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Burnaby, BC
Canada
248 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 10:37 PM
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Oct 3/09
I'd wanted to explore the Hydraulic Creek trail off the LSCR for some time, and after seeing the recent updates here about the greatly improved trail conditions, we decided it would be a good way to stay below snowline on Saturday.
We parked at the "mailbox" lot outside the Lynn Headwaters gate, and after a quick crossover past the LSCR lot, were down to the Fisherman's trail for the scenic route up the Seymour River to avoid walking 5km of pavement. Some perks of this longer route:
  
From near the Spur 4 Bridge, we took the Hydraulic Connector past the Butterfly Garden and back up to the recreation pathway, where the real trailhead is marked discreetly by yellow squares in the woods just next to the north end of the Hydraulic Creek bridge.
A short distance up, a well-marked junction contains a ziplock bag with some details on the trail:
 
(hopefully these will be clear enough that everyone can read the text!)
Past the creek crossing higher up, the trail breaks into beautiful old forest:
After making good time to the ridge (2 hours with lunch from the valley) and weighing our times against the detailed map from the bottom, we decided we had time to check out the South Needle itself and still make it to the Lynn Peak expressway before dark.
The great trail continued through nice forest, with the first views to Crown Mountain on the other side of the ridge:
 
We reached the final accent to the Needle, when all of a sudden, a view appeared behind us...
Somewhere in my research of the trail conditions, I'd missed the fact that there was a great view to be had from the South Needle!!  
After a short almost-scramble over a tricky needle-covered rock or two, we were at the top:
  
  
1. Meslilloet Mtn in the distance with the fresh powder that we passed up
2. Mt Seymour & Runner Peak
3. Crown Mtn & The Camel
The panorama of looking down to the valley of both the Seymour River (below left) and Lynn Creek (below right) at the same time was amazing!
  
(this covers almost 180 degrees on both side)
A couple more select shots:
 Mt Elsay & Mt Seymour above the Seymour River
 Hanes Valley curving off the back of Lynn Creek
 Don't look down the sides!
 Cute fly 
 Octopus 
After soaking in the views, it was back into the forest for a couple of hours over the numerous bumps on the way past the Hydraulic Creek junction, and south to Lynn Peak. And finally, a view from the Lynn Peak viewpoint on the way home:
All in all, this was a great loop trail, with a pleasant surprise of the great views from the South Needle. Thanks to those that have helped to upgrade this trail in recent years!
-Steve |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1133 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 10:40 PM
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I can honestly say I've never seen a picture of a fly like that before....jeff goldblum has nothing on it whatsoever....
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
248 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2009 : 10:48 PM
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| Looks like a type of Tachinid Fly based on the pictures I found in my book - never seen one like it before either! |
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 Fast hikin, carrot chompin, always grinnin, gear scatterin recipient of the Theta Lake manouver
Burnaby
2047 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 06:59 AM
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Good idea for a loop. Amazing trail instructions.  |
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
116 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 2:06 PM
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| great report, i never knew that a trail up there existed...i go past that point fairly frequently! |
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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
13090 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 4:15 PM
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| IMO, this is one of BC's best trails for forest views, regardless of the weather |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
310 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 4:50 PM
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You must have been the two hikers heading up from Hydraulic Creek as we were coming down. wayne170747 and I did the South Needle loop clockwise on Saturday. We also appreciated the detailed route description and the good trail condition.
That fly photo is incredible. What model of camera are you using? |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
248 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 5:53 PM
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Hi hb - yup, that must have been us that you passed, as you were the only 2 people we saw all day apart from down in the valley. We even reached Lynn Peak late enough that the trail was empty on the way down... not bad for a North Shore hike!
I've done 3 of the major "unmarked" trails now that climb out of the LSCR - just the Vicar/Bishop one left to try (unless there's more !)
BTW: I'm using a Canon S5-IS camera - the "super macro" mode is great as the fly picture is taken from only about an inch away, and of course there's the flip & twist screen to make it easy to position the camera at such close range.
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4663 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 6:03 PM
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Nice trip ! That fly is freaky for sure  |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
959 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 6:19 PM
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| WOAH, that fly shot is pretty impressive! |
Edited by - Spectrum on 10/06/2009 6:20 PM |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
310 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2009 : 4:48 PM
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quote:
I'm using a Canon S5-IS camera
I'm amazed the fly photo wasn't taken with an SLR. Astounding. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13598 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2009 : 9:17 PM
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Thanks for posting. Looks like a fine route to gain good views .
K |
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Vancouver, bc
Canada
1032 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2009 : 01:16 AM
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| Did the South Needle the next day biking to the Hydraulic Creek, not a human bean in sight. I was repeating myself ad nauseum that this hike so close to home doesn't draw more hikers. Next time I'll visit the Big Tree side trail mentioned in the zip lock bag and maybe venture to the next Needle. Great pics!! |
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South Needle loop via Hydraulic Creek & Lynn Peak
