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Vancouver, BC
Canada
602 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2012 : 02:17 AM
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(Ongoing saga about love/hate relationship with North Shore Mountains)
 
The idea was to replicate this http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=39613&SearchTerms=hydraulic. (btw Ryan your TRs are wealth of good info & I want to thank you).
Worst part of the day was possibly 3.5 km walk on LSCR paved bike path (1st time I was there without the bike) from Rice Lake to 5.5km crossing of Hydraulic Creek. Turnoff is easy to find; flagged, right after the bridge on left (west) side. I was very impressed with Hydraulic Trail. It is extremely well flagged (better than trail to Patton Lookout), good footbed (maintained) and not much deadfall. It is still steep though; took me about 1.5 hr to Lynn Ridge and 3-way fork.
  
1. Somebody called Doug lost eyeglasses between 600 and 800 altitude. Sorry Doug, didn't see them
2. Typical forest. Hydraulic Creek right
3. Poetry Tree at ~800 altitude
Turned right (north) and followed trail to South Needle. Wasn't sure what to expect; took 45 minutes (longer than expected), with some easy scrambling near the top, with odd snow patch here and there that was not a problem. Summit views quite good; spent about 1/2 hour enjoying late lunch.
     
1, 2: View south showing spine of Lynn Ridge
3. Seymour group across the street
4. Bishop
5. Summit Cairn with views north-east
6. Is this Meslilloet?
It was 6 pm when I got down to Hydraulic Junction, 3 hrs left to gate closure (9 pm early June). I hesitated. I knew I needed about 2:30 if I go back same way, but I love loop hikes. Wasn't sure if I had enough time, as I never hiked Lynn Ridge before. At the end the sign on tree said "3 1/2 - 4 hrs to Lynn Headwaters" for both directions. That reassured me I'd be ok. Occasional snowdrifts, and bit of ups and downs, but otherwise fairly easy. Good flagging throughout. Took long break at Lynn Peak viewpoint. Haven't seen anyone whole day since I left LSCR. Was back at the car at 8:30.
As for "love/hate" relationship --- who in his sane mind would do over 1000 cumulative vertical hoping over rocks and roots with basically single viewpoint whole day? But part of me now perversely enjoys it; maybe it is sense of accomplishment on unofficial, rough trails.
I recommend this hike; loop works much better even with paved road walk. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
248 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2012 : 8:33 PM
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Yes, I love the view from the South Needle - feels like you're looking out over the front of a very long boat with Lynn Peak centered between the two valleys.
PS: you can take the Fisherman's Trail along near the river if you want to avoid the pavement - there's a connecting trail that drops downhill off the Circuit 8 Trail if you still want to include Rice Lake.
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Van, BC
Canada
2781 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2012 : 8:43 PM
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Nice trip :)
-Ryan
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
602 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2012 : 10:35 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by sansell
Yes, I love the view from the South Needle - feels like you're looking out over the front of a very long boat with Lynn Peak centered between the two valleys.
This is exactly what I thought!
I think ultimate experience of the area would be up Norvan Pass via Patton Lookout, then Needle Traverse & hike down via Hydraulic Creek. But this is considerably more serious trip, mostly due to North Needle ascent. There is good TR on CT I studied to some extent today http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6931 |
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Vancouver
1808 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2012 : 11:40 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by zeljkok
6. Is this Meslilloet?
I'm pretty sure it is. Interesting trip idea. |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13030 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2012 : 5:56 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by zeljkok
quote:
Originally posted by sansell
Yes, I love the view from the South Needle - feels like you're looking out over the front of a very long boat with Lynn Peak centered between the two valleys.
This is exactly what I thought!
I think ultimate experience of the area would be up Norvan Pass via Patton Lookout, then Needle Traverse & hike down via Hydraulic Creek. But this is considerably more serious trip, mostly due to North Needle ascent. There is good TR on CT I studied to some extent today http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6931
The tough part is the first thrash from Norvan Pass to North Needle, vertical bush, great memories. Glad folks are still reading the TR. North to south is better, because if you do it the other way around the tendency is to end up in the bowl west of NN, thus not completing the traverse. God help me, I've even been thinking of doing it again someday |
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Hydraulic Loop
