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Grouse Grind at Grouse Mountain Regional Park
Quick facts: Let’s face it: Grouse Grind exists as a workout trail. You won’t find peace and quiet here. No rushing streams, no beautiful lakes, no waterfalls. Instead, you will meet lots and lots of sweaty people, mostly out of breath, and all trying to hike up. There’s a sense of competition and comradery here,…
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Barnston Island Regional Park
I recently reconnected with Dave, a good friend I met almost 20 years ago at a summer camp, over our blog and outdoor activities. We set up an outdoor reunion and headed to Barnston Island for a fun family bike ride with his lovely family. Barnston Island is formed by Fraser River sediment deposition, between…
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Island 22 Bike Skills Park
After our camping trip at Chilliwack Lake, the boys really wanted to go somewhere biking. After a quick search, we came across this bike park. Compared to a few pump tracks we went to in the Lower Mainland, this bike park is fairly big with many different levels to try out. And the best part:…
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Indian Arm Paddle to Thwaytes Landing Regional Park
Thwaytes Landing is a water-access-only, 130-acre property midway up Indian Arm, directly across from the famous Buntzen Powerhouses. The Land Conservancy (TLC), who purchased and transferred the property to GVRD to turn it into a regional park, has a fantastic write-up on its history and features. In summary, the lot was named after Captain Tom…
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Killarney Lake Loop – Crippen Regional Park
Quick Facts: Crippen Regional Park is located on Bowen Island, a bit further afield than the other Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. We made a day trip of it with our friends Amy and Marcus’ family and tackled the Killarney Lake Loop. We drove up to the picnic area where there’s a small parking lot. The…
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Spanish Trail to Salish Trail Loop in Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Salish Trail to Spanish Trail Loop, 7.2km with 103m elevation Difficulty: intermediate but only due to length Traffic: moderate Facilities: flush toilet at trail head, pit toilet at the information kiosk on 16th Ave View: forests, creeks, canyon, golf course, wetland, and partially obstructed views of Burrard Inlet and Spanish Banks…
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Burnaby Lake Paddle
Quick Facts Parking and Launching: Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion Launching type: dock Difficulty – very easy, beginner friendly Boat traffic – no recreational motor boats allowed View – wetlands, wildlife, North Shore mountains, and crops of high rise buildings Facilities – no public washrooms Overall score – 7/10 Located in the center of Burnaby Lake…
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Campbell Valley Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Little River Loop, 2.3km with 11m elevation Difficulty: very easy, stroller friendly Traffic: light on a winter morning Facilities: pit toilet View: wetland, river view Overall score: 5/10 We had a chance to visit South Surrey and we dropped by Campbell Valley Regional Park for a quick stroll, which is just a…
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Boundary Bay Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Boundary Bay, 3.7km with 11m elevation Difficulty: very easy, stroller friendly Traffic: heavy on a sunny weekend afternoon Facilities: flush toilet, big playground, accessible path on sandy beach View: sandy beaches of Boundary Bay, flat and exposed sandy dunes Overall score: 7/10 Boundary Bay Regional Park features a sandy Centennial Beach and…
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Kanaka Creek Regional Park
Quick Facts: AllTrails link: Kanaka Creek Canyon Trail, 3.7km with 123m elevation Difficulty: easy, but not stroller friendly Traffic: light on a rainy day Facilities: pit toilets, picnic tables near the canyons and at the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre View: interesting views of the canyons and water carved sandstones Overall score: 8/10 Kanaka Creek Regional…