The Outdoors: Hiking the Lower Mainland

[twoNeurons]

I started thinking of all the fantastic hikes in the Lower Mainland that I've been on and I thought I'd share a couple that I've been on. (note: The Grouse Grind does not count as a "hike." It it more accurately termed a barbarous stair climb up the face of a mount to get to the top of a gondola.)

I'll upload some of the pictures I've taken of these places when I get around to it, but I'll start the thread off with one place I've been:

Mt. Cheam Peak.
You need a truck or a car with a lot of clearance to get to the base of this trail, and a 4x4 is preferable, but this is one hike that you must do at least once. On a good low-pollution day, you can see to the Ocean and further one way and Jones Lake the other.

The hike takes from 4-6 hours roundtrip from bottom to top. With lots of breaks, you'll be around 3 hours each way, with people who have never hiked before.

More info here.

The View is further enhanced by the fact that you climb up the back-side of the mountain for almost the entire way and it's only when you get to the very peak that the whole Fraser Valley opens up beneath you. Litereally, it takes your breath away. To add to this, you hike a lot of the trip through alpine meadows and there's a little lake at the bottom to cool off in when you're done the hike.

From MT. Cheam Peak to its sister Mountain, Lady Peak


Looking North-west Across the Fraser River at Agassiz


Chilliwack, Looking West across the Fraser Valley

Images from here

[vanlaw]

^^^^^

Damn! I was trying to keep Cheam a secret!!!!!!

But as you say, if you go in the summer - you have to hit it within a few days (3 max) of rain, or its just socked up in smog.

[twoNeurons]

Cool. Where else have you hiked? I'd be curious of those that have hiked the Golden Ears and around there.

[giallo]

Gorgeous! I've got to hit that place up with my camera this summer. It looks unbelievably beautiful.

[glacierhike]

My name speaks for itself. I have a strong passion for mountian climbing. Most of this for me takes place on Vancouver island. I have hiked the Golden Hinde twice ( the tallest mountain of V.I.) I have been over too do the lions.
My time is mostly spent in Strathcona park on central Vancouver island.
I hope too challenge myself with more hikes on the mainland. Great thread.

[twoNeurons]

Cool. I'm thinking of taking a few first-time kids on an overnight hike this spring/summer. I was thinking Lindeman Lake, in Chilliwack Lake Park, which is a pretty easy hike for first-timers.

However, I'd be interested in knowing a good overnighter with water in areas I'm not as familiar with. I know Golden Ears has a cabin you can hike up to but I'm not too familiar with the area.

GlacierHike, can you post pictures of hinde?

[Nutterbug]

Is glacierhike glacierfed?

[twoNeurons]

Okay. So I finally uploaded my pictures of Cheam, Enjoy:

Spoon Lake, as seen from halfway up the Peak


About Half Way up:


Mountains to the South. (I believe that's Mt. Slesse)


Wahleach (Jones) Lake as seen from close to the peak of Mt Cheam.


Lady Peak (Looks like a Labrador from the valley and known locally as Dog mountain)



Looking down at Spoon Lake from close to the Peak of Cheam. You can see much of the trail leading up:


Looking down at the Fraser River from a rocky outcropping on the Peak:


Chilliwack, looking West

[MistyMountainHop]

Mt. Seymour in the summer is always nice and never crowded, unlike Grouse.

Going farther out of town, hiking up the back side of the Chief leads to one of the most awesome viewpoints around.

[Nutterbug]

Are Garibaldi and Black Tusk "Lower Mainland" enough?

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by Nutterbug

Are Garibaldi and Black Tusk "Lower Mainland" enough?

Yes, they are... but that's a long hike for 8 and 12 year olds.

I'm planning on doing Garibaldi Lake and Black Tush sometime late summer though.

I hear there are some good hikes in the Maple Ridge Area, but I'm not too familiar with them.

The Chief is a nice viewpoint (I prefer Mt. Cheam, but the Chief is far more accessible) , but I'm looking for a place I can set up camp, preferably with running water.

( I know, I'm being picky )

Hey, aren't there some hot springs you can hike to North of Vancouver?

[Distill3d]

i've been on a few hikes in the area. mainly within Pacific Spirit Park, Belcarra, and Lynn Valley. these are minor little hikes compared to what i'm used to in Alberta. i want to get out and do more, but i don't know anyone in the area that enjoys hiking (my girfriend is not the best hiking companion...) and i don't have a vehicle.

so if any one is up for a good hike on the weekend or what not, let me know.

[twoNeurons]

I know Clubtread has a bunch of enthusiasts who go hiking. You should check out their site.