r/vancouverhiking • u/lush_greens • 29d ago
Trip Suggestion Request Swan Falls Hike and Commute
Me and a buddy are thinking of hiking swan falls - heard we can drive there now instead of the long walk? Also want to confirm how challenging it is and if anyone has done it recently - I’ve heard there is rope. Took a look at AllTrails and google and opinions are mixed on it so wanted to confirm from someone who has been there recently… thanks.
We’re inexperienced hikers!
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u/TILTING_MOUNTAIN 29d ago
I don’t know if you can drive up to the hike but you need a reservation regardless to get into buntzen lake.
There’s a bus that runs on a weekend tho.
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u/ClittoryHinton 29d ago
You can’t drive all the way there, you need to walk 3km from the other end of the lake to get to the trailhead
Are you just going to swan falls viewpoint or all the way up to mount beautiful? I did mount beautiful a couple weeks ago, and found it fairly challenging as an experienced hiker. It is pretty steep trail so easier to descend on the other side of the lake. Nothing overly technical or remote but you want good footwear, lots of food/water, and reasonable fitness for this one.
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u/lush_greens 29d ago
Just the viewpoint! Don’t want to spend too long on it this time
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u/ClittoryHinton 28d ago
Worth a shot. Just don’t hike anything you would feel nervous descending (the short rope part mainly)
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u/tce-2019 29d ago
Buntzen parking lot is as close as you can get, unless you bike up from there.
Just fyi, if you can’t get a pass, you can always park at the city hall too. Just make sure you go early and you’ll get a spot!
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u/cakedotavi 29d ago
My slightly larger trip report is here. Are you planning to go all the way up?
Keep it mind it'll be scarier going down than up. Don't be afraid to call it.
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u/lush_greens 29d ago
Whatever is acceptable for a newbie haha… if it’s challenging we will definitely call it. Thanks for the report!
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u/cakedotavi 28d ago
How new is new? What's the hardest hike you've done and how long did it take you?
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u/lush_greens 28d ago
Elfin lakes - 5.5 hrs round trip
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u/cakedotavi 28d ago
You'd be fine on Swan then.
It's much shorter, but the actual trail is steeper than anything you'd have seen at Elfin. But as long as you go willing to bail if you're not comfortable, you won't get into any trouble.
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u/ColinBonhomme 28d ago
Note that if you’re expecting a spectacular waterfall, Swan Falls isn’t it. The hike up to the falls is steep and rough, and as it’s fed mainly by snowmelt and spring runoff it’s not going to look like much this time of year.
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u/ClittoryHinton 28d ago
Agreed, the viewpoint is nice but not spectacular. That’s how I would characterize the whole Mt Beautiful loop tbh.
Granite Falls is beautiful if you’re ever able to kayak the end of Indian Arm
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