Mount Steele Hike

Just north of Sechelt on BC's Sunshine Coast is 6,000 hectares of high alpine country that hosts some of the area's tallest peaks and most beautiful hikes. Tetrahedron Provincial Park is most often used by backcountry skiers and snowshoers. Several winterized cabins have been constructed by the Tetrahedron Outdoor Club and are available to the public to use. Due to elevation, remoteness, and geography, the cabins can only be stocked by helicopters or by foot, so donations help keep the cabins stocked for all visitors.

Hiking in from the parking area (which can be up to several hundred meters lower in winter), you can decide to visit some of the lower elevation cabins and or lakes for a simple day hike or to push onto the highest elevation cabin and the gateway to the tallest peaks in the park. The Mount Steele Cabin is only 7 kilometers from the upper parking gate and sits about 100 (vertical) meters below the summit of Mount Steele. The trail up to the cabin is a pretty gentle walk until you reach Edwards Lake and the Edwards Lake Cabin. The trail skirts around the lake though alpine meadows and wetlands that offer beautiful views of the mountains to the north and west. The lake itself is very calm and therefore creates amazing reflections of the surrounding mountains. 

The trail past the lake starts to climb a little more abruptly. Trail markers start to dwindle and the trail itself can become hard to follow, especially after a fresh snowfall. Follow a map and know your route before proceeding past Lake Edwards cabin. Once you climb to the top of the ridge, Mount Steele and the Mount Steele cabin come into view. Perched at the back of the mountain facing north with a clear view all the way to the Squamish mountain ranges, the cabin is a welcome site and a very comfortable stay. 

The official trail ends here. The push up to the summit can be attempted several ways, but in the snow and without experience the easiest route is to follow is the ridge to the summit (about 1 kilometer).  At 1,659 meters, the Mount Steele summit presents a new view of Mount Tetrhedron and the Howe Sound. Clear days will allow you to see from Vancouver to Vancouver Island and into the Northern Coastal Mountain ranges. 

With good weather and a steady pace, the summit can be reached in a day; however, taking some time and spending the night is very rewarding, especially if you are planning for a winter or shoulder season adventure.