DIRECTIONS: 1-From McNair Creek, Port Mellon near Gibsons. McNair creek side can be accessed by turning left immediately after crossing the NcNair creek bridge on Port Mellon Hwy. Reach the small dam and park there. 2- From Gray Creek, Sechelt. create
SUMMARY: 1-The faint trail starts and go the along the old logging road which becomes a foot trails after swinging up right about 50m. From there a quite bushy trail takes you along the McNair creek, swing up along Upper McNair lake along SW ridge to the peak. 2-follow the trail from trailhead from Edwards cabin to McNair cabin. Stop about 300m from McNair Cabin and bushwack on NW ridge of Panther from there. Less bushy when approached from North flank about 400m of the ridge instead of upfront. This is steeper & one notch with steep snow field crux exists. Need snow gear or rock clibming skill there. Rest is easy ascent to the peak. create
fullscreen
NOTICEBOARD
add_box
Panther Peak
Sep 9, 2009
McNair creek ascent is recommended as this route is flagged trail and there is no significant crux. Also prettier once you reach the alpine, although rather boring until that point along the deep glacier valley ascent. The view from the peak is outstanding on all directions. Van Island, Vancouver to Saturna Island, other peaks on North Shore to Tantalus range, Powell river direction glacier peaks etc. Bring some pole or iceax or something to stop you from slipping on steep grassy trail/flagged route. You may opt to camp at Upper McNair lake which is rather pretty and very private.
Gray creek/Sechelt side ascent can take advantage of staying at McNair cabin which seems to be rarely used. 10$/person a night. Also very private. From here bushwacking is a long slug like 7-8hrs for beginners to reach the peak. Also there is one crux with either one has to climb a short cliff of 5-10m high or go down to cross the snow then ascend also a steep semi cliff of 20m or so go over this. Because of time taken, for day trippers on this route running on trail portion is recommended. If you run you can do in less than 1.5hrs easily both ways.