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Cypress Falls

April 28, 2016Non-Buntzen Lake Hikes, North Shoreadmin

Cypress Falls hike starts in Cypress Falls Park in West Vancouver. The trail is pretty easy, but there are numerous off trails and it is very easy to go in the wrong direction. There are two main falls and one third one which I don’t think most people get to. The first waterfall you reach is named the lower falls and is less than 500 m from the start. The upper falls are another 600 m or so. After the upper falls, you can continue on a more rugged trail to reach what I dub as the twin falls, which are quite spectacular. I did the hike in a loop, which is also something I don’t think most people do.

The stats:

Distance: 3.2 km (loop return)
Time: 2 hours (with lots of photog breaks)
Low point: 193 m
High point: 312 m
Elevation gain: 119 m
Cumulative Elevation gain: 200 m
Trailhead: 49° 21’ 7.5” by 123° 14’ 27” (Google Map)

The route…

The photos…

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.
To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★

Crater Rim Trail

April 19, 2016Non-Buntzen Lake Hikes, Squamish - Whistler - Pembertonadmin

Before heading out to this place, I never knew a Whistler had its own crater lake ! It’s pretty cool to explore these new trails and learn new stuff ! The Crater Rim Trail is in Whistler Interpretive Forest and the trailhead is on the opposite side of the highway from Function Junction. The lake is named Logger’s Lake. The trail takes you through a boulder field and up to the crater rim and along the ridge. Eventually the trail makes its way down towards the lake. There are a number of viewpoints along the way.

The stats:

Distance: 11.2 km
Time: 4 hours
Low point: 611 m
High point: 925 m
Elevation gain: 314 m
Cumulative Elevation gain: 438 m
Trailhead: 50° 05’ 11.3” by 123° 02’ 9.8” (Google Map)

The route…

Here are some photos…

Logger's Lake Area Trails — Logger’s Lake Area Trails

First view of Logger's Lake — First view of Logger’s Lake

★★★★★★★★★★★

Buntzen Lake Posts

April 11, 2016Buntzen Lake Blogadmin

Here is where you’ll find all of my posts for Buntzen Lake. Enjoy…

Buntzen Lake Suspension Bridge — Suspension Bridge

Grouse Grind vs. Polytrichum viewpoint — Grouse Grind vs. Polytrichum

Alder Flats

April 9, 2016Golden Ears Park, Non-Buntzen Lake Hikesadmin

Alder Flats at Golden Ears Provincial Park is known as a resting stop prior to ascending Golden Ears peak. The views just above Alder Flats are amazing. This hike ends at a clearing about 100 m over the Alder Flats campsite. The clearing allows for amazing views of Golden Ears. This is one a many great hikes in Golden Ears Provincial Park. With the addition of the new bridge over Gold Creek, it is possible to do this hike in a loop, which is what we did today. We left cars at both East and West Canyon trailheads. We started up the Lower Falls trail (which parallels the East Canyon Trail), we then headed through a rugged trail, which is sparsely marked, but then made it up to East Canyon Trail. Shortly thereafter, we crossed the new bridge and started making some elevation gain. About an hour later we were at Alder Flats. The viewpoint above Alder Flats is a short hike a little further up.

The stats:

Distance: 13.4 km
Time: 5 hours (including rests)
Low point: 151 m
High point: 585 m
Elevation gain: 543 m
Cumulative Elevation gain: 875 m
East Canyon Trailhead: 49° 20’ 0” by 122° 27’ 26.5” (Google Map)
West Canyon Trailhead: 49° 19’ 38.5” by 122° 27’ 46” (Google Map)

The route…

The photos…

Golden Ears Peak from viewpoint over Alder Flats…

Viewpoint over Alder Flats…

Creek at Alder Flats…

Gold Creek Bridge…

Gold Creek from the bridge

Gold Creek Viewpoint on West Canyon Trail…

Gold Creek…

Golden Ears up close…

Snowfields…

An old sign…

There are many small bridges…

★★★★★★★★★★★

Admiralty Point

April 6, 2016Non-Buntzen Lake Hikes, Other Metro Vancouveradmin

The trail to Admiralty Point is accessed from the Belcarra Picnic area in Belcarra Regional Park. Admiralty Point Trail is in an adjoining park, named Admiralty Point Park.
This park became a National Park in 2014. Let me explain…

The federal government originally signed a 99-year lease with the City of Vancouver back in 1912 to keep the lands for park purposes. The lands were then handed over to the Greater Vancouver Regional District — now Metro Vancouver — but the lease ran out in 2011.

The Federal Government choose not to renew the lease and to make the area a public park and stay in Parks Canada’s inventory – Voila ! A National Park !!
The park remains administered by Metro Vancouver.

Annual funding from the federal government goes toward general maintenance of the park for items such as trail maintenance, fire prevention and garbage collection. The lands also play a part in Port Moody’s history. Col. R.C. Moody, for whom the city of Port Moody is named, established the Admiralty Point Military Reserve there in 1860.

The trail winds around the shoreline, offering many spectacular views along the way.

The stats to the end (Burns Point) and back…

Distance: 6 km
Time: 2 hours (with breaks and exploring)
Low point: 2 m
High point: 33 m
Elevation gain: 31 m
Parking: 49° 18’ 44.2” by 122° 55’ 31.4” (Click for Google Map and Navigation)
Trailhead: 49° 18’ 42.8” by 122° 55’ 32” (Click for Google Map and Navigation)

*tip for mobile users – long press the “Google Map and Navigation” for the option to open in the maps app.

The route (with downloadable .gpx)…

Here are some pictures from the hike…