-
Mystery Creek Hike
Quick Facts: This hike is a great example of the lush temperate rain forests we are blessed with on the BC Coast. Towering trees cover most of the hike, with a small Mystery Creek running alongside a steep, rocky section. The Hyannis Trail starts in a quiet North Vancouver neighborhood where parking is limited but…
-
Killarney Lake Loop – Crippen Regional Park
Quick Facts: Crippen Regional Park is located on Bowen Island, a bit further afield than the other Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. We made a day trip of it with our friends Amy and Marcus’ family and tackled the Killarney Lake Loop. We drove up to the picnic area where there’s a small parking lot. The…
-
Spanish Trail to Salish Trail Loop in Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Salish Trail to Spanish Trail Loop, 7.2km with 103m elevation Difficulty: intermediate but only due to length Traffic: moderate Facilities: flush toilet at trail head, pit toilet at the information kiosk on 16th Ave View: forests, creeks, canyon, golf course, wetland, and partially obstructed views of Burrard Inlet and Spanish Banks…
-
Lighthouse Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Lighthouse Park Viewpoint Loop, 5.8km with 267m elevation Difficulty: intermediate to difficult Traffic: usually heavy on weekends Facilities: pit stop toilets at trail head, flush toilet near the lighthouse View: fantastic views on the western shore, looking at snow capped mountains surrounding lower Howe Sound. Good views of downtown and Vancouver…
-
Joffre Lakes Hike
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Joffre Lakes, 7.7km out-and-back trail with 497m elevation gain Difficulty: moderate Traffic: very heavy even during the week Facilities: pit toilets at trail head, Middle, and Upper Joffre Lakes View: 3 gorgeous glacial lakes that can rival those in the Rocky Mountains Overall score: 9/10 If there is one hike near…
-
Lightning Lake Loop Hike
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Lightning Lake Loop, 6km with 200m elevation gain Difficulty: easy, with some sections that require closer supervision for a toddler Traffic: moderate Facilities: pit toilets at trail head View: nice views of Lightning Lake Overall score: 6/10 We did a modified version of the Lightning Lake Loop, starting from Lighting Lake Campground,…
-
Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake Provincial Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Four Lakes Trail, 6.1km with 146m elevation gain Difficulty: easy to moderate Traffic: light Facilities: flush toilet at Alice Lake which is a swimmable lake, playground, bicycle pump track, nice campground View: 4 small quiet lakes Overall score: 7/10 During our recent camping trip to Alice Lake, we did the Four Lakes…
-
Buntzen Lake Trail
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Buntzen Lake Trail Difficulty: moderate (eastern section easier than the western section, with option to walk back to parking lot on Pipeline Trail which is a flat service road.) Traffic: extremely busy on weekends especially in warmer months, parking lot may be full. We don’t even try to come here on…
-
Jug Island Beach Trail (in Belcarra Regional Park)
Even though summer has ended a few weeks ago, we agreed to continue enjoying the outdoors even if the famously wet Vancouver weather inevitably set in. But we were blessed with a streak of good weather, like a return of summer! When the sun came out on this beautiful weekday morning, I know we have…
-
Cypress Falls Park Trail
I recently came across an article on local waterfalls worth visiting, and Cypress Falls caught my eyes. It’s not too far away and seems like a short hike that we can challenge junior to complete. To our surprise, what we thought may be an easy hike is actually quite difficult at some parts, but junior…