South Needle (via Lynn Ridge)
This is a trail that traverses Lynn Ridge from Lynn Peak to the Hydraulic Junction and beyond to South Needle
Statistics
| Total Distance: |
22.0 km (return) |
| Estimated Time: |
10 hours |
| Average Grade: |
8.8% |
| Structure: |
Linear - Return |
|
|
Elevation Gain:
|
970 m |
| Start Elevation: |
190 m |
| Max Elevation: |
1160 m |
|
Directions
From Highway #1 (Trans-Canada Highway), head north over the Ironworkers Memorial (Second-Narrows) Bridge. Take exit #19 north, signed as Lynn Valley Road. Follow the road north for 3.5 km to Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. Park next to the main trailhead or in one of the overflow parking lots.
The 228 bus operates to the Lynn Valley Road / Langworthy Street intersection daily. It's a walk of approximately 2 km to the trailhead from the bus stop. For bus schedules and information, visit the Translink website.
Details
Excellent routefinding and bushwhacking skills are recommended on this route, which will take a full day's effort even in ideal conditions. I hope to post a complete GPS track for this route in the future.
If you enjoy unspoiled forest, this is a very rewarding hike, for the trees alone. Western hemlock, red and yellow cedar, and mountain hemlock up to five centuries old can be seen here.
Follow directions to the Lynn Peak Trail, and ascend it to the lookout at 921m. Just before the lookout you turn left and head north following a rough tape marked route riddled with bush and deadfall up and down the bumps of Lynn Ridge. (Net elevation gain is 1000m from the parking lot, but cumulative elevation gain is over 1500m )
Photographs
GPS Waypoints
| Lynn Headwaters trailhead |
N49.35979 W123.02803 |
10U 497965 5467454 |
| Lynn Creek bridge |
N49.36114 W123.02820 |
10U 497952 5467604 |
| Park entrance kiosk |
N49.36151 W123.02802 |
10U 497965 5467645 |
| Twin Bridge Trail junction |
N49.35933 W123.02466 |
10U 498209 5467402 |
| Lynn Peak Trail junction |
N49.36272 W123.02532 |
10U 498162 5467779 |
| First Lynn Peak lookout |
N49.36987 W123.02167 |
10U 498427 5468574 |
| Start of flat section |
N49.37227 W123.02153 |
10U 498437 5468841 |
| End of flat section |
N49.37577 W123.02041 |
10U 498518 5469230 |
| Second Lynn Peak lookout |
N9.37758 W123.02019 |
10P 497783 1036597 |
| Third Lynn Peak lookout |
N49.38108 W123.02124 |
10U 498458 5469820 |
| Main Lynn Peak lookout |
N49.38142 W123.01923 |
10U 498604 5469858 |