Hayward Lake Hiking Trails, Mission, BC

silva plut from vancouver writes:

I am planning to hike the lake next Sunday and would like to know if the lake is good for swimming. Can anybody give me this info?
Thanks.

Posted: August 28, 2011 05:16:54 PM PST

James from Abbotsford writes:

Beavers can be found all over the Fraser Valley. Streams that have plenty of vegitation are great places to find Beavers. There are some in Gardener Park In Abbotsford. Just seen them.

Posted: July 3, 2011 11:25:45 AM PST

Gary from North Vancouver writes:

I heard you can see beavers in this lake.
Has anyone seen beavers or signs of beaver activity (eg dams, chiseled tree trunks, etc...)

Are there other places in the Fraser valley that have beavers ??

thank you.

Gary

Posted: July 2, 2011 08:59:49 AM PST

James from Abbotsford writes:

Jumping across the gap in the bridge was the best part! However, the lake looks shabby right now when compared to its normal splendor. I hope they bring the water back up soon!

Posted: June 11, 2011 11:16:22 PM PST

Kira from Abbotsford writes:

Went to hike the trail today, however the bridge is broken. The water is sooo low that it split appart in the middle. The ramps are blocked off but you can walk around. However you have to jump across about 5 feet in the middle. Wont be repaired for a while!

Posted: May 29, 2011 09:44:46 PM PST

Perry from Mission writes:

Hayward trail is drying up nicely. Did it 2 days ago in 2 hours 50 minutes power walking.

Posted: May 26, 2011 02:36:07 PM PST

Elaine from Abbotsford writes:

We did the Haward Lake hike today and it took us 3 hours and 40 minutes. It was a long hike(17km) but not difficult. In the beginning the only problem was that the trail went along the road but the signage was non existant...not a big deal at all. We left @ 9am and we saw very few people. We started out from the parking lot on the west side to the dam and over to the east side of the lake and did the full circumferance. Once we were back on the west side we ran into more people on the easy trail.

Overall, really good hike. Would suspect that mid summer on a weekend would not be the time to take this hike.rnYesterday we kayaked the circumferance and I would highly recommend that. We only saw 2 other kayakers and it was a very peacefull paddle. Again we put in at 9am. The water was like glass, and the eagles, loons and geese joined us through the old stumps and inlets. Awsome paddle. Very beautiful.

Posted: April 23, 2011 05:06:09 PM PST

John Hewson from Burnaby BC writes:

Did the trail on Saturday (April 16, 2011) Beautiful trail round the lake. The construction work at Blind Slough dam was no problem; just a short raod detour is required.rnrnRecommended pont is Steelhead Falls; beautiful photo op there.rnrnAlso, along the west shore forest trail are a few lovely old growth trrees worth seeing.rnrnAll in all a lovely 17km. hike, with the 6km. on the east shore being an easy former railway track and the west shore being a lovely 11 km. forest trail. If you haven't got time for the whole thing, I highly recommend the west shore forest trail.

Posted: April 18, 2011 03:02:00 PM PST

Jennifer from Vancouver writes:

The loop is open now (we were there on April 9) although we seen signage dated early March that indicated a full loop wasn't possible. The part of the trail that they were working on was on the Railway Trail and it is complete. Now when you cross the dam to the other side there are a series of steep ups and downs (including one that garnered some swearing under ones breath) until you get to the widest creek/stream crossing and it levels back out and the access road starts. I believe the trail that used to be there was more of the typical lake perimeter/rolling style vs. UP-DOWN-UP-DOWN-DEARGODUP?... lol

Otherwise- great trail. I definitely prefer the Reservoir Trail side as it's in the trees, more rolling, and the ground is made of forest earth. The Railway trail, once it flattens out, is compacted gravel... doesn't quite have the same give for the legs/joints.

I do highly recommend hiking clockwise from the recreation/picnic area to Reservoir Trail then to Railway Trail to get the elevation gain out of the way at the start. I can't imagine what I would have felt like (with my 35lb backpack for training) if I had had to do them at the end.

Posted: April 12, 2011 09:46:24 AM PST

Mary Ann Westendorf from Maple Ridge writes:

My daughter and her friend took me on this hike today and it was beautiful. WE did 12 K /7.5 miles. In spite of the light rain we stayed relatively dry under the canopy of tall trees. Some of the hills were pretty steep but doable for this out of shape Gramma. :) I'd love to do the whole loop in preparation for the BMO half-marathon on May 1st.
Does anyone know when the loop will re-open?

Posted: February 13, 2011 02:41:27 PM PST

Debra & John from Pitt Meadows writes:

We hiked the trail September 5th, 2010 on a whim. Had just planned on a short walk and started out at the Stave Falls end and walked south along the west side of the lake. By the time we got to the bridge to cross the lake we figured we'd finished what we started. It was a beautiful and serene part of our magnificent province. We finished the walk in just over 5 hours and we are both in our mid 50's. Thanks to those that both created and maintain the trail.

Posted: September 13, 2010 12:34:59 PM PST

Joel D from the Mish writes:

did the trail today... 17km july 22 10
I really liked it allot. me and my friend age 29-33 did it in 4hours.. just walking. I'm not sore or anything still have lots of energy for band prac and volleyball. good trail to tier out you ten year old... seen lots of ppl with there dogs and a few runners. trail would be good even in the rain/snow because half of it's undercover by the beautiful wilderness. if your a first timer study the online map... a few parts are on the road..not much. all in all I give it 10/10. Nature ROCKS!!!

Posted: July 22, 2010 12:49:33 AM PST

Dorothy from North Vancouver writes:

It is a beautiful trail and we enjoyed it. Was a little longer than we figured as we had not really read the book carefully-could do with a few more markers to let you know where you are at with regards to the kl. Good hike for people with dogs.

Posted: July 9, 2010 01:14:03 PM PST

Linda & Derrick from Abbotsford writes:

Seven of us hiked Hayward Lake Trail on Canada Day! We had 3 kids age 11-14 yrs old, all who managed the 17 km. hike within 4.5 hours. The trails were well groomed, and we all really enjoyed this hike. Encountered bear droppings on the west trail, and again on the east trail....bring bear spray just in case! Definately would return to this trail around the lake again. Maybe next time we will run/jog around this trail!

Posted: July 2, 2010 06:23:16 PM PST

Nathan from Vancouver writes:

Hiked the full loop today. Reservoir Trail was very nice: well maintained, beautiful views, and lovely snaking trail through the woods. The view of the waterfall is worth the slight detour from the main path. The entire loop, however, is marred by the trails over the dams. They are busy roads without any shoulder in places. Also, the Railway section has nice views and access to beaches, but is basically just an access road for BC Hydro.

The recreational area was nice and I would hike the Reservoir Trail again, but only as an out and back, not the entire loop.

Posted: May 7, 2010 09:00:02 PM PST

Tammy Lang from Maple Ridge writes:

My Husband and I ran the trail yesterday and it was heaven! Well maintained and had a vairity of terrain. This was a challenging trail to run. We come from Vancouver Island and we love the trails over there but we are stating to think these trails over here may have them beat!

Well worth the hike or run!

Tammy and Ivan Lang

Posted: April 30, 2010 10:09:26 AM PST

Johanna from Langley writes:

This is a gorgeous hike, and well worth the time, but the directions for the Reservoir Trail are a bit misleading. When you are walking past the Stave Falls Power House/Visitor Centre, the instructions should specify that you have to walk up the road for 5 - 10 minutes before you cross the dam. (Don't go left! That is not the dam they are referring to!)

Or, what is even easier yet, take the Railway Trail out of the parking lot and cross over Ruskin Dam when you hit the end. It was open when we hiked it, so we were able to do the full loop without doubling back.

Posted: April 4, 2010 10:23:14 PM PST

Murray from Surrey writes:

I hiked the railway trail from the parking lot to the dam and back on Jan 10, 2010. There appeared to be quite a bit of trail work going on. A couple of new bridges are built and some of the trail edges were being reinforced and new gravel spread on the trail. This is a good hike in the winter. Even if it's raining a lot the trail remains in good shape.

For more coments on the trail see my blog at http://westcoasthiker.blogspot.com

Posted: January 17, 2010 10:36:02 AM PST