Lynn Canyon-Varley+CedarMills Trails

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Photo ofLynn Canyon-Varley+CedarMills Trails

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Chatterbox

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Trail stats

Distance: 5.88 mi
Elevation gain: 367 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 367 ft
Max elevation: 971 ft
TrailRank: 69
Min elevation: 575 ft
Trail type: Loop

Time: 2 hours 3 minutes
Coordinates: 900
Uploaded: May 11, 2014
Recorded: May 2014

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near Upper Lynn, British Columbia (Canada)

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Trail photos

Itinerary description

In North Vancouver's Lynn Canyon at end of Lynn Valley and Rice Lake Roads, this hike is accessible by transit, bike, or car. Parking on summer weekends beyond 11:00 AM, can be difficult; you'll be parking along Rice Lake Road almost all the way back to Lynn Valley Road, and thus with a slightly longer approach walk.

This is an easy, mostly flat 9.5-kilometre (RT) walk along the shores of Lynn Creek in deep forest and on generally wide trails with secure footing. This walk was done by returning on the same route, but circular routes of two different lengths are possible, albeit on more tricky and steeper paths deeper in the woods. This is a very popular trail-runners route, and also a popular path for walking dogs off-leash.

This route follows the Varley Trail from the first real parking lot off Rice Lake Road, connects with the Lynn Loop Trail and then the Cedar Mills Trail. It is a 2-3 hour walk, depending on your walking speed and how much time you sit on the many beautiful benches on the way, most looking out over the wide creek.

Public restrooms are available at the start of the Lynn Loop Trail, at the end of Rice Lake Road.

Waypoints

Start

The Varley Trail entrance from the middle parking lot on Rice Lake Road is a steep staircase down to a lovely walk just above churning Lynn Creek. It has boardwalks, bridges, benches, and large nurse trunks (left over from the logging of over a century ago), and ends at the parking lot at the north east terminus of Rice Lake Road.

River

All along the trail, there are views down or across to Lynn Creek.

Bridge

Walking along and over bogs and stream-beds while keeping your feet dry...what's not to like?

Bench

The first of many on the route.

Parking Lot at BC Mills House

This is the end of Rice Lake Road and the farthest one could drive into Lynn Canyon (if you didn't sleep in). This parking lot is full by 8:30 or 9:00 on a summer weekend.

BC Mills House

BC Mills House is an old, restored house dating from the logging era in this area.

Trail Map

There is a trail map across from the BC Mills House, and hand-outs (usually) of the same map to take with you (free).

Bridge

This is the only crossing of Lynn Creek on this hike, and the river roars through the ruins of some old dam and sluiceway. A large cistern prominently displays "Danger Keep Off" warnings. In Canada this means, "skate or play hockey on me."

Trail Photo

The trail at the start is wide, flat gravel, plenty wide enough to walk 3-4 abreast. The grade follows the river and rises just 120 metres over 4 kilometres.

Log Trailer

This was presumably a machine-hauled trailer for transporting logs down the road. The mechanism does not look like anything one could attach to a horse, but it has been here a LONG time. Note the trees that have grown through the chassis.

Bench

A place to sit and watch over the creek.

Creek

The babbling sounds of the creek are ever-present.

Lynn Loop or Cedar Mills Trail

A right turn here, leading up higher on the canyon side, will turn back to the parking lot, or continue higher on the canyon side upriver. A left turn (actually straight) continues on the Cedar Mills Trail another 2 kms along the creek.

Boardwalk

Trail Narrows

The wide road trail narrows down and becomes a more traditional forest trail in this section. Watch your feet for roots and stones.

Stairs

I couldn't find a good avatar for stairs, and these are safe and welcome. Clearly someone put in a LOT of work improving this trail, and the carpentry is excellent.