Leading Peak on Anvil Island

I did something today I've wanted to do for some time - paddle out to Anvil Island in Howe Sound and hike up Leading Peak.

Here's a google map showing the location.

I was in the water at a little past 8:00am, and did the 7km or so crossing from Porteau Cove over to Anvil Island:


The view of Leading Peak from the cove on the south-east side of the island:

I landed at Pebble Beach, stowed the kayak, put on my hiking boots, and headed up the peak. The trail was in excellent condition making for pretty quick progress.

The peak, as it draws closer:


Finally, the view from the summit - it was a fantastic panoramic view of all of Howe Sound:


A token picture of me at the summit:


Then, after a quick lunch, quickly back down the trail to get back to the kayak. I wanted to get down and back in the water before the afternoon winds came up.


It was a little choppier going back, but conditions were still fine. I was back at Porteau Cove by a little past 2pm.

Now, I need to put in a few words here to help with others that might want to repeat this trip. All the trip reports that I've read (there aren't many out there) specify landing at the Bible Camp on the south tip of the island. However, during the summer months, they don't all people to land and cross their property - at other times, hikers are assessed a $25 fee for crossing. A much better alternative is to land at Pebble Beach - a small (75m or so wide) beach in the cove east of the southern point. UTM coordinates for this are 785851. From the middle of the beach, a trail leads a short distance onto a broad path (you'll know you're going the right way 'cause there's a sign pointing to "camp"). Going west along the broad path, take the right (uphill) fork at 783850. As you walk along this path, you'll cross a small creek with a small concrete dam, and a few water structures. Eventually, you'll pass a couple of concrete water structures 5 or 6 feet high - the trail to Leading Peak starts just on the other side of them - there is a sign pointing towards the Peak. From there, the trail is easy to follow!