A touch of post-vaccine fatigue had us contemplating a flat cycle ride rather than a hike. We parked at the Mud Bay parking lot, which took some finding, where we had to wait for what felt like the world's longest train to pass before we could turn onto the access road. Views on the way … Continue reading Vignette: Boundary Bay, 15 May 2021
Opinion: Well, I have to say that this trail doesn't have a great deal going for it. It's steep, and when it's not steep it's rooty and muddy. Plus there are no views, while the sounds of the firing range and/or quarry are constant companions. And yet, I still want to hike this trail again … Continue reading Munro Lake, 23 May 2021
Opinion: Spring is probably the nicest time of year to hike this section of the Baden-Powell trail and the Lynn Valley Link offered a surprisingly nice way to turn it into a loop hike, despite several kilometres of street walking. It won't win prizes for views or solitude, and more than half of the uphill … Continue reading Baden-Powell Trail and Lynn Valley Link, 2 May 2021
Opinion: Do not do this trail right now as the snow is a slushy mess, and microspikes don't help. The BCMC was better than expected thanks to recent upgrades that have significantly improved the first quarter of the ascent. However, having said all that, the views were pretty darn nice and almost made us forget … Continue reading Dam Mountain and Thunderbird Ridge (via BCMC Trail), 17 Apr 2021
Opinion: Another sunny morning, another early dash up Hollyburn to feel alive. We didn't even mind the extra walk from the backcountry parking lot, although it turned out to be unnecessary. Fact: Let's start by clarifying the parking situation. Parking is free along the Cypress Bowl Road, where there is just enough space to pull … Continue reading Hollyburn Mountain, 7 Feb 2021
With an uninspiring weather forecast and a desire to see some greenery, we opted for a walk closer to home rather than over on the North Shore. We parked up just west of Spanish Banks Creek, walked west along the beach as far as the last parking lot on Marine Drive before crossing over into … Continue reading Vignette: Pacific Spirit Park, 6 Mar 2021
Opinion: Far from the most exciting hike but it was the right choice for a winter's day when we didn't feel like battling the crowds on the North Shore. An easy trail, good hiking, and some nice views out across the lake made for an enjoyable couple of hours. The downside was the tedious drive … Continue reading Buntzen Lake, 20 Feb 2021
Opinion: A worthy loop when you can't think of anything else to do, long enough to feel like a hike and wild enough to leave behind the noise of the city. Very popular with hikers, dog-walkers, runners, and cyclists (even on a dull Sunday afternoon) so don't expect solitude. FactTo our amazement, the parking at … Continue reading Seymour River and Lynn Creek Loop, 17 Jan 2021
After the rain cleared, the dazzling sun lit up the day tempting us outside into the gusty north-westerly winds. Neither the beach nor the dykes appealed in such conditions, and we suspected the Stanley Park seawall would be too crowded on a fine weekend afternoon. Did we dare brave the traffic over to the North … Continue reading Vignette: Lighthouse Park, 6 Feb 2021
Opinion With the most time above the trees, Mount Seymour is simply the best of the North Shore mountains in winter, especially on a bluebird day like today. The price is, of course, popularity so getting a parking spot requires a very early start, and when the conditions are right, venturing beyond Pump Peak to … Continue reading Tim Jones Peak, 23 Jan 2021
Being. Outdoors. 