A Week of Local Walks

Over the last week our contractors have been working diligently in our basement with the renovations which will hopefully be complete the first week of November.  In the meantime there is much incentive to get out of the house with the noise and interuption more for Mojo than myself.  However, with other work commitments of my own and the need to stay in touch with the contractors we have stayed close to home and walked only in North Vancouver.  No new walks here just retracing some of our usual steps in bright fall weather.

Lynn Headwaters.

We completed the long loop at Lynn Headwaters and added the Varley Trail to the route for an extra few kilometres.  The Varley Trail as it winds through the forest.

Views up Lynn Creek from the bridge at the picnic grounds in the park.

The couple of weeks before this had been extremely wet so the forest trails are already soaked….it’s not even November yet !  The stepping-stone-logs are coming in handy.

A paddle and a drink – all of the seasonal creeks are flowing fully again.

After a couple hours walking we reach 3rd Debris Chute and nice views across Hanes Valley.

Beside the river at 3rd Debris Chute.

We then return on the faster and easier riverside trail getting these views along the way.

Buntzen Lake.

Another day last week we met up with Sig and walked the dogs at Buntzen Lake.  Three sitting dogs here waiting for the rewards for their efforts.

Mystery Peak, Mt Seymour.

On another bright clear day recently we walked on Mount Seymour to Mystery Lake and Peak.  I had hoped to actually do the Mt Seymour Peak route this year but on this day we didn’t have time for the longer hike and it won’t be long before the first snows arrive….so that will probably have to wait for another year.

We first walked the Mystery Lake and Peak route about one year ago.  Today started sunny but clouded as the day progressed so the photos aren’t as great as last time.  Still a lovely change of scenery, alpine vs forest and being so exposed plenty of chance to enjoy the October sun.

From the main parking lot on Mt Seymour the trails head off in different directions, left to Dog Mountain, straight ahead to Mt Seymour or ahead and right to Mystery Lake.

As we climb the trail winds back and forth under one of the stationary chairlifts, awaiting the upcoming ski season.

Gorgeous fiery reds mark the colour of the season.

We had intended to stop and have a paddle in Mystery Lake on our way to the peak but our unfortunate timing meant a couple had just sat for a peaceful lunch right at the beach area of the lake and I didn’t think they would appreciate the sights, sounds and smells of a disgusting, wet Australian shepherd bouncing all over them.  So no photo op at the lake today we just headed on up towards the peak.

At the top of the last steep scramble the clouds have rolled in to the south so no views over the city today but we still have a nice aspect West across the lower slopes of Mt Seymour.

The peak of Mt Seymour, we’ll try and get there in 2012 !

Snowy peaks to the North, probably on the edge of Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Having missed out on a drink in Mystery Lake Mojo settles for a small pond we found near the top of Mystery Peak.

More views from Mystery Peak before making our return walk down on the other half of todays circular walk.

Quarry Rock.

Another recent walk was to Quarry Rock in the village of Deep Cove on the Eastern end of North Vancouver.

We park in  the village and set out across Panorama Park, views here along the waters edge into Indian Arm.  The ridge on the opposite side of the water is in the Buntzen Lake Recreation Area and contains the Diez Vistas Trail we walked back in August.  Click here for that post.

Mojo waits patiently for his off-leash walk.  This whole taking photos business seems so unnecessary !

 

The route to Quarry Rock uses the Baden Powel Trail

The trail climbs up through the forest, mostly second generation with a few impressive old-growth stumps left.

Lots of fall colours in amongst the evergreens.

The Quarry Rock lookout was very busy when we got there so we only stopped for a few minutes.  The high cloud meant there wasn’t going to be an impressive view anyway.  We took this quick snap looking back down at the village of Deep Cove before returning the way we had come.