Spring is finally here. Time to hike! However, it might be dangerous to go higher up in the mountains with avalanche risks or slippery rocks & roots, but you still need your nature fix.

There's nothing like a walk in the forest after it has rained. The sweet smells will make you happy that you got out. You'll release some stress and feel great. Here's some terrific walks and hikes you can do on a rainy day!

~Brae Island...a nice flat well groomed 4 km trail walk in Fort Langley that follows The Fraser River. Add Fort to Fort to make it longer.
~Burnaby Lake...a nice spongy flat 10 km trail walk that circles the lake crossing a few bridges. There are also a few other trails around to make it shorter or longer.
~Campbell Valley...several short and longer trail walks to choose from. Some with rolling hills but mostly a flat 4 Km's walk.
~Green Timbers...a nice quick trail walk get-a-way right in the city. There are many flat walks you and your best furry buddy can choose from.
~Tynehead...one if my favorite trail walks. Choose the perimeter loop 5 km walk/run/jog/bike that is wide with a few hills or step into the trails that crosses over bridges and has rolling hills ending in a dog park.
~Houston Trail...feels like you are a real 4km's hike. I like to do it twice, one from each side. It has one nasty butt kicking & thigh burning hill at the end as you loop around.
~Sunny Side Urban Forest... A beautiful trail walk that loops around. It is flat and you can do it twice to get a good walk in or add in other trails.
~Quarry Rock...a great hike 3.8 km/100 meters elevation hike without a far drive. It takes you up to a beautiful rocky outcrop with an amazing view of Indian Arm & Deep Cove. Get there early as parking is sparse.
~Sasamat Lake...an up to 8 km loop around the lake and over a floating bridge. Add the side trails in to make it this long or just circle the lake for 3.2 km. There are some hills if you go up the side trails.
~Jug Island...a 5.5 km hike that has a few steep sections, stairs and takes you onto a small beach and back to the parking lot. There's also some other trails around Jug Island that you can add on.
~Bunzten Lake...Lake View Trail takes you in some old growth and along the lake for 5.2 km...there are some hills to keep you fit for the up-coming hiking season.
~Evan's Creek Trail...a 10 km/490 m elevation in-out trail of hidden beauty in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Takes you through some old growth, along a river and out onto a boulder field and a perfect spot for lunch.
~Norvan Falls...14 Km's flat in-out trail through the calming forest of Lynn Valley Headwaters to some beautiful falls.
~Minnekhada Park...a beautiful 10 Km's/180 m elevation hike in Coquitlam with some elevation to see some views at the High Knoll.
~Lindeman Lake...a fun moderate 3.4 Km's/300 m elevation up to a green beautiful lake, that's fun for all the family.
~Lynn Loop at Lynn Headwaters...is a fun hike with minimal elevation. It's a 5.2 Km's loop with bridges & and a pretty river. 
~Lower Falls at Golden Ears Provincial Park...a flat easy hike that takes you to a couple of beaches and a 10 m cascading falls. Perfect hike for kids.

~Menzies Trail at Golden Ears. A 9 Km's hike that can be done as a loop or an in-out trail. Expect wet feet as you'll cross many streams and one waterfall.

I have a lot more trail walks to choose from: http://www.hikingforthescaredycat.com/my-trail-walks.html#.VRK-j2K9KSM

Happy & safe trails! Lori aka Scaredy Cat.

Eaton Lake to the 2nd Falls Lookout

4.5-8.5 Km's

915 meters elevation

Toilet paper free pit toilet

Trail Key: D~2~ST~R~RT~LC~V~DF~KF

2015~Follow a wide, rocky dirt path with a rushing creek on your right. Soon the trail becomes skinny as it snakes it's way up to a wide log bridge with grating & small railing in the middle to give you some comfort. On your left is Eaton Creek with a powerful waterfall cascading down. This is about .5 Km's. Due to the trails steepness the Km's seem longer.

As you walk along the trail weaves it's way switch backing and snaking it's way in a beautiful forest. It's steep at times. And the grade levels out at times but don't get too comfortable as it soon climbs again. After awhile it dips down to a sketchy bridge crossing with a bench. The bridge is not far off the ground but needs to be replaced. This is the 1/2 way mark (about 2 km).

At times along the trail there is minimal blowdown and the odd log to get over. Soon you come to the second Falls Lookout. It's a skinnier trail and a slight drop off on your left side that would take you down to the river. You can get a little closer to see the falls but it's rooty & slippery. Once you're happy you can make this the end of your hike or carry on to Eaton Lake. If you decide this is the end then a trip back to the first log bridge crossing is a great area for lunch and to snap lots of photos.

If you decide to carry on, keep in mind the trail steepens through the forest. As you near the top you may encounter snow, two sketchy log crossings and a bound field to get through before Eaton Lake greets you. You might think it's a short hike but when trails become steeper, it takes longer to get to your goal.

You could loose some of your nine lives on this steep trail. I would suggest to go on a dry day and to bring MICROspikes. Happy & safe trails.

Directions:

From Highway #1 (Trans-Canada Highway) near Hope, take exit #168. Follow Flood Hope Road east to a flashing amber light and turn right on to Silver Skagit Road. Follow the gravel road complete with many potholes. After the road's 16 km marker, turn left on to a side road marked with a sign for the Eaton Lake Trail and Eaton Creek forestry campsite. Follow the road up a short hill to the campsite area, where there is parking for approximately four cars. There's not a lot of room up there.

Trail Key: M~2~R~RT~V~ST~DF~KF~H

2015-The trail is well marked, you're following: Brothers Creek Forestry Walk start past a gate and rocky wide path to the second TH, go right. At the branch go left.

Crossover Trail (has a picnic table)...keep going up.

At the branch #5 you'll want to see the Candelabra Fir. keep going to 5 & 6. Go right at #6. Once you've seen this large Fir, then return the way you came and once out the trail continue on right.

Not long after you'll come to Brothers Creek Bridge. If you go right for 485 meters for a trip to Lost Lake. It's worth it. Lost Lake can be a perfect lunch spot. Once finished return the way you came. Go right & cross the bridge. After you cross the bridge, there's a trail to the right for 1.2 Km's to view, Blue Gentian Lake. Once back on the main trail, turn right and follow the path down past two TH sign posts.

Go left, down Skyline. You'll go down some nature made stairs, rocks and man made stairs. It's slippery here, take your time. Go over a bridge and a powerful waterfall is there to greet you. Continue up the stairs where it's steep. Be careful as you walk up the wet & slippery stairs.

Now you're back in the forest crossing many bridges. After quite awhile in the forest go down a skinny trail to branch, go right. Follow trail down the rocky wide trail to the street where you parked earlier.

Watch your footing near the stairs on the waterfall and you won't loose any if your nine lives near the waterfall. Happy & safe hiking.

Directions: To get to British Properties and the trail head for Three Brothers. From Hwy one take the Taylor Way exit, you'll come to one roundabout. Turn left onto Southborough Drive and left at Highland Drive. Drive up the hill to Eyremount Drive, turn left here and right onto Crestline Road. Turn left at Henlow Road and then right on Millstream Road. You'll see the trail head at the end of the road. You can park close to the a TH or where ever you can find parking.

Trail Key: M~2~DF~KF~ST~H~V~R~SW

No pit toilets

988 meters/12 Km's

2015~You can park your car right off the road and walk the 4 Km's up the FSR but it's quite the trudge or you can drive a bit farther depending on the type of car you have. The roads are not as bad as Mt. Cheam. A 4x4 would be handy however, the walk is pretty with views almost right away.

I'll report the way we went...We walked from the roadside. Follow logging road up. There are two branches...the first one we stayed right and the second we stayed left. There is painted rocks as you go indicating your distance. You are going up this road for 4 Km's. It's steep at times but the road is in good condition for a FSR.

Soon the actual trail proper is on your left with a sign post. Follow the wide dirt path. Not long after there's another TH sign on your left. Have a stretch and a small snack as this is where the real work begins. The trail now switchbacks up the mountain, each SB steeper than the last. There's trees and rocks along the way to help your footing and balance.

You'll see a .5 km wooded painted sign, it's steeper here but keep going. It's worth it and you don't have far now. Take a breather and continue along the ridge where you'll see a peak of the views of what's to come. It goes back in the forest. It's hilly in some parts but the grade is a lot easier, you have done the hard work. It's quite beautiful in here. Almost like an enchanted forest.

Nailed in the tree, is a proper sign that says, 1.5 Km's. It's here where you have just a few meters left. The path gets skinny and you'll come out onto an open beautiful spot where to the south: Sleese (sadly, in 1956, a winter storm caused a DC-3 to crash killing all 62 passengers) & to the north: The Cheam range, Foley and Welch are all there to greet you. They are spectacular, proud of their beauty! Happy to share it with you.

Once you've stretched, filled your belly and recorded these memories in your camera return the way you came carefully navigating some of the steeper switchbacks on the way down.

As a footnote you can carry on from the summit to Williams Ridge. I haven't done this yet but hope to complete it this coming year.

Scaredy Cat says it's un-likely you'll loose any of your nine lives. Take it easy at the summit & coming down the switchbacks. Happy & safe hiking.

Directions: Drive Hwy One to Chilliwack. Follow signs to Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park. At the Chilliwack River Bridge turn left and follow the river east for about 28.5 kilometres and turn left on the Ford Mountain Forest Service Road. This is just past the 'Ford Mountain Correctional Institution.' Then you'll cross the Chilliwack river one more time and look for the FSR on the left. (Courtesy of Trailpeak)

GPS waypoints courtesy: Clubtread

Start of trail       N49.10879 W121.60584 10U 601749 5440485

Parking               N49.10535 W121.60367 10U 601914 5440106

Below rock bluff N49.10928 W121.60291 10U 601962 5440544

Top of rock bluff N49.10930 W121.60126 10U 602082 5440548

Ridge viewpoint N49.10997 W121.59870 10U 602267 5440626

Summit               N49.10968 W121.58810 10U 603042 5440608

To MacKay Lake (Mt.St. Benedict)

Trail Key: M~2~RT~R~H~V~ST

The trail head is on road right side, just before the bridge.

It's up, up, up right from the get go...switchbacking and snaking to a logging road. Go left!

There's a couple of branches, stay left. Follow the steep rocky road up for a good km and there's a trail with red flagging tape to the right. Don't take it. Instead keep going up the logging road which gets a little flatter and skinnier. The logging road starts to get grassy as you look ahead another trail on your right with pink & orange flagging tape. There's 2 sets of 3 sticks, one with a pot on it. Take this trail. You cross a dirt path over a little running creek.

A quick walk up a creek bed then a snaky somewhat hilly trail and into another creek bed. A few creek crossings and back on a rocky & rooty trail.

Soon the trail gets a little muddy and weaves along as you hear a rushing creek on your left and see a debris chute high above on your right.

Keep going and not too much longer McKay Lake emerges in front of you go down the trail and a rushing creek is to your left. Several logs are at the mouth of the creek. Cross them. This can be your destination. The rushing creek and logs far in the water make a nice spot for lunch. You might even have the area to yourself.

If you feel up for the challenge after you cross the logs you'll see a traditional orange square trail marker and a wooden stump, follow this to Mt St. Benedict. It weaves it's way to a crossing and up some roots. Soon you'll see MacKay Lake far below and at this point the trail gets steeper and steeper with a lot more ground to cover. I did not carry on due to daylight hours.

Scaredy Cat says you won't loose any of your nine lives to MacKay Lake. Happy & safe hiking!

A footnote:

From the logging we took the wrong trail, the first one. I might add so did 5 other people after us. This was an old logging area (logging tape is longer with writing on it. It's not your traditional flagging tape you'd see on a trail) and what I'll call, 'The Dead Forest.' Each time I reached out for a hand from a tree it spoke back to me with the words of, "I'm tired." It's once lively presence now was crumbling in my hands and falling to the ground. As I walked on with my party well ahead there came a time while hugging the mountainside when my gut was no longer whispering the sounds of...this is not right to screaming words of ...This is NOT right. This is not a trail! With my hiking party not impressed with me turning back on my own, they understood and let me go. Believing they had steps to go they carried on in search of MacKay Lake and the summit of Mt. St. Benedict. They would never meet either. As I realized while munching on my lunch at the MacKay Lake. I returned to the logging road and walked about 10 minutes and found the proper TH and was excited to see them at the top. It never happened.

They trenched on as the grade became incredibly steeper but with light pouring from in between the trees they still believed they were on route to MacKay Lake.

Here's some words of their journey:

Christine said, "It was lovely & challenging going up. It was horrific, mind numbing and hell on the way down.. A full body workout. Sticks and twigs dangerously close to my insides. My heart was hurting on the way down.

Wendy said, "I think there's twigs in all parts of my body. If a cougar found me I would not resist, take me now I'd tell the wild animal as it will save me from this hell. I didn't realize I was that flexible. I don't like flagging tape anymore. I was up close and personal with trees & rocks. Someone asked me, "Did you bring your crampons..." "No it's a moderate hike." I replied. Moderate if you went up the correct trail.

Redina said..."A gong show. I didn't know I had chest muscles until I woke up this morning in pain. We were literally swinging from the trees...we were spider woman and through it all was Irene the mountain goat, completely happy in her element."

I just want to add how experienced and tough these lady hikers are. I'm grateful they got down safely and hope we can get up there again so I can show them how beautiful this hike truly is. What would have I done different yesterday...maybe tried a little harder to get them to come with me to go and find the proper TH or left a note for them saying I was trying to find the correct TH. I had left notes at MacKay Lake and beyond but not helpful when they never made it there.

We are trying new things, stepping out of our comfort zones and learning more and more together as we grow in nature.

By Harold Wiebe

My son James and I went up Mount Nutt today, looking forward to some route finding and GPS work and thinking it was a bushwack all the way but were suprised by a well marked, well maintained, easy to follow steep trail.

I had read trip reports of a bushwack starting at the high point of the East Canyon trail up Nutt to a ridge, heading south, crossing over up and down, and then descending down in a loop to a point on the East Canyon Trail again but closer to the parking lot. I had decided to take the nearer leg of the loop, closer to the parking lot, and see how far we could get. We had our maps and compasses and GPS all fired up but were a bit taken aback by all the markers and trail work done in that area.

Nevertheless we headed straight up the mountain and made it to what I call the false summit in under 3 hours. Note: not all maps agree on where the summit of Mount Nutt actually is. The Ridge Meadows hiking club had made a nice but steep trail to one of the sub peaks of the Mount Nutt ridge. I had been interested in this ridge because of the vantage points of some old friends that I might get. Old friends like Robie Reid, Judge Howay, Golden Ears, Edge Peak, Blanshard Needle and others.

The first part of the trail simply follows the East Canyon Trail a little over a kilometer and then turns right at a sign that says "Mount Nutt Viewpoints-difficult". Head up that and begin to really gain the 1288 m in elevation in a couple of kilometers if you go as far as us, but if you stay at the viewpoints that the Ridge Meadows club has provided you'll still ascend to 1087 m. The trail takes you past 2 minor viewpoints along the way, each to views of parts of Alouette lake that you probably have never seen before. The trail gives you a bit of relief and takes you through old growth forest with a mossy bed. The final 2 views are of Alouette Lake where it narrows, and on the other side of the ridge, a few minutes away, of the whole Golden Ears massif. This last view is noteworthy because you can see laid out before you, side by side, the Alder Flats and Evans Creek scree slopes. I managed to convice James to continue along the ridge, bushwacking our way to the edge of the gap between us and the peak until I could catch a glimpse of Robie Reid. We managed to do that and stay within our turn-around time window to get out of the park before the gate closed. How annoying that closure is! My recomendation: if you're a fan of Golden Ears Park then definitely do this this one to see things from a new perspective. If you generally just like the park and you enjoy a good steep workout with a nice view while you eat you lunch, then go for it too. Elevation gain: 1087m over 4.7 km. James and I hiked there and back in 5 hrs and 10 min.

Harold Wiebe is a core music teacher with Surrey Schools. In his spare time he enjoys recording music, spending time with his wife, Bobbie, and his children. Harold comes alive in the mountains and can pretty much name them all. For more information on Mount Nutt check out his FB post here:

https://www.facebook.com/harold.wiebe/posts/10152682686131190

Trail Key: M~2~PT~DF~KF~ST~CC~V~HR~RT

15 Km's~1000 meters elevation gain

2015~As you drive past the store (on your left) and through the gates into Buntzen Lake, a few moments later you'll see a little blue sign on your right, then the first parking lot on your right. This is the lot you need to be at. There's a sign post and a pit toilet in the parking lot. Be aware of the gate closer time. There is no parking outside the gate so you must be back in time as BC Hydro is on time. You will not be able to get your car out until the morning if you don't make it back in time.

*Start your hike on the Academy Trail (near the pit toilet). It climbs gradually up the wide, rocky & snaking trail. After about ten minutes the Halvor Lunden Trail is on your right. Turn right...It begins winding it's rocky way up, up & up.

You'll come to your first switchback and then the trail snakes again up to your first sign that says, 'Eagle Bluffs Lookout' to your right. There were power lines obstructing the view, it's 800 meters to the lookout. With so many amazing lookouts...I would suggest to see it on your way down if time is not on your side.

Keep climbing then you'll come to a creek crossing and a semi flat area. Don't get too comfortable as this trail climbs almost to the end. More switchbacks and a snaky trail as it somewhat climbs again to Polytrichum Lookout. There are views of Buntzen Lake and surrounding mountains. It took is about 1.5 hrs to get to this point.

The trail continues to climb again up through a rooty part and over a little wooden bridge. Then a short stretch of another rough part and under a log. Right away you go down and up a creek bed then the trail finally flattens again for a long time. Soon you pop into a bright and opened area with a ravine on your left. If you have a fear of heights forget about looking down. It's really pretty in here. Not long after you're back in the woods.

Soon you'll see a sign high in the tree that says, Left: Lindsay lake & Right: **White Rock. Stay left.

Finally after what seems like forever you get to the El Paso junction. Going left takes you though the view points and loops back around to this junction or right takes you through the lakes and then the view points and back to the junction. We choose left.

Go down the somewhat steep rocky path to a stunning little waterfall with a pool of frothy bubbly water. Once you fill your camera with memories. Keep going, the next section of trail is a little rough. A rock and a chain assist helps in one part. It's rooty & has steep up's and down's and after about 30 minutes you'll be treated to beautiful lookout. Barton Point has everything. Views all the way to Surrey and beyond. It is here where I would suggest to either keep going completing the Lindsay Lake Loop or to head back to the El Paso Junction. The entire loop is about 2.5 hrs depending on your speed. I choose this was my summit as the gates were locked at 5:30 p.m.

Make your way back the same way carefully navigating all the steeps sections down. This hike is best done in the summer months where the gates are open later and the days are longer. It's also not a good idea after it has rained as it would be slippery on the roots and rocks.

You can also add on Swan Falls but it is longer at 20 Km's.

You could loose one of your nine lives so take your time. Happy & safe hiking.

Lori aka Scaredy Cat.

*You should leave your hiking it itinerary with the Warden's Office. On the map Lindsay Lake Loop says #1 but no where on the trail does it indicate this. However, the trail is well marked with trail markers and has a signs closer to the top of the different points of interest.

**White Rock is a real pretty lookout but due to daylight hours we skipped it. We planned on seeing it on the way back but you don't see the sign as easy. If you want to see it I would suggest to see it on the way up. I'm not sure how far in it is and the trail conditions.

For more information and directions: https://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/buntzen_lake_trails.html You can also check Outdoor Vancouver and Vancouver Trails as they too will be posting this hike shortly.