2010 Hiking Season
Date: April 7, 2010While a lot of hiking trails are open year-round, other trails are only accessible after the snow has melted and this year has posed some challenging conditions, from the lack of snow in the winter months to the recent snowfalls in March and April. Trails on the mountains of the North Shore, such as the Grouse Grind, Brothers Creek Loop, and Goat Mountain offer great views of Vancouver and the mountains and take you through breathtaking forests. The low amount of snow on the ground prior to the Olympics would lead many to believe that these trails are accessible. However, with the recent fresh snowfalls, the ski slopes on Cypress, Grouse and Seymour are open again and have extended their seasons. Hikers will have to be patient before they can enjoy the trails on the North Shore Mountains again.
This time of year it is very important to be aware of avalanches and to educate and know the conditions in the area before heading out. Trails in Cypress Provincial Park are open again after the Olympic closure, but the Canadian Avalanche Centre does not recommend going into the back-country at the moment because of high avalanche risk.
There are many trails at lower elevation on the North Shore are accessible year-round and include Capilano Canyon, Cypress Falls, Lighthouse Park, Lynn Loop, Quarry Rock and Rice Lake.
Heading east of Vancouver? Try Buntzen Lake, Tea Pot Hill, Pitt Wildlife Loop, or Minnekhada Regional Park.