Little Mount Doug
On top of Little Mount Doug, looking over Cordova Bay
If you want an easier stroll than going up and down Mount Doug itself, you may prefer to go around the Big Mount and make a detour up Little Mount Doug. From there, in my opinion, it's a nicer view, and it's free from the tourists and concrete.
Head north from the Ash Road car park which becomes a lane running parallel to Cordova Bay Road. Use the crosswalk to reach the Whitaker Trail, continue north, and then turn left when you reach the houses. Soon the annoying buzz of the traffic is left behind, and you find yourself alone in the forest. You could be up-Island in the wilderness. You are heading west now around Mount Doug, and soon you start snaking up and around, and even zig-zagging back a bit, but make sure the mountain is for the most part on your left.
Eventually, you sense that you're in a bit of a valley, with Mount Doug on your left, and what is now Little Mount Doug on your right. At a fork, venture to the right off the main trail. After a short scramble, you find yourself on the top of Little Mount Doug near a lone arbutus tree. What a view! On a recent visit, a young commercial photographer was doing a photo shoot of the tree in the hope of winning a competition. I wish her luck.
Continue across the top and down the other side. Be careful, especially if it's wet. Follow the trail down and around, back towards Mount Doug. At a place where four trails meet, take the first path (the Harrop Trail, not marked) to the right of the old mine shaft. Soon you reach the junction with the Glendenning Trail where boulders mark the end of the sandy descent from the Big Mount.
Keep going and follow the trail past a massive Douglas fir. At a “walker” sign, take a jog to the left, and then right.
Pass a hydro pole on the right and continue down, underneath the hydro line. At the fourth pole down, take the Norn Trail to the left. Continue on this trail, across a car park (not ours), until you find yourself on the Irvine trail. Just before the road, turn left on the Whitaker Trail, and continue until you reach the crosswalk leading back to the washrooms and our car park. What a great walk!
Head north from the Ash Road car park which becomes a lane running parallel to Cordova Bay Road. Use the crosswalk to reach the Whitaker Trail, continue north, and then turn left when you reach the houses. Soon the annoying buzz of the traffic is left behind, and you find yourself alone in the forest. You could be up-Island in the wilderness. You are heading west now around Mount Doug, and soon you start snaking up and around, and even zig-zagging back a bit, but make sure the mountain is for the most part on your left.
Eventually, you sense that you're in a bit of a valley, with Mount Doug on your left, and what is now Little Mount Doug on your right. At a fork, venture to the right off the main trail. After a short scramble, you find yourself on the top of Little Mount Doug near a lone arbutus tree. What a view! On a recent visit, a young commercial photographer was doing a photo shoot of the tree in the hope of winning a competition. I wish her luck.
Continue across the top and down the other side. Be careful, especially if it's wet. Follow the trail down and around, back towards Mount Doug. At a place where four trails meet, take the first path (the Harrop Trail, not marked) to the right of the old mine shaft. Soon you reach the junction with the Glendenning Trail where boulders mark the end of the sandy descent from the Big Mount.
Keep going and follow the trail past a massive Douglas fir. At a “walker” sign, take a jog to the left, and then right.
Pass a hydro pole on the right and continue down, underneath the hydro line. At the fourth pole down, take the Norn Trail to the left. Continue on this trail, across a car park (not ours), until you find yourself on the Irvine trail. Just before the road, turn left on the Whitaker Trail, and continue until you reach the crosswalk leading back to the washrooms and our car park. What a great walk!