Yew Lake Trail
49°24′ N 123°12′ WCypress and Black MountainSeasonal
The Yew Lake Trail suits families, strollers and anyone wanting an easy hour in the subalpine at Cypress in West Vancouver, and BC Parks calls it a barrier-free 2 km loop. Dogs have to stay home, because BC Parks closes the trail to them to protect the marsh.
BC Parks gives the Yew Lake Trail as a 2 km loop and suggests about an hour. It starts near the alpine ski facilities in Cypress Provincial Park and wanders through subalpine meadows past Yew Lake. A short extra loop leads into a stand of old-growth forest. BC Parks runs it as a self-guided interpretive trail.
BC Parks closes the trail to dogs because of the sensitive marsh ecosystem and welcomes guide dogs for people with visual impairments. It publishes no difficulty grade for any Cypress trail, so this guide prints none. The Black Mountain Loop above you includes a side trip to the Yew Lake viewpoint if you want to see the lake from higher up.
Snow turns the meadows into part of BC Parks' winter backcountry. The Bowen Lookout winter trail starts about 30 m west of the Eagle Express lower terminal and passes the Yew Lake meadows on a 3.5 km return route. You need a free tag from the Backcountry Self Registration Area in Black Mountain Lodge to use it.
Worth knowing
- Leave the dog at home for this one, since BC Parks keeps dogs off the Yew Lake Trail.
- Bikes and e-bikes stay off every trail in Cypress Provincial Park, because BC Parks keeps them to park roads.
- Campfires are banned in Cypress Park all year, and bears are common there, so pack your food out with you.
Quick answers about Yew Lake Trail
How long is the Yew Lake Trail at Cypress?
BC Parks gives the Yew Lake Trail as a 2 km loop with a suggested time of 1 hour, plus a short optional loop through old-growth forest.
Are dogs allowed on the Yew Lake Trail?
No. BC Parks closes the Yew Lake Trail to dogs to protect the marsh ecosystem, and guide dogs for people with visual impairments are welcome.
Is the Yew Lake Trail wheelchair accessible?
BC Parks describes the Yew Lake Trail as barrier-free.
How hard is Yew Lake Trail?
No land manager publishes a rating for Yew Lake Trail.
Where is Yew Lake Trail?
Yew Lake Trail is on Cypress and Black Mountain.
Is Yew Lake Trail open all year?
Yew Lake Trail opens for part of the year. BC Parks lists the Yew Lake Trail among Cypress's summer trails. In winter its Bowen Lookout winter trail passes the Yew Lake meadows, and that route needs a free Backcountry Access Corridor tag and opens from 7 am to 10 pm only.
Within 3 km
