This route description
was completed on Dec. 7, 2003 and is based on an 8:00 am start time. It has
been updated a modest amount so be careful and watch for the orange triangular
BP trail markers. The times shown are
+/- 30 seconds and please note I am a runner of modest speed (4 hr marathon, 8
hour Knee Knacker). The most treacherous
section is between Hyannis and Seymour River as you head toward Lynn
Canyon. There are lots of slippery roots
to slip on and the terrain is quite varied, lulling you into a false sense of
security. Generally, the route is easier
on the return trip but your out and back times will be very similar. There were many blow downs (trees and
branches) so watch your step.
|
Time |
Description |
km |
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8:30 |
Meet at Panorama Park in Deep Cove |
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8:31 |
Sign waivers |
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8:55 |
Welcome, final briefing, group photo |
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9:00 |
Start – the climb out of Deep Cove begins at the Baden Powell sign at the North end of the Panorama Park parking lot. All the signs you want to see along the way look like this one: 6” square with a high quality silver and blue BP Sign indicating the Baden Powell Trail direction and at times including distances. Also watch for the orange BP Triangles nailed to the trees regularly along the way. Follow the Baden Powell Trail the entire way to the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Distance is 11.1 Km each way, 24.2 Km round trip. |
00.00 |
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à Feel free to turn around at any point to make the run as short as you want. |
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The “trail” begins about 200 meters North down the road on the left hand side. Look for a steep little driveway and a BP Sign. Take the stairs up, way up. The section takes you up over 9 bridges (most new), 1 long set of stairs and to the power lines. |
00.20 |
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9:25 |
BP Sign: Turn left (right turn is the Indian Arm Lookout) |
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Run under the power lines and then take the immediate right turn and go UP. If you end up taking the service road under the power lines this will come out at the same spot but is slightly shorter. If you end up going down a trail after the power lines, turn around. |
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9:33 |
BP Sign: Arrive at Indian River Road: Turn left and follow the road straight for 5 minutes to the water tanks on the right. Notice the nice house in the middle of nowhere. There is a BP Sign here at the water tanks, pay attention, go straight and do not take the trail behind you to the right up the mountain (it’s very steep eventually). |
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The BP Trail rolls nicely and is very easy to follow over 12 bridges. But it’s all up. |
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9:47 |
Centennial Baden Powell Trail Sign: Arrive at Seymour Road. There are toilets here and a garbage can. Please watch carefully for speeding cars as you cross the road back on to the nice rolling trail. |
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Come across another bridge just before a trail intersection. Be careful here. Turn left then turn right immediately. |
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9:52 |
Another trail intersection. Right is Old Buck. Left plus 60 paces is yet another BP Trail intersection. Go over the bridge, straight, and UP over another bridge. There are signs here so please read them and pay attention. You ultimately want to be going up in roughly the same direction you were going before all this intersection stuff. Do not go through any “gates”. Stick to the well worn BP Trail. |
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10:04 |
BP Sign: You’ve reached the top! (so far) This is where the BP takes a definitive left turn down through what we call the Seymour Grind (the grinding part is on the return trip). This section is generally rough. After a few minutes there is a sign with a sharp left turn just before you start to head down again. Continue straight and start to go down. |
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There will be a vague left turn after traversing back and forth down the hill where you need to watch for loose and slippery rocks. All these “vague left turn” trails meet up. And then there are new bridges and mud on both sides and maybe in front of you too. Most of the great big metal spikes in slippery old broken down wooden bridges are gone. Lots of fun! Watch your step. Admire the handiwork. |
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10:20 |
BP Sign: Important Intersection!!! Turn right. You don’t want to miss this one but it is fairly obvious. You then quickly reach a small creek with a bridge. Do not go over the bridge. Go straight. To Hyannis is another 0.7 Km. Lynn Canyon is only 4.6 Km from here. |
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10:24 |
BP Sign: Now you want to go over the creek … turn right. There is a new bridge. The Knee Knacker Trail Work Party was here in June 2003. |
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10:16 |
A fork in the trail … no signs, no identification, just stay left. If you go right you are on a shortcut but end up in the same place. |
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10:28 |
BP Sign: The two forks meet up at a BP Sign. Turn left. If you took the shortcut, you get to go straight. Shame on you. |
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10:29 |
BP Sign: You’ve arrived at Hyannis Drive. Cross the road and keep going down the stairs and the boardwalk. Lots of steps on the boardwalk, watch out. Danger: on the way to Seymour River, there are lots of slippery roots to slip on and the terrain is quite varied, lulling you into a false sense of security. Please take your time and arrive in one piece. |
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Distances |
From Hyannis: Seymour River 1.0Km, Lillooet Road 1.Km, Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge 3.9 Km. And the elevation gain/loss to the Bridge is –150m/+145m. But that just doesn’t describe the trip very well … have fun going down, up, down, and up again … then do it all on the way back too. |
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10:36 |
BP Sign: Important Intersection … turn left and go down the gravel trail toward Riverside Drive. |
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10:38 |
Riverside Drive intersection with a big sign. Do not go straight out to the road. Turn 90 degrees right and go down to Seymour River. You will see the foot bridge right away. Look at the river. Then go up the super really steep steps. |
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10:48 |
After heading UP the trail, step over the big pipe laying across the ground. Go straight under the power lines, do not turn on to any other trails and there are several so watch out. |
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10:52 |
BP Sign: You’ve arrived at Lillooet Road! Only 1.6Km to go. This is a gravel road that is well used by cars. Turn right-ish and immediately go across the gravel road. Turn left and get back on the trail. |
10.50 |
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10:56 |
BP Sign: Important Intersection … take a sharp right and go down to Lynn Creek. Near the bottom there are some steps and a very big Douglas-fir tree. In fact, it might be a Grand Fir. Admire it and move on toward more steps and the slippery boardwalk. If you want to check out Lynn Creek take the small ramp down off the boardwalk to the sandy area and have a look. |
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11:05 |
BP Sign: Twin Falls Bridge on the left. This sign is on the right and in the direction you want to go. Take a look at the creek again if you like. But go back and UP the stairs on the same side you’ve arrived. These are very nice stairs so be sure to enjoy them. |
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11:11 |
Big White Sign: Turn left to the Suspension Bridge and stay left on the boardwalk and steps. |
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11:12 |
Cross the Bridge and check out the awesome view. Be mindful of the tourists. |
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11:13 |
Continue across bridge and UP the stairs to the Lynn Canyon Café. At the right of the building are some washrooms. |
11.10 |
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12:00 |
START YOUR RETURN TRIP TO DEEP COVE … BP Sign: Arrive at Hyannis Drive |
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12:37 |
BP Sign: Arrive at top of Seymour Grind. Turn right and go down to Deep Cove |
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12:48 |
BP Sign: Arrive at Seymour Road, watch for cars again. Washrooms are here. |
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13:21 |
BP Sign: Pop out at Panorama Drive in Deep Cove. Watch for cars. Turn right. |
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13:23 |
Finish! BP Sign: You made it! Arrive back at the parking lot. |
24.20 |