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.

Drive to Minnekhada Park in Coquitlam. The trail head is on Quarry Road just past 3.5 Km's on your GPS and on marker 12 on the left side of the road. There's a small pull out on the right side of the road that fits 2-3 cars max. Walk left up the rocky road, over dead fall and a beaten garbage covered path until you get to the top of the road, go right. The trail is marked with only pink ribbon now...the previous sign has since fallen off. There are no washrooms on this trail.

Trail Key: RT~R~St~V~CC~H

2015~Munro Lake is your first of two lakes on this diamond in a ruff hike. It's pretty much a snaky trail that's rooty, rocky and steep. It's up, up and just when you think it levels out, there's more up!

You'll come to a small creek crossing then walk up a small creek bed. You are in and out of forest. For most of the hike the markers are tired and old with the odd fresh one hanging. The markings get a little better once nearer to the top. After what seems like forever you'll read a trail marker that reads, 400 meters. You're almost half way.

You'll come to a fork-stay left. It soon levels a bit but don't get comfy because for second it climbs again. Another small creek crossings and up and then a short walk in the park.

Another fork-stay left. Until now as you've walked along you've seen little views peaking through the trees but now on your right is your fist lookout. See how far you've come with Pitt River below snaking its way through the valley.

The trail now snakes with more elevation and you come to a few switchbacks. On your left you'll see a rocky boulder field (Picca's are here) and a right away a nasty log crossing. It's cut for you to get through so some might like it but it wasn't that easy for me being short. The next little bit is really steep (probably the steepest) with a little hand scrambling.

Now even though you had glimpses through the trees and a first lookout this is a beautiful second lookout. A perfect spot to rest and have a snack on this rocky bluff. It is a loop lookout that takes you back to the trail to Munro.

The trail levels a bit and has some ups and downs. In this section of old growth nature has come through here with a powerful force. Expect blowdown, mud, sticks and branches as you navigate your way along. After a long walk in this section you'll arrive at a junction. It is here you must decide...going left for 1.5 hrs takes you up to Dennett Lake or going right for about 15-30 minutes takes you to Munro Lake and the junction to another way up to *Dennett Lake. We decided to see Munro Lake.

As you walk along, the trees thin and Heather appears. Water comes into your view and you're happily delighted until you learn this boggy part is just the appetizer of what's to come. Now it gets a little tricky as it's quite the bushwhacking marked trail expedition finding your way to Munro Lake but when she appears you'll understand why you choose this hike. There's a nice lunch spot or a little private island to explore. The views offer your camera beautiful shots that look professional. You might have heard that there's lots of frogs...being a snow free February, we saw none.

Once your done make your way back the way you came. The trek going down will be slow at times as you navigate some of the steeper sections and slippery rocks. I would not recommend this hike on a rainy day...too slippery!

You won't loose any of your nine lives. Happy & safe hiking. Lori aka Scaredy Cat.

* We never did find the trail head to Dennett Lake from Munro Lake. It might be better from the junction...however it makes for tiring day to continue on that beaten path. This could be done on a separate day.

GPS Waypoints

(From Trailpeak..May or may not be current)

Trailhead N49.32241 W122.68877 10U 522617 5463344

Trail leaves old road N49.32207 W122.69161 10U 522411 5463306

Start of open / bushy forest N49.32396 W122.69189 10U 522389 5463516

End of open / bushy forest N49.32656 W122.69298 10U 522309 5463804

Overgrown viewpoint N49.32998 W122.68993 10U 522529 5464185

South viewpoint N49.33269 W122.69248 10U 522343 5464486

Trail becomes less steep N49.33394 W122.69107 10U 522444 5464625

Trail levels out N49.33738 W122.69158 10U 522406 5465008

Village-Lake Trail junction N49.33952 W122.69103 10U 522445 5465246

Munro Lake N49.34257 W122.68976 10U 522536 5465585

Former site of Munro Lake dam N49.34584 W122.68026 10U 523224 5465951

Junction with side trail to Munro Lake Overlook N49.34833 W122.69587 10U 522089 5466224

Munro Lake Overlook N49.34547 W122.69485 10U 522165 5465906

Dennet Lake N49.35024 W122.69796 10U 521937 5466435

Junction with connector to Village-Lake Trail N49.34934 W122.69984 10U 521800 5466335

Junction with Burke Ridge Trail N49.35101 W122.70685 10U 521291 5466518

Walk along past the pit toilets and over the Lynn Creek Bridge. There's a map and hikers sign in book. Sign in and start your hike to the left. This is a 13.8 Km's hike with minimal elevation.

Walk along the wide trail as the rushing creek is on your left side. In the beginning there will be lots of runners and dog walkers. This 1.7 Km's of the trail is called the Cedar Mills Trail. The trail goes up some stairs, rocks and gets narrower as you cross a few streams and end up in a beautiful forest. There will be a fork in the trail, stay left.

At 4km with the creek still on your left side you will come out into the open area called, Debris Chute. Walking on a rocky trail continue on your right and the trail picks up on your left. You now have 3 Km's to go and are submerged in the forest.

The next few Km's are muddy with many creek crossings. Poles are handy. There is a few sections with a little elevation but minimal.

Soon you'll hear Lynn Creek again and it will get louder and louder. On your right you'll see the sign for Coliseum Mtn. This trail is closed in the winter months. Carry on and right away you'll see a steel suspension bridge high above a rushing Lynn Creek. Cross the bridge and this is the summer route through Hanes Valley to Grouse Mountain. Another route that's closed during the winter months. The suspension bridge is pretty & fun to cross but your real treat is 200 meters to your right. Follow the creek up as Norvan Falls soon will become visible. You can walk down to the creek beach area and snap some great pictures. You can also go up higher and closer to the falls along the trail. Be mindful as it can be slippery on the rocks. The beach area is a perfect spot for lunch.

Once you're done head back the way you came. Once back at the opening you can go left and loop the other way back to the parking lot or you can continue on the way you came. Sign back in the hikers book, cross over the bridge and head back to your car.

Happy & safe hiking.

Lori aka Scaredy Cat

Directions: Norvan Falls is in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park in North Vancouver. Take Highway #1 to the Lynn Canyon Exit and follow Lynn Valley Road northbound for several blocks and through the park and narrow road. There's a couple of parking lots. The farthest one is the smallest. If it's full backtrack to the larger parking lot.