Baden Powell Trail
One of the four major sections
It's 44km - approximately 14 hours - from end (Deep
Cove) to End (Eagle Ridge) and it pretty much skirts the edge
(sometimes enveloped) by the urban sprawl of Vancouver. The
grouse grind shares 200m of it, as does a Lynn Canyon Suspension
Bridge. It's the Baden Powell Trail and it's hike-able most of the
year round. David and I had an afternoon to burn and decided to
take on the section from Lynn Canyon to the base of Grouse
Mountain.
One of the attractions for me is that we can take transit to various
points along the trail. We took the bus to Lynn Canyon and began
our hike by going backward - out over the suspension bridge.
Lynn Canyon has always been a favorite just because it's so open.
Very early on in this hike it was apparent we would be taking a lot of
photos. Both David and I are camera people and there are lots of
things to take photos of.
Vancouver area ecology has definite prime times for various types of
events. Late in the summer it's mushroom time. Mid summer
there are alpine flowers. Early summer there are low elevation
flowers and (as I discovered on this hike) new ferns growing
up. Bracken fern (in my opinion) is the most interesting as
it grows up.
Sword
fern (the largest of the local ferns) is
somewhat more boring. Deer Ferns are by comparison tiny. As
I walked along I was always on the look out for new ferns but I was
under the mistaken impression that there are only three species of
local ferns.
The trail itself is quite interesting. Unlike most trails around
here (up a mountain), the Baden Powell trail is often just the default
choice through a web of trails. Some sections of the trail are
dominated by mountain bikers and the constructions they like.
Water also dominates the trail. Every 15 minutes or so you will
cross some sort water feature - a small stream or a deep valley.
Flooding also influences the look of the trail - one section had a
thick layer of sediment laid down from an up stream flood.
Another valley was washed down to bedrock from flood.
The trail is in some areas very well maintained - in other areas
wanting.
Lesters Bridge
over Abeland canyon is an example of an
old washed out
bridge that has been replaced with a very expensive aluminum
bridge.
In other parts of the bridge the washed out bridge has been replaced
with a large log.
As you walk the length of the trail you can slowly feel the ecology
changing.
As we neared the
grouse end of the trail you get into
older and dryer timber.
The last 200 meters of shared trail are like a moon scape - the trail
is broad and very well worn. Welcome to the bast of the grouse
grind. We popped back into civilization and caught the bus down
the Seabus terminal and an awesome evening BBQ. What more could
you ask for?
Tags: fern(6), forest(5), trail(3), bridge(2), waterfall(2), tree(2)
From: John Harvey Photo > John Harvey Photo - Hiking > Baden Powell Trail
I have been hiking on and around the b.p. trail and north of the water towers above skyline rd, I am looking for the turbine engine that fell from the sky in 1970 from a commercial airliner and the engine impacted the earth in this area , I have made 2 attemps now.
anyone out there with a good sence of its whereabouts ? or a detailed map ?
dan
Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 19:34:29
does anybody know where the Baden Powell trail picks up from Grouse Mountain (towards the west)? thanks!
sideshowpercy
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 01:20:00
Probably a bit late to respond, but yeah, it follows down through the houses (not very exciting) and then you can get back on it at the dam.
ME
Sunday, March 15th, 2009 at 22:51:59
Last Modified Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 01:01:46 Edit
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