Cypress Falls

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Two nice waterfalls, a granite slot canyon, and old growth trees are featured in this West Van park.

Statistics

Total Distance: 6.0 km (return)
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Average Grade: 4.3%
Structure: Linear - Return
Elevation Gain: 130 m
Start Elevation: 170 m
Max Elevation: 300 m

Directions

1) To reach the trail head take the road to Cypress Provincial Park. Drive just past the municipal works yard towards the first hairpin turn. Pull in here by the big yellow gate. It’s best to park off to the side if you can.

or 2) Take exit #4 off Upper Levels, go right at T-junction then left at fork, then next right, to reach Cypress Falls Park parking lot, tennis courts and bouldering area. Walk through old gravel pit and up trail 5 minutes to lower falls.

Details

From here head up the road to your right for a rather boring walk to the power lines at the top of the hill. There is a small sign just to your left (west) that takes you down to a narrow trail. There is a fence and gate about 20m in, then the trail widens up after that and heads down into the forest. In about 10- 15 minutes you will come to a fork. To the right will take you down a slope to Cypress Creek and a small canyon. The left trail takes you down to a wooden bridge at which point you should be able to hear the falls. There is a fenced off view point at the top for you to look down ,but may advise is to head down the trail a bit farther then swing down thru the bush . There you will find a side trail that will take you to a better view. If you have the kids with you one word of caution. Dont let them take the trail on the east side of the bridge. This trail is very narrow and comes out on the far side of the falls. The rocks here are moss covered and one slip here could be deadly.

There are also a number of small trails that lend themselves well for the kids to do plenty of exploring, or if it is one of those rainy days great for some moody photos of the forest.You will also see a few of the last 400 year old trees the escaped the logging in the early days of Vancouver.

Photographs

GPS Waypoints

Main trailhead N49.35206 W123.24082 10U 482510 5466622
Lower falls viewpoint N49.35428 W123.23902 10U 482642 5466868
Bridge (main junction) N49.35479 W123.23900 10U 482643 5466925
Old growth forest N49.35520 W123.23744 10U 482757 5466970
Chain link gate on east trail N49.35612 W123.23544 10U 482902 5467072
East trail ends at road N49.35591 W123.23454 10U 482968 5467048
Chain link gate on west trail N49.35800 W123.23521 10U 482920 5467281
Upper falls viewpoint N49.35898 W123.23459 10U 482965 5467390
West trail ends at road N49.36005 W123.23529 10U 482915 5467509