Paintbrush Trail, Manning Park

This week we drove down to the Washington State end of Osoyoos Lake to visit with some friends who had rented a house there.  On route, we passed through BC’s Manning Park and stopped to have a quick walk for Mojo and stretch legs.

We decided to do the Paintbrush Trail in the sub-alpine area of the park, about 16km off of the main highway up a winding mountain road.

About halfway up the road is the Cascade Lookout.  Views from here South over the Manning Park Resort down in the valley below and Lightning Lake beyond.

The peaks of Windy Joe, The Parks, Mt Winthrop and Mt Frosty. The Parks and Mt Winthrop are both over the border in the US North Cascades National Park.

After taking in the views at Cascade Lookout we continue the remaining distance up the road to the sub-alpine region of the park where a number of trails begin, including the short but scenic Paintbrush Trail.

Views to the West from the trail.

The Indian Paintbrush plant after which the trail is named.

Looking North over surrounding peaks from the circular Paintbrush Trail route.

Views to the East.

Finally views to the South.

After completing the easy walk we returned to the main highway and continued on our journey.  There are a great number of day hikes in Manning Park and we certainly hope to return again and complete some more.

Hot Summer’s Day Hikes

Last week summer was fully here with daily temps into the 30’s so our focus was on walks with plenty of water access for Mojo. 

Just a few snaps from two of the walks we completed last week;

The first was in Cypress Provincial Park, close to home.  We took the Black Mountain trail from the alpine ski area, up the side of the bowl.

Views across the bowl to the ski area on the opposite side.

Soon we reach the first of many small alpine lakes.  Mojo posing having already had a good paddle and a quick swim.

Our favourite lake on this walk is Cabin Lake.  It has pretty rocky edges and is surround by short trees that reflect in it’s glasslike surface (except when Mojo’s been swimming).

Mojo spends a good 20 minutes or so swimming back and forth after his stick, loving every minute of it !

Video of Mojo swimming in peaceful Cabin Lake.

After his swim we continued the short further walk to Black Mountain but there was a family just sitting down to a picnic right on top so we decided just to continue on to Eagle Bluffs. 

The views from Eagle Bluffs on a clear day are astounding, from Mt Baker in Washington, right across the city, Vancouver Island, Bowen Island, Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast.  Unfortunately today was very hazy so the views while nice, were not worth photographing.

A quick snap of Mojo from my phone, just to show us at Eagle Bluffs.

We returned on the circular route, taking the Baden Powel Trail and then connecting to the top of the chairlifts, which gave us great views across Cypress Bowl with The Lions just visible in the distance.

The next day we met up with our friend Sig and her dogs Buddy and Missie at Buntzen Lake.

To begin our hike we played for a while at the dog beach, which even though it was mid week was still extremely busy.

The South beach was buzzing with people and dogs !

Missie is a long-haired miniature daschund – not a breed that is known for wanting to be in water.  This particular long-haired miniature daschund grew up in the company of Buddy and Mojo and is quite different.  Just try getting her OUT of the water.

She loves fetching sticks just like the other two.  This video shows her hilarious swimming style, using her tail as a propeller !

After our time at the dog beach we completed the 3.5hr hike around the lake with plenty more swimming along the way.  A great way to spend a summers day.

The Remaining Days of Denny, Jay and Annabel’s Visit

After returning from Oregon we had a few more days to relax in the city.

Denny was particularly keen to get some local walks in so as well as hikes at Lynn Headwaters we also visited Pitt Lake with them.

We ‘borrowed’ our friends dog Buddy and took him home with us afterwards as our friends were joining us for a BBQ in the evening.

Views towards the South from the dyke.

After fighting our way through the slightly overgrown wildlife reserve section of the walk we make it to the first observation tower, signalling the remainder of the walk on the wide flat dykes that will be easier to traverse.

David, Annabel, Jay, Denny, Buddy and Mojo

From the observation tower, views to the South over the marsh

And to the North

Mojo and his buddy, Buddy !

More good views as we walk.

After Buddy sets the example, Mojo also gets some swimming in.

Views to the North up Pitt Lake.

Annabel and the dogs

The Osprey we had seen a few weeks earlier with Bridget and Mal was still nesting.

We continue along the final section of the circular walk.

Then return to where we had left the car.  We enjoyed a picnic in the recreation area beside the river and headed home, a very nice day out !

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On another day during their visit we decided to take them to Granville Island and see a little more of Downtown which we didn’t get to much on their last visit in 2007.

I took Mojo for a long early morning hike and then we left him to snooze at home.  We also left car and jumped on the bus down to Lonsdale Quay where we connected onto the Seabus across to Waterfront Station.

Annabel at Waterfront Station.

From Waterfront Station we took the Canada Line skytrain to Roundhouse Station where we departed and walked along the seawall to the nearest Aquabus watertaxi stop.

Views of houseboats from the water taxi as we travel along False Creek towards Granville Island. 

Some of the stores at Granville Island had the right idea !

Underneath Granville Bridge

Soon the morning marine cloud had burned off, the sun came out and we had views West along False Creek towards Burrard Bridge

Views East along False Creek

We visited lots of artisan shops and and then through the market which offers;

Things that are pretty…..

Things that are healthy……..

And things that are tasty…….. (and pretty, just not healthy !)

Annabel was impressed by the Pez Centre.

After lunch we decide to head back into Downtown.  Denny, Jay and Annabel waiting for the watertaxi to take us further West and back across False Creek.

Views back towards Granville Island as we cross False Creek.

Burrard Bridge from the water taxi

Once back on dry land we continue West along the Seawall, under the Burrard Bridge

Art installations on the beach in English Bay, we still find it amazing to have these nice sandy beaches right in Downtown !

More views as we continue along the Seawall towards the West End

We turn off the seawall at Denman St and head a couple blocks North where we stop and have fantastic ice creams at Marble Slab Creamery before continuing along Denman St past all the numerous restaurants and local stores before reaching the Northern section of the seawall.

Views across Coal Harbour and Lift Restaurant with Stanley Park in the background.

Looking along the seawall towards the grassy roof of the Convention Centre.

Assortment of yachts and houseboats with Downtown behind.

Looking towards home from Downtown.

We eventually followed the seawall back to Waterfront Station where we retraced our steps on the Seabus and Bus back home.  Lots of walking but a really nice way to see our city on a warm summers day.

The remaining couple of days were spent locally around the house and trails walking Mojo and catching up on last minute shopping before our visitors returned home.

Mojo having enjoyed some good walks was become a little pungent so Annabel helped me give him a bath.

As a special request from Jay the last night meal for our guests was steak with lobster tails as ever prepared expertly by David.

After our meal, using the timer function on the camera we managed a good family photo (after a few outtakes – thanks Mojo !)

A great visit guys, thanks for coming we really enjoyed the three weeks.  Look forward to seeing you here again in the future !