Mount Steele Hike

Due to the length of the trail, Mount Steele is a tough hiking route through some rugged terrain; however, it is not overly technical, and as such, it is a great route for casual hikers looking to push themselves with a longer hike. The road into the trailhead is a bit rough, so make sure to attempt the journey in with a high clearance vehicle to safely make it to the starting point of the hike.

The route begins by the side of the road and enters into the forest to the southeast. Here, you will need to cross over a small creek before continuing along the trail as it follows a gentle climb for the first hour or so. Views along the trail will open up a bit on the approach to Edwards Lake, although these will largely consist of cleared sections of the mountainside. Once at the lake, the trail will enter into an amazing stretch of old-growth forest with some giant moss-covered trees that make the experience very atmospheric. At this point, the route will climb up a root-covered stretch of trail, working up the mountainside to a ridge.

From here, you will have your first real views of the hike, with a sightline that stretches out to the Tantalus Range on a clear day. Continue on around the north side of Mount Steele, where the trail turns to the south on the final push to the summit. Once there, you will have an amazing panoramic view that includes the Salish Sea and Vancouver Island. After taking in the views, carefully head back down the same trail to return to your vehicle.