If you’re looking for a Sunshine Coast adventure that serves up epic views, a bit of a challenge, and a healthy dose of unpredictable BC weather, grab a cup of tea and let me tell you about my weekend. I packed up my overnight gear and tackled Mount Hallowell.
It’s a solid 16km round trip, and honestly, it had a little bit of everything. Here is how the adventure went down!
The Route: Mixing It Up
If you look up the Mount Hallowell Trail on AllTrails, you’ll see a specific starting point. We decided to do things a bit differently.
Instead of the standard trailhead, we started our hike right off Highway 101. This meant our trek began with a steep climb right below the powerlines to intercept the main trail. It was definitely a calf-burner to start the day, but the payoff was immediate: beautiful, sweeping views of Ruby Lake and Sakinaw Lake as we climbed.
Once we connected to the main trail, the vibe shifted. A huge chunk of the middle section follows old, overgrown logging roads. It’s a nice, slight incline—not too challenging, but if I’m being completely honest, not the most exciting scenery either!
Into the Forest
Eventually, you have to diverge from the wide logging path and head into a forested trail section. This is where things got real.
The trail here is very overgrown. We spent a good chunk of time pushing past low-hanging branches and thick brush. Luckily, it was well-marked with flagging tape, so we never lost our way. Carrying full backpacking kits made this part pretty grueling—it’s incredibly steep, and we definitely had to take our fair share of breaks to catch our breath!
Camp Life, Wild Weather, and Resilience
We made it to the top with plenty of time to spare, immediately dropping our bags to have a quick, well-deserved snack. The wind was howling up there, so instead of camping right on the exposed peak, we hunted around and found a spot sheltered by trees to pitch the tent. The ground wasn’t perfectly flat, but hey, when you’re backpacking, you make do!
Next challenge? The campfire. Despite all the wood being soaked from recent rains, we managed to get a roaring fire going.
Just as the clouds rolled in and we huddled around the fire for dinner, nature decided to throw a curveball: it started hailing out of nowhere! 🌧️❄️
We bolted for the tent to take cover. I was genuinely worried about our fire, but it was burning so hot and strong that it actually held up against the storm. Luckily, the hail was short-lived, and the weather gods smiled on us—the sky cleared up just in time for an absolutely breathtaking sunset.
There is nothing quite like sitting by a warm fire, sipping hot tea, and watching the sky turn brilliant shades of pink and orange after a crazy storm.
5:00 AM Wake-Up Call
The next morning, the alarm went off at 5:00 AM. Trust me, it was tough leaving the sleeping bag, but sunrise is non-negotiable up here.
We walked a little ways back down the trail to catch a clear, unobstructed view facing east. Watching the sun break over the Tetrahedron Mountains made every steep step and hailstone from the day before completely worth it.
After soaking in the morning light, we packed up camp and made the long trek back down to the highway.
Quick Trip Stats:
- Distance: 16km round trip
- Starting Point: Highway 101 (Powerline route)
- Highlights: Ruby lake & Sakinaw Lake views, Sunset over Vancouver Island, Tetrahedron sunrise, and surviving a sudden hail storm.
Emma’s Tip: If you’re heading up soon, wear pants! The forested section will definitely scratch up your legs if you’re in shorts.
Have you hiked Mount Hallowell before? Let me know in the comments below!
