Seymour Provincial Park is 3,508 hectares with a variety of natural foliage and forest. The park contains old-growth Douglas Fir trees and Western Red Cedar that cover the landscape. As well, second-growth coniferous and deciduous trees populate the park. At higher elevations of the park, we see a transition from forest to open meadows. In certain areas, it is common to see sub-alpine flowers like the Blu Clematis, Ballhead Waterleaf and the Cusicks Speedwell Flower.

Invasive Plants

Despite the many natural plants, the Provincial Park on Mount Seymour has a history of infestations of various invasive plants. Invasive Plants (also called "non-indigenous" or "non-native") outcompete native species for basic necessities, such as nutrients and space, affecting many habitats and bioregions. Mount Seymour Provincial Park is no stranger to its own share of invasive plants. There are often clumps of Japanese knotweed seen around the park . It is also common to see bull thistles growing on a mound of old road and soil fines pushed up around a pullout . St John’s wort, Lamium and Himalayan blackberry grow among the thicket of native flora that provide a view for occasional mountain bikers that pass by. Some of the other invasive plants inventoried by the park include:

• Lamium (yellow archangel)
• periwinkle
• yellow hawkweed
• sow thistle
• oxeye daisy

Invasive plants are often handled and dealt with by the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver (ISCMV). The ISCMV conduct inventory and both mechanical and chemical invasive species control work. Their projects and work extend across the Metro Vancouver Area. They deal with invasive species like knotweed, Giant Hogweed and selective herbicide control methods .

Recreational Activities

There is an extensive network of mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian trails on the lower mountain, while the upper mountain offers picknicking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowtubing, tobogganing, and backcountry camping. The ski slopes on the mountain are managed by a private operator, Mount Seymour Resorts Ltd. Different parts of mountain trails have different uses.While both mountain bikers and hikers can use lower mountain trails, upper mountain trails are restricted to hikers. Winter trails are open from mid-December to March 31st each year. Winter snowshoe trails and ski trails marked by BC Parks do not require a permit or pass. Mount Seymour hosts a variety of snowshoe trails and snowshoeing programs.

Summer Season

Hiking

Mount Seymour Provincial Park provides 14 different hiking trails varying with elevation levels and difficulties.

Trail Name	Difficulty	Length/ elevation	Suggested hiking time	Starting point / end point
Old Cabin	easy	430 metres/ 25 metres	20 minutes	Parking Lot 1/ Perimeter Trail Junction
Dinky Peak	easy	750 metres/25 metres	15 minutes	Mount Seymour Trail/ Dinky Bluff
Mushroom Parking Lot	easy	750 metres/ minimal	30 minutes	Vancouver Picnic Area Parking lot/-
Old Buck Access	easy	1 kilometre/ minimal	45 minutes	Vancouver Picnic Area Parking lot/ junction with the Old Buck Trail
Mystery Lake	moderate	1.5 kilometre/180 metres	45 minutes	North end of Parking lot 4/ chairlift right-of-way to the lake
Perimeter	moderate	1.5 kilometre/ 150 metres	45 minutes	Deep Cove looktout/ Goldie Lake access trail junction
Flower Lake Loop	easy	1.5 kilometre/ 150 metres	-	Goldie lake Trail/ sub-alpine bog and pond community
First Lake Loop and Dog mountain	moderate	2 kilometres/ -	-	First lake/ Dog Mountain
Goldie Lake Loop	easy	2 kilometres/ minimal	1 hour	First Aid building/ Goldie Lake
Old Buck Trail	moderate	2.3 kilometres,5.5 kilometres/ -,-	45 minutes, 2 hours	-
Horse Trail	moderate	2.5 kilometres/ -	-	-
Baden-Powell	difficult	42 kilometres total/ -	-	Goldie lake Trail/ Deep Cove/ Horseshoe Bay
Mount Seymour	difficult	4 kilometres/ 450 metres	2.5 hours	First lake/ North end of the top parking lot/ Pump Peaks
Elasy Lake	difficult	7 kilometres/ 500 metres	9 – 10 hours	First Aid building/ -/back country shelter

*Unclear information is marked with -

Cycling

Mountain biking is permitted only on designated trails within the park boundary. The mountain bike restricted trails include Upper Old Buck Access Trail, Mount Seymour Main Trail, Perimeter Trail, Goldie Lake Trail, Flower Lake Trail, Mystery Lake Trail, Old Cabin Trail and Dinky Peak Trail . For more details please view the table above. TheThese trails are shown on the park brochure.There are consequences and possible fines for biking in restricted areas .

Horseback Riding

Old Buck Trail is the only trail throughout the park that allows Horseback Riding .

Mount Seymour Ski Resort

Mount Seymour Ski Area
Location	British Columbia, Canada
Nearest major city	North Vancouver, 15 km (9 mi)
Vertical	330 m (1,083 ft)
Top elevation	1,265 m (4,150 ft)
Base elevation	935 m (3,068 ft)
Skiable area	200 acres
Trails	23 total 22% beginner 61% intermediate 17% expert
Longest run	1.6 km (1 mi)
Lift system	5 total 1 high speed detachable quad 2 double chairlifts 2 magic carpets
Snowfall	1,200 cm (472 in)
Website	Mt. Seymour

Mount Seymour is one mountain located within the Mount Seymour Provincial Park. Mount Seymour was operated by the provincial government until 1984, when control was provided to the commercial entity and private operator, Mount Seymour ResortsLtd. The ski area on Mount Seymour has 4 ski lifts: the Mystery Peak Express quad chairlift, Brockton, Lodge double chairlifts, and the Goldie Lake covered magic carpet. Skiing and snowboarding are available on 39 marked trails and many unmarked routes.Enthusiasts can take advantage of the area as offers 330 m (1,083 ft) of vertical drop as well as 18 trails open for night skiing. Five additional terrain parks exist for freestyle activities.

For more information, see Mount Seymour.

Accidents and rescues

Freestyle snowboarding is a common recreational activity at the park

Due to its proximity to a large metropolitan area, Mount Seymour Provincial Park attracts larger numbers of visitors and recreational users than many other rugged, mountainous areas. This in part, has led to hundreds of lost, stranded, and injured hikers, as well as many skiers and snowshoers that have required rescue, and even suffered death . Visitors should be wary there are incidents such as in 2011, a longboarder was killed from an accident outside Mount Seymour Provincial Park. The North Shore Rescue is a Mountain Search and Rescue Team. The team consists of approximately 40 volunteers skilled in search and rescue operations in mountain, canyon and urban settings. They are often called when an individual is trapped or in danger in the park .

Preparation for the Weather

Please be mindful that the Park's backcountry can be quite mountainous and difficult. The trails should be attempted by those who have proper equipment and are well prepared for challenges. It is very important to bring essential items such as a first aid kit, matches/candle, water/extra food, pocket knife, signal whistle, flashlight, large garbage bag, rain gear, warm clothing, map and compass. Also be aware of the variability of the weather at these high altitudes - one should be prepared with proper clothing and shovels in the event of snow. As well, visibility may become very difficult in this weather and can possibly cause disorientation in the event of a major snowfall.

Snow depth

Mount Seymour has three weather stations: one at the bottom of the Mystery Peak Chairlift, one near tower 9 of the Mystery Peak Chairlift, and one just below the top lift station of the Brockton Chairlift. Except for the unusually warm winter of 2004-2005, there is usually a snow depth of 500 cm (197 in) or more at the Brockton weather station.

BCRFC historical records (from 1960 to 1989) report that Mount Seymour's average snow base has been 160 cm (63 in) on January 1, increasing through winter and spring to 345 cm (136 in) on May 1st.[1]

Broadcasting

Mount Seymour serves as home to many Vancouver-area broadcasters. They have their transmitters set up on the slopes of Mount Seymour, allowing it to face over the entire Greater Vancouver area. Some broadcasters include FM radio station, CFUN-FM-2 104.9 (Sonic) and CKLG-FM 96.9 (Jack FM). As well, many TV stations such as CBUT-DT (CBC): UHF 43 (digital) and CHAN-DT (Global): UHF 22 (digital) have their transmitters located on the mountain.

For more information, see Mount Seymour.

Appearances in Film and Television

Mount Seymour is often used as a filming location for its scenery and easy access. It is often used as a background for winter scenes with its forests and slopes. Hot Tub Time Machine and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse are some films that were shot in Mount Seymour.

For more information, see Mount Seymour.

Maps and Resources

• Map fo Mt Seymour Provincial Park
• Mountain Trails
• Parking Lot Map

See also

• List of ski areas and resorts in Canada
• Grouse Mountain
• Cypress Mountain
• Mount Seymour
• Whistler, British Columbia

External links

• "Mount Seymour". Bivouac.com.
• "Mount Seymour". BC Geographical Names.
• Mount Seymour Ski Resort Official Site
• Mount Seymour Ski Club Mount Seymour Ski Club Official Site
• Seymour Provincial Park Mount Seymour Provincial Park Official site