Ahmad on Panorama Ridge:
“Our small group of Ian and I had plenty of luck. The luck of 2 weeks was squeezed into one day. The weather turned clear in the afternoon. The snow was fairly packed. There was a sort of track that we could follow most of the way. So we extended our initial plan and got to the official viewpoint of Panorama Ridge. We estimated the snow to be 0.4-0.5 m in Taylor Meadows, where we started to use snowshoes, and just over 1 m on the Ridge. The snowline started at 1100 m. The park was almost empty except for several students doing their research on the Barrier. Our whole trip took about 10 hours.”
Category Archives: Day hike
Historic Mushroom 07/12/08
Michelle on the Historic Mushroom trail:
“It would have been much more useful to have brought my Seymour Mountain Biking trail map guide than my evidently woefully out of date 109 hiking book. In typical Baden Powell style, the trailhead starts out unmistakably clear and then runs into numerous off shoots and trail crisscrosses. General maps are posted frequently (helpful) however only the most major trails are outlined leaving you guessing at the rest. Stay with the BP triangle trail markers all the way up, then follow the signs to the Historic Mushroom (with its interpretive display and the mushroom ‘stalk’ remnants). After the Mushroom, we walked back to the main trail (West) and followed Ned’s (Atomic Dust Bin) – which probably was the former Mystery Creek Trail in 109 – all the way back down to the power lines. We ended up taking the Bridle Trail back to Hyannis Point instead of the longer intended return route along Fisherman’s Trail. We were rewarded with lush forest, breath taking streams of sunshine through the dewy trees and blue skies upon return. Amazingly mild and sunny day! This isn’t December!”
Brothers Creek 30/11/08
Michelle at Brothers Creek:
“We stayed dry under the canopy (and the weather stayed mild), but the trails were wet. The first uphill section of the trail from the lower trailhead is currently a small stream and squelchy mud was under foot most of the day (although shallow and only of consequence to boot soles and pant leg hems). Upon return we snuck a view of Burrard Inlet and Stanley Park immersed in a bed of sunset fog with the Lions Gate just peeking out of the top and the downtown core rising in the background before popping back onto the road by our cars and standing in the street to stare at the city bathed in pink. The neighbours may have wondered though as our large little tour group just stood on the street corner gazing off into the distance… Enjoyable day and good company as always.”
Mt Harvey 22/11/08
Ribeka on Mt Harvey:
“Incredible day for a crisp November ascent to the peak of Mount Harvey. Ahmad, Tamsyn, Trevor, Aaron and I enjoyed a snowy, steep hike to some beautiful views of Howe Sound and the surrounding peaks. Hit patches of snow right from the start of the Mount Harvey trailhead and ankle deep fluff within the first few hundred metres, right up to the ridge. Enjoyed some incredible sunshine and views for a quick snack stop and orange seed-spitting contest. We continued along the ridge in knee deep snow and scrambled to the top for some more peek-a-boo views of the water below. A foggy lunch and a short rest before slip-sliding our way down. Cedar bark tobagganing, snowball fights and trail flag lawn darts. Good times.”
Killarney Lake 16/11/08
Merewyn at Killarney Lake and Dorman Point:
“Another great Bowen outing! We ended up a boisterous group of 13 (I know, big group but since I got so much response and it’s an easy transit hike I decided to extend the number just a little). We all had a great time exploring the leaf-covered trails on Bowen (they were damp but not very wet or muddy though some of the boardwalks were a bit slick) and then chatting it up over drinks and a late lunch (early dinner?) at the pub post-hike. The weather was a bit grey and foggy but to my surprise, there was no rain (it always rains when I do this hike!) and we did get some views from Dorman Point. Great company, great fun!”
Diez Vistas 16/11/08
Michelle at Diez Vistas:
“The weather people got the days reversed (Sunday and Saturday got each other’s forecast). The rain held off and it was nice and mild, but our band of 6 had 10 spectacular view points of … fog! It promised to clear at lookout 0 as we watched the horizon line and cloud separate, but the ridge became re-enveloped (although we managed to sneak a view of Baker from the Eastern view point). Instead we enjoyed the tranquil misty rain forest trail in all its mossy glory. We surprisingly had very little company on the trail even though the trail was in fine condition and the first parking lot was full (guess everyone was down on the lower trails). Note: Construction is posted as blocking the Eastern side of Trout Lake and the short cut junction at the Northern end of the trail by the log crossing isn’t marked – we took the long way down right to the end of Diez Vistas at the end of Trout Lake where it bottoms out onto the road. Six hours round trip including extra West to East viewpoint loop laps. One quart of ice cream down, 14 to go.”
Lynn Canyon & Seymour River 02/11/08
Merewyn in Lynn Canyon and down by the Seymour River:
“Well, the forecast for this day was a little off. We got sprinkled on a little on the trail but we also got a period of cloudy sunshine as well. The group had a very pleasant time exploring the Lynn Canyon and Seymour Demonstration areas. We all had a bit of a scare watching from a bridge above the canyon as a kayaker got caught on some rocks, struggled to regain control, submerged himself face-first in the water, and finally had to roll out of his boat and swim down through the rough patch to re-join his boat and his friends at the other end. But he got through okay and so we continued on our loop back to the suspension bridge where we had started.”
Black Mountain 26/10/08
Michelle at Black Mountain:
“Eleven of us tromped around the trails of Black Mountain with perfect weather, superb views and CoLoUrFuL conversation. Construction is in full swing, but the re-route signs are easy to follow towards Yew Lake and Black Mountain. The new trails are wide and well defined, although after the switch backs and gaining most of your elevation, there are many half frozen ‘mud pit’ sections with which a few members got well acquainted with. On the route we chose (multiple options available) we were quickly rewarded with great views of the Tantalus Range and the Lions from presumably the north summit before dipping back into the forest on an up-down type trail. We passed numerous tarns – quite pretty little lakes before reaching the impressive Eagle Bluffs at the south summit with rewarding 180-degree views.”
Bear Mountain 26/10/08
Sandra on Bear Mountain:
“Four of us hiked Bear Mountain and basically had the whole trail to ourselves. Got a good view of Harrison Lake and black flies and made a detour to Bear Lake. As expected, parts of the trail were not well maintained and we had to climb over/duck under fallen trees/debris, push through overgrown brush, etc. but nothing we couldn’t handle. It was a long climb up but we were eventually rewarded with amazing views of the Fraser Valley and Cheam mountain range though it was windy at the lookout. On the way down, the light was just right so that the colour of the leaves were simply brilliant.”
Poland Lake 26/10/08
Laurie at Poland Lake:
“After some last minute organizing (a few people signed up for this hike then changed their mind Sat. afternoon or eve. – this makes life difficult for organizers and meant that we had an empty spot even though I’d originally turned people away from this hike – don’t do this!), seven of us hit the Poland Lake trail in Manning Park around 12:30 pm last Sun. We were blessed with sunny skies and fairly warm temperatures for this time of year (warm enough for T-shirts in the sun, and just a light jacket or fleece in the shade). Contrary to my call-out, we also had some nice views of the Cascade mountains – I’d forgotten all about those. We encountered ankle-deep snow from the switchbacks on but it was fairly well packed down on the trail. Those of us who remembered gaiters and those of us like me (actually, it was only me) who were dorky enough to tuck their pants into their socks didn’t get wet pant legs. We reached the lake just after 3, had a quick lunch in the sun, then turned around at 3:30 to reach the parking lot by 5:30. By that time it had cooled off considerably and some toques and mitts were donned for the last part of the trail. All-in-all, it was a great hike with a great group. Special thanks to Christian for volunteering to drive at the last minute and thereby saving the hike!”
