British Columbia Lower Mainland

For all of these areas; Black Bears - and in some cases Grizzly Bears - are common; be bear aware. For information on bears in a specific area, contact park staff. For general guidelines on bear safety, visit the Parks Canada 'You Are in Bear Country' page at: http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/docs/pc/guide/nature/nature02_e.asp.

Golden Ears Provincial Park

This is one of the best and is located near Haney. It is exactly eleven kilometres - on a virtually flat road - from the "White Goat" at the entrance to the park to the campsite. Note that this is a campsite used by cars/trucks and is popular during the "Tourist Season".

There are several possible routes for short hikes from the campsite. Access from Vancouver is via Highway 7 towards Maple Ridge. Turn off Highway 7 at Dewdney Trunk Road, after passing through downtown Haney watch for signs directing you to Golden Ears Provincial Park. See the "References and Further Information" page on this web site for a link to the BC Parks website.

Mount Seymour Provincial Park

This is a good location for a single day practice trip. A good route is from the beginning of the Mystery Peak Ski Lift (at the north end of the parking lot) to the peak (some times called the "Third Peak") of Mount Seymour itself. This is a good trip for practice with map and compass on a clear day: good views. Beware of the cliffs along the backside (north) of this - and other local mountains. Take your own water on this hike (insect repellent is also recommended at the Black Flies can be very abundant along parts of this trail during warmer months).

Access from Vancouver is across the Second Narrows Bridge and onto Mount Seymour Park Way. Turn left at the shopping mall on Mount Seymour Park Way (the newer one with a Safeway). Follow the paved road all the way to the parking lot at the downhill ski area. See the "References and Further Information" page on this web site for a link to the BC Parks website.

Lynn Headwaters Regional Park

This is another good location for a single day practice trip (camping is not allowed in this park). This park is located in North Vancouver. The main trail is better used than some others and a good day trip is to Norvan Falls and back (Travel beyond Norvan Falls is only for experienced, well equipped back country travelers. Most travel beyond Norvan Falls is on 'routes' rather than the well marked and maintained trials to reach Norvan Falls.) Because this trail is in a valley bottom and mostly surrounded by a dense forest, it is not particularly good for learning how to use a map and compass. This trail is a good site for first time hikers that you want to break in gently. Keep in mind that the north shore and especially this valley, receive a good deal of rain.

Access from Vancouver is across the Second Narrows Bridge and onto Mountain Highway. Follow Mountain Highway north to Lynn Valley Road, this will lead directly to the park (transit runs to the corner of Lynn Valley Road and Dempsey Road; within site of the park entrance).

Cypress Bowl Provincial Park

This is another good location for a single day practice trip. This park is located in West Vancouver. There are several possibilities depending on the duration and level of difficulty desired. Possible destinations (from the parking lot at the downhill ski area) are: Black Mountain, Mount Strachan and the Lions. Hollyburn Mountain is another possible destination but is better accessed from the cross-country ski area parking lot.

Access from Vancouver is across the Second Narrows Bridge or Lions Gate Bridge and onto the Upper Levels Highway. Once on the Upper Levels Highway, head towards Horseshoe Bay and watch for signs indicating the route to Cypress Bowl. See the "References and Further Information" page on this web site for a link to the BC Parks website.

Manning Provincial Park

Due to the distance from Vancouver, this area should be considered for overnight trips or long day trips.

The Three Brothers Mountain area offers many possibilities for Expeditions. Many options are available for multi-day trips. This area is especially attractive because, the worst of the elevation gain can be done by car (park at the trailhead near Blackwall Peak). The actual trailhead is already in an alpine setting.

Several destinations are available and there are several backcountry campsites for your use. Kicking Horse wilderness campsite is approximately 13.5 kilometres from the trailhead. Kicking Horse camp to Nicomen Lake campsite, approximately 8.5 kilometres. With a side trip or two (e.g. up Third Brother Mountain or Fourth Brother Mountain, this could be a Gold Qualifying Expedition. Note that this route is of moderate difficulty ant that there is no significant gain or loss of altitude (except perhaps the final descent to Nicomen Lake from the ridge above). Because of the altitude, snow can occur at any time of the year; be prepared for winter conditions.

BC Parks has constructed wooden platforms at Buckhorn and Kicking Horse wilderness campsites for tents. There are approximately eight platforms at each site therefore: a maximum of eight tents. Considerable rehabilitation work is also in progress at both sites to repair damage from overuse. As of August 1998, no changes have been made at the Nicomen Lake campsite. No fires are permitted in these campsites. Contact Parks staff (see the "References and Further Information" page on this web site for a link to the BC Parks website) for further information.

Note that Black Bears are common in Manning Park; be bear aware. [For general guidelines on bear safety, visit the Parks Canada 'You Are in Bear Country' page at: http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-banff/bears.html. ]

Manning Park is approximately three hours east of Vancouver (via Hope and Highway 3 towards Princeton). To get to the trailhead for the Three Brothers Mountains area (The Heather Trail); pull into the Manning Park Lodge Parking lot from Highway 3.

When leaving the Manning Park Lodge parking lot (east end) go directly across the highway onto the road directly across as you exit and turn left at the first turn. The passes Manning Park Lodge staff housing as the road follows along beside the highway briefly. You will then pass a yellow gate (which is locked early/late in the season) and follow a paved road. The pavement ends at a viewpoint and the mountains seen from this viewpoint are not seen from the highway. Allow time to stop and admire the view here. Continue to follow the road from here - turns to gravel as you leave the viewpoint - for about another 4.8 kilometres to the trailhead (on the left below Blackwall Peak).