Sunrises are among the most beautiful fleeting moments and are always worth waking up for. There’s nothing quite like sipping the first coffee of the day at a gorgeous viewpoint and watching the first rays of light hit the sky. If you’re looking for the perfect spot in Vancouver, Quarry Rock in Deep Cove is exactly where you want to be.
Why Do a Winter Sunrise Hike to Quarry Rock in Deep Cove?
Quarry Rock is one of those classic Vancouver hikes that almost everyone checks off their list sooner or later. The viewpoints is always busy in warm weather, especially in the summer, which is exactly why we prefer to come here in winter. Not many people are willing to drag themselves out of bed early on a chilly morning, so it’s one of the rare times you can experience Quarry Rock without the usual crowds. We’re not saying you’ll have the lookout all to yourself, but it will be just you and a handful of other people. And honestly, that’s the main reason to catch a winter sunrise here. But there are other reasons too:
- Parking is easy! You’ll easily find a parking spot at the Panorama Park car park which is just steps from the trailhead. Later in the day parking gets a little tricky as the car park fills up really quickly, sometimes as early as 9 AM.
- The sunrise itself of course! It’s absolutely lovely watching the sky change colour until the sun finally rises almost directly opposite Quarry Rock and illuminates everything in beautiful golden light. This is the perfect time to open your thermos, pour yourself some coffee and soak it all in!
- 3 experiences in 1. First, there’s the hike in the dark, which we can all agree is an experience in itself. Then there’s the sunrise! And finally, the hike back. You’ll see all the things you couldn’t see in the dark. And let us tell you, the morning light is beautiful as it filters through the trees on this trail.
Quickly, What Can I Expect on The Quarry Rock Trail?
Route conditions: Well maintained terrain, a mix of stairs, broadwalks, bridges and natural trails with roots and rocks
Difficulty: 3 out of 10, with 10 being the hardest (most of the route is easy, but there are a lot of stairs which may be challenging for some)
Distance and elevation gain: About 5 kilometres there and back and 230m elevation gain (according to our AllTrails app)
Pure moving time: 1h 40 mins moderate pace there and back
Dog friendly: yes, dogs are allowed on the trail
Trailhead washroom: There is a washroom near the beach area in Deep Cove but nothing along the trail
What Time Do I Need To Start The Hike?
First, look up the sunrise time for the day you’re planning to go. From that time, count how much time it’s likely to take you to get to Quarry Rock and add an extra 30 minutes. For example, if you’re hiking on January 19 the sunrise is at 7:58 am. If you’re a moderate hiker, you can easily start at 6:45 AM to get to the viewpoint by 7:30 am with 30 minutes spare. Being there early means you’ll catch the best colours in the sky without rushing.
What to Bring on a Sunrise Hike to Quarry Rock
- Light source: you’ll be hiking in the dark so you’ll need a headlamp or a flashlight to light the way
- Layers: starting before sunrise means you will be starting in cooler weather. If you dress in layers, you can easily remove an outer jacket once the sun has risen and you become warmer.
- Gloves and a beanie: you can get cold very quickly waiting for the sunrise as you won’t be moving as much. Wearing gloves and a beanie can make a huge difference.
- Something to sit on: personally we use these cheap sitting pads
- Hiking Shoes: during the day you can often get away with wearing trainers on this trail, but you’ll be hiking in the dark and in winter, so best to wear proper hiking boots to prevent injury
- A Warm Drink and Snack: trust us, hot tea or coffee will make your morning!
- While the trail is relatively safe, it’s always a good idea to hike with friends and carry bear spray (yes, bears are supposed to be sleeping in winter but why not take one anyway for the peace of mind).
Done? What to do next in Deep Cove
Deep Cove is a beautiful slice of nature in North Vancouver. Not many visitors make it out here which is a shame as it really is some of the best scenery on offer. Once you’ve soaked in the sunrise and made your way back down to Deep Cove, treat yourself to a coffee and a donut from Honey Donuts – a local favourite! Stroll along the pier or find a bench to sit and to soak in the peaceful views of the cove. It’s the perfect way to finish the hike.
Sunrise Hiking in Vancouver – Perfect Trail For Beginners
If you want to start hiking for sunrises and sunsets in Vancouver, this is a great hike to begin with. It’s short, relatively easy and close to civilisation, so you can test how comfortable you feel hiking in the dark before you try something more challenging. If you’re anxious, go with a group of friends. Crushing those nerves together, waiting for sunrise and sharing your first coffee at the viewpoint is an experience you won’t forget.
How to Get to The Trailhead For Quarry Rock
By Car
Driving is the easiest way to get to the trailhead for Quarry Rock in Deep Cove. If you arrive early, you’ll easily find a spot at the Panorama Park car park which is just steps from the trailhead. Later in the day though, this parking lot is filled by 9 AM, sometimes earlier. If that happens, there are other options like Myrtle Park, Rockliff Road, Cove Cliff Elementary School and Seycove Secondary School. You’ll just need to walk a little longer to the trailhead.
By Public Transit
Getting to Deep Cove by public transit is also easy. Just catch bus #211 from downtown Vancouver and it’ll take you straight there. It’s simple and you won’t have to worry about parking! That said, buses don’t run early enough for sunrise, so if you’re planning to catch a sunrise from Quarry Rock, driving is your only option.
Why Do A Sunrise Hike in Winter?
When most people think about catching a sunrise, they picture summer not winter. However, winter sunrises are worth chasing too! Why?
- For starters, the colours are often more vibrant than in summer. Whilst, of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the crisp air and the position of the sun make those pinks and oranges pop a lot more in winter.
- In the summer, you often have to get up as early as 2 am to catch a sunrise. In winter, sunrises happen later in the day so you don’t have to wake up at a frighteningly early hour.
- Finally, sunny days in winter are rare. For those of us who love being outside, it’s harder to get out as often as we do during the warmer months. So when the sun does decide to show up, a sunrise hike is one of the best ways to take full advantage of the weather and spend time outside.
Ready To Catch The Sunrise at Quarry Rock?
We hope this guide inspires you to hike to Quarry Rock for sunrise. If you decide to give it a go, let us know about your experience below or on Instagram @outinbc.
Read about other hikes in British Columbia here.
