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BC Coast :: North Shore :: Mt. Elsay

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Panoramic view north from Elsay summit.  Mt. Bishop right,  Cathedral upper left.  Rugged Rector - Curate - Vicar ridge curling left foreground

September 17, 2012

Mt. Elsay is great Seymour back-country trip.  Quintessential North Shore terrain with great summit views and possibility of loop return add to the appeal.  Outing is considerably more difficult than popular Mt. Seymour 3 peaks (that can also be included) and requires full day.   Several options exist to extend the day, including Runner Peak scramble;  start early if you plan on this one.   Long Rector - Curate ridge continuing north to Vicar Lakes is sometimes traversed by hardy souls, but requires overnight and is quite rough.

Follow main Mt. Seymour trail past Brockton Point to signed Elsay lake junction;  ~45 minutes of moderate pace.  At this point you need to chose the direction: CW or CCW.  Both have advantages and disadvantages;  presented here is CCW loop that approaches via official Elsay lake trail and returns via rough west side route.   Continue straight from the junction and in few minutes reach "Devil's Staircase" - steep drop of several hundred meters to base of Runner Peak.  This part is frequented with black bears.  In winter it can be quite dangerous and accidents, requiring NSR intervention have occurred -- summer trips are preferable.  Continue traversing north and watch for orange marker after crossing sizeable boulder slide few minutes before Canadian Pass.  Turn left (west) on faint trail and climb up to opening revealing large boulder covered slope leading to Mt. Elsay south ridge.  Pick your way across and up;  this bit is harder than it looks and it will take at least an hour.  Topping up look for south ridge trail, your return route if you decide on loop.  Turn right and follow this trail for a short while only. Soon it starts losing elevation and drops to rough Rector-Curate ridge leading to Vicar Lakes;  there used to be weathered "Mt. Bishop" sign nailed on tree here.  Turn right on faint but flagged path and easily scramble up to Elsay summit crossing granite slabs and couple of tarns that offer seasonal water source.  Summit views are phenomenal;  descend few meters east for bird-eye view of elusive Elsay lake nested in deep cirque below Mt. Bishop.

On return retrace your steps to ridge trail, then for loop continue north towards Mt. Seymour.  Trail becomes faint at times but there are always flags to assure you are on right way.  Eventually trail drops steeply to permanent snowpatch below Runner Peak.  Runner extension will add 1.5-2 hours to whole outing and is technically considerably more difficult (stiff class 3 below the summit).  Trail climbs up on the other side then circles around west shoulder of Seymour main peak then ascends through heather and small rock bluffs to saddle below Mt. Seymour. Turn right and return back over Tim Jones peak, past Pump Peak down to Elsay lake junction and back to your vehicle.

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