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Vancouver, BC
Canada
241 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2004 : 7:39 PM
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This is a quick report from a trip organized by Scrambler. I am sure that others will add more pics and comments to this.
We met at 8am at the pagoda.
Participants, from left to right, included: Too Many Canyons, Jimbo, Scrambler, WillyZ, and Shadee. After beating pavment for about 5km we got to Hydraulic Creek. The trail along the creek was well marked and surprisingly not too wet. Half way up the ridge we stopped for a snack
then scrambled over slick logs
  
and finally reached the Lynn Peak - Coloseum Mtn trail.
  
The ridge leading towards Lynn Peak was truly beautifull
 
After a brief detour to the top of Lynn Peak it was lunch time with panoramic views!
  
At the lookout we met Tigerlily, who hiked up from the south and was waiting for us.
A decent from the lookout was quick but a bit wet. We got back to the pagoda around 3pm
Scrambler, again big thanks for putting this hike together. I truly enjoyed it! |
Edited by - willyz on 10/31/2004 5:38 PM
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 Buntzen roving stealthy beer mule and artist, aspiring weird image findmaster who loves BC
lower mainland
Canada
1647 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2004 : 8:55 PM
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Thanks for the TR. I was sorry I missed this, had boots waterproofed and lunch made last night! Looks like a great day was had |
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 Herbal tea drinkin, tree huggin, view seeking, tortoise paced, ultralite wannabe
Vancouver, BC
Canada
2770 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 10:40 AM
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Oct 30, 2004: Hydraulic Creek-Lynn Peak loop.
The objective of this hike was to hike from the Lower Seymour Conservation Road parking lot to Hydraulic creek at Km 6, head west up the trail along the creek to Lynn Ridge, hike the ridge south to Lynn peak and head down from Lynn peak to the Lynn headwaters loop trail and take the spur from beginning of that back to the LSCR parking lot.
Signed up for the hike were Too Many Canyons, tigerlily, willyz, Shadee, Jimbo and myself, Scrambler. We agreed to meet at the pagoda at the start of the LSCR at 8 am. In fact, we all recognized each other in the parking lot but headed over to the pagoda once we had geared up to wait for tigerlily. By 8:15 she hadn't shown and Jimbo went back to the parking lot to see if she was there and still no sign of her so we took off down the road, assuming she was a no-show for whatever reasons.
I've been hiking down this road any number of times and find it to be pretty boring in the beginning but the company was excellent with good conversation so the road just kind of went by and soon enough, we were at Hydraulic creek. One thing I like about this kind of start is with these early morning hikes, my body is never quite ready to get going and just when the hike gets interesting, it's time to attend to bodily functions on the trail. On the LSCR, there are these wonderfully clean and maintained outhouses that no rowdy teens or other vandals have thought to use for firewood and there is one right at the creek. Ahhh. bliss. So after availing ourselves of the facility, we started up the trail on the north side of the creek. It actually looked like we were going to get sunny breaks now and then instead of the rain originally forecasted early in the week so we were all pretty hopeful.
As it turned out, it was a near perfect day for a vigorous hike like this one. The trail along the creek is well flagged and we followed it up steadily for about an hour and took a break at what I like to call "the flat spot", which is at about 700M elevation and about 10 minutes before you cross the creek to the south side. It's the first real flat section after the start of the trail. The creek was really roaring with fairly high volume of water and the falls were quite nice. Willyz, TMC and Jimbo were the trip photographers so they'll post shots of our exploits. I know Jimbo took at least one shot of the falls. Every now and then splendours of sunlight would come through the trees and illuminate the morning mist. It was quite beautiful. After our morning snack break at the flat spot, we headed up and crossed the creek. If I remember correctly, this is where willyz pulled out his hiking mix and shared some dates with us. This was turning out to be quite a nice group of people and the spirits were high  This section, from the creek crossing to the ridge is my favourite part of the trail as it's a bit more open than the lower section and has a good deal of old growth fir and cedar. There are a couple of old growth trees in the lower section but they are scattered. Up in this section, it is basically an old growth forest until just before the ridge. With the sun streaming through the trees and the clear skies, things were really looking up for a great hiking day. We got to the "poetry tree" and then the "culturally modified" tree without any mishaps and made our way steadily up to the ridge.
We arrived at the ridge junction at about 11:15, which was excellent timing for that section. It usually takes me about 3 hours so we were right on the money. The junction is at 905 M so from the parking lot to the junction you have gained 710 M. We took another short break at the junction and Shadee shared some gummy bears with us . We decided to shoot for the normal view point on Lynn peak for our lunch and I was hoping to be there by 1:30. So far, all the trail we had traveled was old hat for me but this next section was going to be new for most of us. It turned out that TMC had come from Lynn Peak to this section years back but didn't remember too much about it plus he had done it on snowshoes so that was not going to be very helpful.
To start off the hike, at the pagoda I had reminded everyone that I had not been on this section and that from the Hydraulic creek trail to Lynn peak, I wanted us to stay within shouting distance so that noone got lost. I reminded everyone of this as we headed out for Lynn peak. There was a brief consideration as to whether we should bag S. Needle since the weather was way better than we had expected but that would have added almost 1.5-2 hours to the hike so we nixed that and were on our way. The trail is in pretty good shape, disappearing now and then in the scrub growth but is well flagged and we had no real problems following it. Every now and again I would wander off and someone would point out the correct way. Since it had been raining the past few days, the shrubbery was all quite damp and we got pretty soaked pushing through it. Next time I go up there, I'll bring my clippers and spend some time clearing out some of this underbrush. I kept hoping for a view off the ridge but there really aren't any if you stay to trail and since we were all new to this region, I kept us pretty tight to the trail. It goes along pretty nicely up and down the ridge. From the junction we hit a high point of 1015 M by my altimeter which gained us another 110 M for a running total of 820. Then the trail starts dropping gradually and at one point heads down pretty steeply to a saddle with a low of 884 M. From there it started to climb again and in the last section it climbs to the little turn off for the "real" Lynn peak summit. As I had never been there, we all hiked up that little 5 minute section. At this point the elevation is 1000 M which gave us another 116 M to add to the total. That made for a running total of 936 M and give some of the ups and downs we did, I would give it a total elevation gain for the trip of 950 M. The last section coming off the ridge and up to the real summit of Lynn peak is the worst part of the trail. This slope is not overly steep but has several large blowdowns which have to be negotiated. A little work in here with a couple of saws would really go a long way to making the trail more user friendly. From here it's only another 15 minutes or so to the Lynn peak view point so we headed down and over to it. We reached the viewpoint at a little after 1:00, a good half hour sooner than I had predicted   I was pretty pumped and ecstatic.
Well, just as I was coming on to the view point, a short attractive young asian woman who was sitting there stood up and looked at me and I knew that this had to be tigerlily. Sure enough, it was. We introduced her around, and got her story while we ate lunch and shared the various goodies that people had brought with them. Especial thanx to Shadee for those super yummy shortbreads with chocolate inside and to willyz for the rum spiked coffee. It went very nicely with the various sweets we had. Turns out that tigerlily had arrived at the parking lot right after us and even noticed us but realized that she had left her boots at home so got back in the car and went home to get them. Since we hadn't seen her, we didn't know to wait. She headed up the road to try to catch us but only went to Km 3 before turning around. At the pace we were walking on the road, she wouldn't have been able to catch us anyway. Since she didn't know where the actual trail started, she ended up walking around Rice lake and then heading up to Lynn peak to wait for us. She had been at the lookout for about an hour, she told me. Well, better late than never, I always say. It was a pleasure getting to know her and to include her for our downhill part of the hike and by the time we got back to the pagoda, it seemed like she had been a part of the group right from the beginning. While we were hanging around the pagoda at the LSCR area, who should show up on their bikes but NS Explorer and Mick Range. Mick said he would of passed on by but he recognized my hat  They congratulated us on our success and we all just hung out and chatted for a bit. Then they took off, and everyone spent a few more minutes just congratulating each other. It felt like people really just wanted to hang out with each other. We had arrived back at the pagoda at somewhere's between 2:45 and 3:00 which meant the entire hike took about 6 hours and 45 minutes. So the projection of 7 hours was a pretty good one.
By my rough calculations using maps and rulers and the Lynn Peak Park map, I figure the distance we traveled was 6 K up the road, 2 K to the ridge junction, 1.5 K to the summit of Lynn, 1K to the lookout and 4.5 K back to the pagoda for a total of 15 Kms. Since some of it is through pretty steep country and rough trail, our pace was a good average pace. I'm sure folks in prime shape or trail runners could do this a lot faster but I was going at my normal pace for the entire time so if you're planning on doing this route anytime, in the future, I'd start with our time as a good estimate of how much time you'll need.
I'll just end the report by saying that I really enjoyed meeting several new CT folks, willyz, TMC and tigerlily. Together with Jimbo and Shadee, I really enjoyed hiking with you all and had a great time. It turned out that TMC and willyz were both geologists of one sort or another and had a lot to talk about, especially concerning diamonds and the DeBeers family. I only overheard snippets of their conversation but it sounds like they were really getting into it  I look forward to adventures with you all again in the near future. Look for pics from willyz, jimbo and TMC, when he gets his film developed. And I'm sure they all have their own experiences to share about how the hike was for them.
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HikeOn,
Rich
Only 2 things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former-Einstein |
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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
10983 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 1:42 PM
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| Great to meet everyone yesterday,and put some names to faces I've not met.Sure sounds like you all enjoyed the day |
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 adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3812 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 5:06 PM
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Excellent TR Rich, and great pix Willy! Nice to get out with you and Shadee again - and to meet Willyz, TMC, and Tigerlily. Can't add too much to the commentary, so I'll add a few pics of my own.
 
Our meeting place - KM 0 of the road
Arriving at Hydraulic Creek - 1 hr into our journey
 
The Hydraulic Creek Picnic area
 
ONward and UPward
  
  
 
  
Break time - at the "flat spot"
  
Tons of mushies EVERYWHERE!
 
Crossing Hydraulic Creek
 
The "poetry tree"
  
 
Our arrival on Lynn Ridge
  
  
Along the ridge we go...
 
  
Lynn Peak
  
 
Lunch at Lynn Peak.
Rich always seems to have food in his mouth in the pictures!
Sponge Bob tagged along on this trip too!
Completion of the loop...
 
We were pleasantly surprised to have Mick (Range) and his friend Doug (NS Explorer) stop in for a visit!
Thanks for organizing an excellent hike, Rich!
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Who's yer Gnome!! |
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Simpson quoting tree hunter and canyon rapping rockhound who longs for the return of his trapped Toyota
Somewhere deep and narrow, BC
Canada
2206 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 5:28 PM
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I don't think I could add anything to those TR's either, other than a comment on what a great trip it was. It was fantastic to meet all of you and special thanks to Rich for organizing such a wonderful hike. I didn't get a lot of photos, and there may be a, umm, delay on them due to my antiquated film camera. The pix by willyz and Jimbo look great and are going the distance in convincing me to finally enter the digital era!
Rich, that one photo is a truly spectacular display of eating fortitude!
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See the light ram through the gaps in the land-Kate Bush |
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Herbal tea drinkin, tree huggin, view seeking, tortoise paced, ultralite wannabe
Vancouver, BC
Canada
2770 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 6:01 PM
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Wow, great photos everyone I can't wait to see what TMC has in his camera. I'll bet there's a couple of real gems there too. I had such a great time with you all and it really made a great end to the summer hiking season to finally complete that last section of the Lynn Ridge. The only piece I have yet to do is the section from South Needle to Norvan pass and I guess that will have to wait until the snow goes away.
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HikeOn,
Rich
Only 2 things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former-Einstein |
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Grouse Grinding, GPS carrying, lawn chair packing, bike riding North Shore tech addict who stares at Crown Mountain from his office window all day
North Vancouver
Canada
1854 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 7:06 PM
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Great pics and report! I'll have to check out this hike one time. Those outhouses at the picnic areas are sure nice though aren't they!
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double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
Vancouver, BC
Canada
4385 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 7:24 PM
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nice pictures and reports all!
So, just past the 5km mark, at the Hydraulic Creek junction, a hiker has choices - a killer hike up, or a run down to Suicide
Or, of course, proceed to Seymour Lake Dam, 6km further away
All joking aside, it never ceases to surprise me how empty this park is, despite its proximity to the city.
Only a mile or two away, the parking lots of Lynn Headwaters or (worse still) Lynn Canyon are perpetually full, with people walking six abreast on the lower trails. Whereas the trails and roads of Seymour Demo Forest (or LSCR as it is now called) are usually quiet with very few people around.
Cheers - C Wall |
Edited by - seawallrunner on 10/31/2004 7:31 PM |
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crazy hat wearin', swiffer totin', camp tidyin', devil's staircase trippin', heavy load carryin', cliff divin' artiste!
New Westminster, B.C.
1485 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 8:32 PM
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Looks like a great hike and weather to boot! Great report and pictures everyone.
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A little grunt, a little grind, a little hike to clear the mind. |
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Manitoba's misadventurin' bushwhackin', dog sloggin', dehydratin', beer drinkin' biggie - who's eager to peak bag Mt Currie in a dress
Squamish
4688 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 8:50 PM
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Nice one. I'll have to venture up there sometime, it looks like a great hike.
Ya, that SpongeBob dude followed me around a couple weeks ago at High Falls too....... gotta keep an eye on that one, I think he was out to take my last pepperoni! Good thing Shadee had some gummy bears to pacify him.
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North Vancouver
Canada
523 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 10:52 PM
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Now that is detailed reporting! Great pics. It was great running into you guys on Saturday.
Doug |
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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
10983 Posts |
Posted - 10/31/2004 : 11:58 PM
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Good one Jimbo,I was wondering where I'd seen the photo beforeThe Lynn Peak Lurkers Club has expanded considerably,hasn't it? |
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7142 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2004 : 08:19 AM
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Im glad we didnt attempt suicide
what a great day out, with a wonderful group of people, and fantastic weather to boot!
With the forecast for rain I was panicking before leaving because I couldnt find my rainjacket, I think from now on I will always carry it, and ensure that one person in the group starts out wearing theirs (or I will myself) since it really seems this holds off the rain! Thanks to Jimbo for having his on, soon enough the clouds were cleared and we had blue sky
Thankyou Scrambler, for doing such a great job organising this hike and leading us on the trail. Your breaks were most timely, and I truly enjoyed the company of everyone. Fantastic photos, looking forward to seeing the ones to follow.
Yeah that spongebob, he insists on coming with me, you wouldnt beleive the whining if I leave him at home.
I can hardly wait to get out hiking with you all again
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
64 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2004 : 10:24 AM
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Great TR!! Couldn't get any more detailed than that! And great pictures, too!
It was really nice to meet everyone! I really am sorry that I wasn't able to make it on time to join you guys for the fun part of the hike. There's really no excuse for that. I'm still glad though that I get at least to hike down with you. I hope I'll get to hike with you again.
Thanks Rich for organizing it! |
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7142 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2004 : 11:00 AM
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Hey Tigerlily, Im glad you waited up for us!
Was nice to meet you, and I'll be sure to catch up with you again on another hike soon
btw, that picture of you Rich, with all the food in your mouth, can I nominate that one for the "men of ct calendar"? Thats a great picture |
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adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3812 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2004 : 5:22 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by mick range
The Lynn Peak Lurkers Club has expanded considerably,hasn't it?
It HAS, Mick!!!
Seeing as Rich has issues with being called a "lurker" , we tossed around the idea that once you've been to the top of Lynn Peak and actually SEEN the view, you can be referred to as a "Lynn Peak LOOKER". Whadaya think? Everyone will be "scrambling" to get in the club!
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Who's yer Gnome!! |
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Herbal tea drinkin, tree huggin, view seeking, tortoise paced, ultralite wannabe
Vancouver, BC
Canada
2770 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2004 : 5:32 PM
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| This site can be too much fun some times. How about if you've seen the view, you get to be called a Lynn Peeker and don't anyone go and start misspelling that one |
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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
10983 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2004 : 5:55 PM
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| Right,looker,not lurker,gotcha. |
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 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2004 : 6:05 PM
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| Don't you have to be a looker to be a looker, whereas anyone can peek no matter what their looks are like. |
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double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
Vancouver, BC
Canada
4385 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2004 : 7:17 PM
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*every* member of CT is a looker.
Didn't you notice yet?
We're the baddest, best-lookingest hiking club on the net!
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Hydraulic Creek-Lynn Peak loop - Oct 30
