The backcountry routes at Lynn Headwaters Regional Park are now open for the summer of 2024. This includes the Hanes Valley, Coliseum Mountain, Crown Mountain, and Lynn Lake trails. A word of caution for anyone considering hiking the Hanes Valley Trail this summer. The logs that hikers use to cross Lynn Creek have shifted and weakened over the winter, making for an unreliable crossing. During times of high water or after heavy rain, the creek is not safe to cross. Be aware of forecasted weather and your own abilities when planning your hike. The crossing of Lynn Creek along the Hanes Valley Tr ..read more

The Canada Day long weekend looks like a mixed bag of whether with the chance of some rain and some sun too. In addition, there is still snow on many of the mountains at higher elevations, particularly up in the Whistler area and some of the North Shore Backcountry trails in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. If you haven’t made plans for this long weekend, here are some ideas for getting out onto the trails. Squamish There are plenty of trails to hike and explore in the Squamish area, several of which are snow-free this time of year. Spend time hiking up the Sea To Summit Trail before taking the ..read more

Vancouver is well known for it’s nearby mountains and rugged rivers, so it’s not a surprise that there are some pretty spectacular waterfalls near the city. These are the five best waterfalls to checkout near Metro Vancouver. While there are some pretty incredible waterfalls in the Fraser Valley or up the Sea To Sky, these waterfalls are close to the city and each trailhead can be accessed by public transit. Please use caution when hiking to any of these waterfalls and stay away from the slippery cliffs, rapidly moving creeks, and the falling debris that can fall over the waterfalls. There hav ..read more

The upcoming May Long Weekend offers a good opportunity to get out and hit some hiking trails. While we’ve been experience plenty of sunshine as of late, many of the trails at the higher elevations still have plenty of snow on them. However, there are several great hiking trails which are accessible and snow-free. Sea To Summit Trail A steep section of the hike along the Sea To Summit Trail. The Sea To Summit Trail takes you from the bottom to the top of the Sea To Sky Gondola in Squamish. The trail is 7.5km long with an elevation gain of 918 meters, however you only have to hike up the hill ..read more

BC Parks, Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua have partnered to manage Pipi7íyekw / Joffre Lakes Park. With the increased number of visitors to the park, this partnership will help to balance the increased number of visitors to the park with sustaining and conserving the natural and cultural values of the region. During the 2024 summer season, free day-use passes will be required and there will be a few complete closures of the park. Park Closures Joffre Lakes Park will be closed on the following dates in 2024: April 30 – May 15 – to support Indigenous-led cultural celebrations, including Stl’atl’im ..read more

From the challenging West Coast Trail to rugged northern coast around Cape Scott, Vancouver Island is home to some of the world’s best multi-day camping and hiking trips. The trails are not easy as they pass along coastlines, through mountains, and remote forests that receive lots of rain and are battered by the weather elements of the Pacific Northwest. Taryn Eyton (aka @HappiestOutdoors) has compiled a thorough list of multi-day trails in a book titled “Backpacking on Vancouver Island: The Essential Guide to the Best Multi-Day Trips and Day Hikes“. The book includes 35 routes and complete de ..read more

Spring break often feels like the start of the hiking season for many as the weather begins to warm, offering a great opportunity for an adventure with friends and family. The weather forecast is calling for a warm spring break in the Vancouver and southwestern British Columbia region, however there is still snow in the mountains and the risk of avalanches will be high. The good news is there are plenty of lower elevations trails that are snow-free and this year. Buntzen Lake The spring season is a great time to visit Buntzen Lake as it is much quieter compared to the summer month and a parkin ..read more

After a massive atmospheric river event in 2021 caused significant damage to Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Park, the park has remained closed since and is unlikely to re-open in 2024. The damage was so significant that it put the structure of some of the tunnels in question. However, BC Parks have been hard at work to restore the trail, bridges, and tunnels and do plan to provide an update on their progress and when the park might re-open. For now, you can watch this 4K video walk-through of all the tunnels. The post Othello Tunnels Update first appeared on Vancouver Trails ..read more

Pay parking went into effect at three popular West Vancouver hiking trails, including Lighthouse Park, Whytecliff Park, and Nelson Canyon (Whyte Lake Trailhead). The District of West Vancouver voted in 2023 to charge visitors to these parks $3.75 per hour plus taxes and fees to park, which amounts to a total of $5.23 per hour. For example, if you plan to spend a few hours at Lighthouse Park which is a good amount of time for a hike and to enjoy the views, it will cost you $15.69. To pay for parking, users will need to scan a QR code posted on a sign at the park or use the phone apps hangTag or ..read more

This weekend is the BC Family Day long weekend and planning an outing can be a fun, enjoyable experience for the entire family. The weather for the start of 2024 has certainly been eventful, from freezing temperatures and snow to unseasonably warm temperatures over the past month. There are many hiking trails that are snow free at low and mid level elevation levels that might normally have snow on them this time of year. We’ll stick to easier trails and places to explore for families in this article. Here are several recommendations. Rice Lake Located in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve ..read more