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Bowen Lookout Trail – A hike with stunning views of Bowen Island and the Howe Sound

Are you looking for an outdoor activity to do with your partner? Or are you researching ideas for engagement photography locations with your fiancé? Well, look no further because the Bowen Lookout Trail is an amazing hiking trail for you adventurous love birds to explore!

The Bowen Island Lookout Trail located on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver is classified as an easy hike on Vancouver Trails. Although it is quite steep with a total elevation gain of 110m in just 2km, it is a well groomed trail without anything technical to get in your way. Also, did I mention the view you’re rewarded with after trekking up and around those switchbacks? It’s worth it – I promise!

How do you know the best time to take Engagement Photos?

As with all of our photo shoots, proper planning and scouting is the key to a successful engagement session. A few days before our session together, Justina and I laced up our trail runners and ran up and down this route so we would know what to expect on shoot day. Armed with our sun tracking and weather apps, we knew exactly what the sun would be doing and at what time.

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - Couple at beginning of trail

Danica & Colin’s Late Spring Engagement Session

Now that you know a little bit about the trail, let me tell you about this super fun engagement session we did with Danica and Colin. We photographed this engagement session at the end of the Spring thaw back in 2020. Because we had already hiked this trail a few days prior, we knew we could start two hours before sunset to get that gorgeous golden hour light and make it back to our cars before it was completely dark.

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple posing for portrait

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple standing in trail laughing

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple walking on snow covered trail

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple holding hands and walking away from camera

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - close up of couples' feet as they walk away

The Bowen Lookout trail starts off just after the Cypress ski chalet. You follow a gravel path, which takes you into the forest and you’re immediately surrounded by pacific northwest vibes. The sun was still quite high at this point so the giant firs and cedars were perfect for filtering those rays. After walking over the boardwalks through the marsh, we were spat out of the forest and onto another gravel path, but this time, it was steep uphill grind.

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple hugging in the forest

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - boyfriend lifting girlfriend up and kissing her with sun backlighting them

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple kissing while standing in the middle of the trail

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple holding hands and walking toward the camera

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple enjoying view with backs facing the camera

A Necessary Stop for Unnecessary Mountain

We stopped at the top of the hill to take in the views of Unnecessary Mountain before continuing on the trail. When we arrived at the viewpoint, we found a spot off trail for a quick outfit change. The light shining through the trees was way too beautiful not take photos, so we spent a bit of time playing in the woods. These two love birds were, seriously, so fun to photograph and made our jobs so darn easy!

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple kissing at the top of the hill

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple laughing with unnecessary mountain in background

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple balancing on a log

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - portrait of couple looking at the camera through the trees

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple posing for portrait through the trees

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - Silhouette of Couple Standing at the lookout

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - Silhouette of Couple kissing at the lookout

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - Couple hugging at the lookout

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - couple standing at lookout enjoying the view

After spending some time at the lookout, Danica and Colin changed back into their hiking clothes and we made our way down the hill.

Bowen Lookout Engagement Photography - Couple kissing with mount cypress ski area in background

We finished off our session taking full advantage of golden hour, then said one final farewell to the giant hill behind us. Danica and Colin, we had such a wonderful time photographing you two. If anyone is looking for an easy hike with a stunning view, we highly recommend the Bowen Island Lookout Trail.

Want to have an engagement photography session on Mount Cypress?

Head on over to our contact page or fill out the form below! We can’t wait to hear from you!

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