There are several different routes and distance options. The Buntzen Lake trail system is generally well marked, but it is your responsibility to print out the maps and familiarize yourself with the course you choose to run.
Start for all routes
- Start at the trailhead at the southwest corner of the main parking lot.
- Head South until you hit the floating bridge. Cross this bridge. The end of the bridge is where the groups will break off.
- There are a few separate trails between the parking lot and the bridge. Stay on the "Buntzen Lake Trail". All main intersections are well marked.
- We will all be together for this part so just follow the person in front of you!
The Extreme Punisher Run (approx. 11K loop)
General Directions:
- On the map on the link below it is # 4 Buntzen Lake Trail.
- This run follows the Buntzen Lake Trail all the way around the lake. The trail is very well marked.
- When heading from South to North (on the west side of the lake), stay on the main trail and follow the Buntzen Lake Trails signs.
- When heading from North to South (on the east side of the lake), stay on the main trail. You should always be between Powerhouse Road and the lake on this section.
Specific Directions (note: all distances are approximations):
- After the bridge, turn right onto the gravel road.
- Follow the gravel road for about 1 km until you get the very end. At the end, there are two trailheads right next to each other. They are well marked but be sure to take the one labeled "Buntzen Lake Trail". There are several trailheads on the road between the bridge and the end of the gravel road. be sure to stay on the gravel road until the end (there is also a building at the end of the road. When you get to the building you are at the correct trailhead).
- Follow the trail for about 4 kms. There are no other main trails that intersect with the Buntzen Lake Trail until you are at the north end of the lake. There are a couple of secondary trails that intersect, but stay on the main trail.
- After the 4 kms, you will hit a T-intersection. Go right (left = Lakeview trail). It is well marked.
- Suspension Bridge in 0.1 km. If you are doing the 11km, cross the bridge and turn right towards the beach on the other side. If you are doing the 25km, cross the bridge and turn left down the gravel road. If you are doing the 25 km, go to the Run in the Park Directions now.
- Pass the outhouses on your left, the beach on your right, the creepy house on the left, then the water tunnel on your right. Take the trail up to a gravel road (this is powerhouse road) and turn right.
- Immediately after turning right on the gravel road there is a trail head for the Buntzen Lake Trail. Just follow the signs.
- After approx 1.5 kms there will be a trail to the left. go straight (follow the signs)
- After another 1 km, there will be a fork. Go right (to the left will be a bridge). Keep following the Buntzen Lake Trail signs.
- In 0.1 km there is a T intersection. Go left (right = viewpoint). Keep following the BLT signs.
- After about 1 km you will be back at the south beach. Pass the dog off-leash area on the right. There is one point close to the parking lot where there is one trail left, one straight and the off leash dog area to the right. This is the only unmarked intersection. Take the middle path.
- In 0.2 kms there is a fork. Go right.
- In 0.1 km you are back at the parking lot.
- Congratulations!!! You have completed the Extreme Punishment Run!
The Whoa Nelly Run (approx. 15K)
General Directions:
- Out on the Diez Vista Trail (# 6) back on either the Buntzen lake trail (#4) or the Lakeview trail (#8)500 meters of elevation gain
- From the parking lot head south until you get to the floating bridge. When you get off the floating bridge start going up and keep going up
- There are a couple of marked intersections…. Just follow the signs
- There are many switchbacks. Be careful not to miss any of them.
The trail is well marked with orange flagging tape (no, I am not breaking the Club Fat Ass pact to not mark the trail… it was there to begin with)
- Get to the top and enjoy the many views… unless it’s cloudy… in that case, enjoy the clouds.
- Head down until you hit the road. Again keep your head up for the orange markers
- If you are heading back to the parking lot at this point, make a right on the road and then a right on the Academy Trail…. Stay on the Academy trail for about 1 km until you get to the North Beach.
- If you want to take the Buntzen Lake trail back see the Extreme Punisher course description.
- If you want to take the Lakeview trail back (which is a really deceiving name because from what I remember there are really very few views!) stay on the Academy trail and it should hit the Lakeview trail. Specific Directions:
- After the bridge, go straight up the trail. You are now on the Diez Vista Trail. Start climbing!
- In less than 100 meters, you will hit a junction. Go right. Follow the signs.
- In less than 400 meters, you will hit another junction. Veer left through the gate. Follow the signs.
- There is a series of intersections after about 2 km. At the first intersection, go straight. About 20 meters later go left, and then make an immediate right. This area is well marked; stay on the Diez Vista Trail. You are on the right track if you have to go under a pipe within about 50 meters.
- In less than 1 km you start the switchbacks to the top. There are two ways to the top.
- Way #1: The easiest way is the switchbacks. It is decently well marked. The only slightly confusing part is at the top. There is a left turn that you have to take that is slightly hidden. Luckily, if you miss it, there is a sign (10 meters later) that says “S Beach View (Loop)”. Do not pass this sign. Turn around, and from that direction it is quite easy to see the intersection. After taking the hidden left turn, you should see a “Cima Amaneces” sign in about 100 meters and a Diez Vista sign about 20 meters after that.
- Way #2: If you miss one of the switchbacks you will take the B line to the top. A bit shorter, but it is very steep. It is easy to find yourself on this route because even though it is not marked with orange flagging tape, it is very well traveled. Follow the trail right to the top. Soon you will get back to the Orange flagging tape. You will get to the “hidden left turn” from the opposite direction, so you will take that turn right. So behind you, there will be a sign that says “S Beach View (Loop)” and in front of you there will be a sign that says “Main Trail Int”. After taking the right turn, you should see a “Cima Amaneces” sign in about 100 meters and a Diez Vista sign about 20 meters after that.
- Follow the trail for a couple of kms past 2 very nice overlooks (great photo spots). About 500 meters after the second View Point, there is a fork in the trail. Go left. Just follow the orange flagging tape.
- Pass several more view points over the next couple of kilometers.
- There is a point where there is a very steep down, followed by a 100 meter flat section. At there end of the flat section you come to a T intersection that is unmarked (one of the only unmarked intersections on the trail). Go left. You should soon see some orange markers again.
- About 1 km after the T intersection, you will hit a dirt road. If you are doing the 35 km, go left (and now go to the 35km directions). If you are doing the 15 km go right (and continue reading on).
- Follow the road under the power lines and turn right onto the Old Buntzen Lake trail about 50 meters after the power lines (follow the signs)
- 500 meters after turning onto the Buntzen Lake trail, there is a junction. From here there are 3 ways back to the car.
- Way #1: Lakeview Trail: At the junction go right. This trail is a little longer with more climbing. You will add a couple of kms to the distance if you go this route. I don’t have specific directions as I have only been on this trail once. However, it is marked on the map, and I seem to remember it being well marked.
- Way #2 and 3: Buntzen Lake Trail West Side or East Side: This trail is relatively flat, but technical at some points. At the junction, go left. In 100 meters you will hit another junction. To return on the West side of the lake, go right. To return on the East side of the lake go left. The west side is a little longer and a little more technical.
- Way #2 (Buntzen Lake Trail West Side): Follow the trail for about 4 kms until you hit a dirt road. Turn right and follow the dirt road until you get to the floating bridge on your left. Head back to the parking lot the way you came.
- Way #3 (Buntzen Lake Trail East Side): Follow the Extreme Punishment Run Directions starting from “Suspension Bridge in 0.1 km”
- Congratulations!!! You have completed the Whoa Nelly Run!
The Run in the Park (25K)
- Take the Buntzen Lake Trail to the North Suspension Bridge (see Extreme Punisher run for description to this point.
- After the Suspension Bridge, turn left on the dirt road (11 km runners will be going right)
- Head North up the Road. Shortcut Option: You can take the Swan Falls Junction trail up. The Swan Falls Junction Trailhead will be about 200 meters up the dirt road. I have never done this trail, but I'm told it is very steep (including parts with ropes to hang on to). There are no other junctions on the map, and I assume it is well marked. Take the shortcut at your own risk!
- If you are going to do the full 25km, head north on the road past the Swan Falls Trail junction. Continue North on the road. There should be two forks. The first is about 500 meters past the Swan Falls Trail Junction. Stay left here. The second is about 300 meters later. Go right here (if you cross over a giant pipe, you have gone too far). Head north on the road for about 2 km until you get to the Dilly Daly Trail head (it is well marked on the road). The trail is again marked with Orange flagging tape.
- Go up. Way up. Just because it feels like you have been heading up for ages don’t think you are lost. It will take most people over two hours of climbing to get to the top. In fact, you are more likely to be off the trail if you are not climbing. Follow the orange flagging tape.
- Before you get to the very top, there is a junction that is not very well marked (at least it wasn't well marked last time I did the trail). You must go right here. If you miss this turnoff, the trail will level out and you will eventually get to a boulder field. If you hit the boulder field you have gone to far. Turn around and go back. Like most junctions, it is impossible to find in one direction and obvious in the other direction. Keep a lookout for the junction.
- Once you get to the top continue following the orange flagging tape.
- You will pass the Swan Falls Junction. Go straight here.
- Continue on the trail for several kms. There are no trail junctions until you get to the lakes.
- Take whatever route you would like around the lakes. Every time I do this part I take a different route. They are all quite nice, and they will all lead back to the main trail.
- After the lakes, you will pass a junction that will take you to Coquitlam Lake. Keep going straight.
- Keep following the trail down, down, down. You will hit a T intersection at the bottom… go left.
- Continue for about 1 km until you get to a bridge… cross the bridge
- Continue for about 1 km until you get to the road… turn left at the Road towards the yellow gate
- Turn right after the gate into the parking lot where your car is.
- Congratulations!!! You have completed the Run in the Park.
The Fluffy Bunny Trail Run (32-35K)
- Take the Whoa Nelly Direction until you hit the dirt road at the north end. Go left here.
- Pass 2 junctions on the road to the left, pass over a giant pipe, take the next road left.
- Follow the Run in the Park directions starting from "Head north on the road for about 2 km until you get to the Dilly Daly Trail head (it is well marked on the road). The trail is again marked with Orange flagging tape."
- Congratulations!!! You have completed the Fluffy Bunny Trail Run.
Helpful Links
|
