Tag Archives: hike

Quarry Rock Hike at Deep Cove

Region: The North Shore
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 2 hours
Distance: 3.8km
Elevation Gain: 100 meters
Season: year-round
Camping: No
Dog Friendly: Yes
Public Transit: Yes
Approx. 30 minutes from Vancouver
Things to bring: towel, granola bar + snack, water bottle, sunscreen, camera

Although you see that it’s under the easy level, and only a gain of 100 meters, this one was tough for me. I dunno if it’s because of the hip and knee problems I have from time to time (although they didn’t bother me that much when I went twice over the summer), but perhaps I was really out of shape, and perhaps the minor heart regurgitation I have could be the reason to have me puffing and dying already at 10 minutes into the hike, while everyone is fine. “this is so easy!” a girl says as she had done the Grouse Grind the day before. Note to self = never to the Grind. And my friend who does the Grind at least a dozen times over the season wants me to go along, but is afraid I’ll never make it up…and with all the warning signs at the entrance, and no emergency to fall back on, I guess it’s just not meant to be in my bucket list. I have no problem with that since I’d rather travel to experience different culture than do the Grind.

I was last in line of a group of dozen to get to the rock. Everyone else was already relaxing and enjoying the spectacular view from above. At least this hike is very rewarding. There is quite a bit of going up and down during the hike. Wear comfortable and supportive shoes, though I have seen many girls in their flip flops. Good luck.

Once you’re down, it’s nice to have restaurants to dine in at, enjoy some ice cream, and chill by the waters. There is more to do here before/after the hike at Deep Cove that makes the journey more interesting.

Lighthouse Park

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Region: The North Shore
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 10 minutes
Distance: 600 meters
Elevation Gain: minimal
Season: year-round
Camping: No
Dog Friendly: Yes
Approx. 40 minutes from Vancouver

This is not the hike listed on Vancouver Trails website. This is a very short ‘walk’ from the parking lot to the actual Lighthouse. It’s only a 10 minute walk, but do come with walkable shoes – though I did see one Asian girl in super high-heels and dressed as though she was headed to Cactus Club or something. Most of the trail is a wide gravel path, but once you go up some stairs, you need to walk over boulders and rocky surfaces to see the Lighthouse well. You will definitely not be able to go up on them with such high heels!

There is also a hike trail, but instead we biked on the streets in the area for a while until my bike had a flat tire Man, the roads here are hilly!! not that I didn’t expect that…my calves burnt and I was panting like crazy.

Huge tree that indicates how old it was

From the viewpoint

Small hut for children to play and learn

Closer to Lighthouse

View of downtown Vancouver

The small parking lot is really bumpy with holes everywhere. Good luck trying to finding a parking lot on a nice summer day…it’s always full. No bikes are allowed on the trails, but there is a place where you can lock up your bikes if you happen to ride up to the parking lot and walk the rest to the Lighthouse.

At the viewpoint there is a small house for kids to play and learn about nature. I was surprised to see no gift shops. LoL. Lighthouse Park is open year-round, park gates close before dusk and there is no camping permitted.

Lynn Valley Creek and Rice Lake Hike

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Region: The North Shore
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hours
Distance: 3km
Elevation Gain: minimal
Season: year-round
Camping: No
Dog Friendly: No
Public Transit: Yes
Approx. 40 minutes from Vancouver
Washroom: Yes at the main building, and some outhouses
Things to bring: towel, granola bar + snack, water bottle, sunscreen, camera

We decided to do an easy hike since I have hip and knee problems. As you can see with the info above from Vancouver Trails, it’s a fairly easy hike. Because we were taking pictures here and there, took some alternate routes, rested, we were out there for 2.5 hours.

There is free parking at this location, and don’t be surprised if you find that you’re not the only one especially during the summer season! There’s lots of hiker (or casual walkers), those that come to dip in the creek, and tourists that are wearing clothing and footwear not suitable for this walk. There is a trail, but it’s not paved or anything, so don’t come in shoes with heels!

To start off the trail, we cross the suspension bridge. If you don’t want to pay the ridiculous $35 for the Capilano suspension bridge, then go to this bridge. Perhaps it’s not as big, but still, you get the idea for absolutely free. Be prepared to stall at the bridge as many cling onto the bridge as if they’re going to fall off.

Wobbly bridge

Everyone taking a dip in the cool waters during a hot summer day

At the creek where it’s deep, there’s a huge crowd of people as if it’s like some summer resort. People are in their bathing suits, jumping from the rocky cliffs into the water. It’s clean, but not the place you want to go if you’re looking to dip in a more natural, quiet surrounding – ie. without so many people and touristy people taking photos of you.

The trail branches off to Rice Lake, and so we walked around the entire lake (mostly flat trail). Coming from growing up near the Rockies, this lake is nothing spectacular, but nice to know that you can get to a place like this so close to the city. There was a family that was fishing. I didn’t see them catch anything, but I did see a dead fish floating near the shore…hopefully, it was a natural death, and not because the water is becoming contaminated…o_O

Calm Rice lake

There is no swimming or boating allowed at this lake.

By the time I got to the lake, my hip and knees were acting up. The trail back, although easy was uncomfortable, and awkward to walk through. The stairs at several points in the trail were killers, but I just went really slow. I couldn’t sleep well that night because of the swelling and dull ache…

Overall, it was a good hike. Would have liked it a bit less crowded at the creek area.