Description
Start the plot by indicating the starting point. If you know the exact car parking situation, please explain how to park.
If we can access the starting point with public transports, please explain the lines to use and share any useful informations.
(S) From here, describe the instructions to follow from the starting point.
Add waypoints by clicking on the map.
The plot has to end by the location where the walk finishes. If it is a loop please write (S/E) at the end of the description. If it is a one way route write (E).
Waypoints
- S : km 0 - alt. 122 m
- 1 : km 0.08 - alt. 119 m - From start line parking lot, go past the gate and follow the wide trail under the highway.
- 2 : km 0.29 - alt. 114 m - Go past the water towers and keep straight (don’t go left and over the wide bridge).
- 3 : km 0.97 - alt. 234 m - Junction with TCT - Stay left on the Whyte Lake Trail
- 4 : km 1.21 - alt. 235 m - This trail crosses Nelson Creek over a footbridge.
- 5 : km 2.3 - alt. 283 m - When you get to a very obvious fork in the trail, stay left & follow this until it meets the Baden-Powell (about 2 min down and around the corner).
- 6 : km 2.36 - alt. 280 m - Stay right.
- 7 : km 2.48 - alt. 267 m - Turn right onto Baden Powell Trail
- 8 : km 3.02 - alt. 309 m - This section of the course is within forest and parts are quite rocky, but easy to navigate since it is uphill.
- 9 : km 3.59 - alt. 391 m - At the top of this hill, the trail takes a sharp right and heads into a well canopied section of forest, with a soft bark mulch forest floor and a few stream crossings and then climbs steadily into Cypress Park itself, where the real climbing and the really technical part of the trail starts.
- 10 : km 4.76 - alt. 614 m - Keep right on Baden Powell Trail (do not turn left onto Donut Rock trail!)
- 11 : km 5.41 - alt. 696 m - You emerge from the forest onto the first scree slope. This is an open area of large rocks and boulders separated by sections of very steep switchback trail. Most of the scree slopes have a more or less easy way built across them, but it is sometimes difficult to find and often no faster than just clambering over the rocks. Some scree slopes are made of very large boulders so that climbing this section is quite technical. You may be looking for hand holds to help you (although it is not rock climbing per se).
- 12 : km 6.26 - alt. 1,055 m - The switchback trail sections are very steep. Do not lean to the side along here … it is a long way down. In numerous places the trail comes to rocks or trees growing around rocks where the step up in the trail is 2 feet or more. Here you will be looking for toe holds in the rocks to step up and will likely be using the trees for hand holds to help pull you up. On the way up there are absolutely spectacular views back over the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands. Don’t get your camera out too soon, though, the higher you go, the better the view. There are a couple of bluffs on the way up where you get good views, but on the last one (Eagle Bluff – Elev 3,550 ft) you get an incredible sweeping view where you can see all the way from Mount Garibaldi in the north (near Whistler) out over the Sunshine Coast and the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island and the entire Strait of Georgia, the Olympic Mountains in Washington state, downtown Vancouver’s skyline and finally Mount Baker with its classic volcano shape on the eastern skyline. If you brought a camera, this is the spot to stop for a moment or two. Eagle Bluff is definitely the top of the climb from a psychological standpoint.
- 13 : km 6.68 - alt. 1,107 m - After Eagle Bluff, the trail enters high country evergreen forest, with a soft forest floor, winding around a number of pretty alpine lakes. This part of the trail is somewhat rolling, although there is in fact still a net elevation gain of 450 ft to the Black Mountain peak.
- 14 : km 7.85 - alt. 1,160 m - Turn sharp left onto Baden Powell Trail (easy to miss this turn in the winter!)
- 15 : km 8.15 - alt. 1,210 m - Black Mountain Minor Aid Station (8.2 km, 5.1 miles).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 16 : km 8.35 - alt. 1,189 m - Veer right from Cabin lake and follow the signs to the groomed trail that will take you all the way down to the first major aid stations at Cypress.
- 17 : km 8.42 - alt. 1,184 m - Turn sharp left and keep on the Baden Powell Trail
- 18 : km 8.91 - alt. 1,122 m - You will run close to the ski runs but won’t have to run on them as in the past. There is often a lot of mud in this high country part of the trail, and the winter snowpack can persist in sections on race day, depending on the weather.
- 19 : km 9.92 - alt. 921 m - Turn slight right - Still Baden Powell but also shared with the Yew Lake Trail
- 20 : km 9.99 - alt. 920 m - When you emerge from the forest you can see the ski tow facility and day lodge. Course flagging and marshals will guide you in from here.
- 21 : km 10.45 - alt. 918 m - Cypress Major Aid Station (12.0 km, 7.5 miles, 3h cutoff).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 22 : km 10.58 - alt. 934 m - upon leaving the aid station, you enter the forest and immediately embark upon about a mile and a half of mostly uphill climb gaining 500 ft in elevation. This section has quite a bit of up and down, is deep within forest and is very technical due to the amount of roots. The roots in this section are intertwined and interlaced and for the most part are 1 inch or so wide. They can be very tricky and if it is wet they can be very slippery. In fact anywhere you are stepping on wood can be tricky if it is wet.
- 23 : km 12.52 - alt. 1,072 m - Junction with the trail up to Hollyburn Mountain (Elev 3,500). The right turn is a right turn. The trail to the left is a valid trail and has the normal orange trail markers, however, on race day the course will be marked with surveyors tape. The next stretch winds over the cross-country ski trails. It is a portion of the course where you can really motor. The course is not overly technical, the downhill is gentle and the trail surface a pleasure to run on.
- 24 : km 14.47 - alt. 948 m - Turn right (leaving the ski run and Baden Powell trail) towards First Lake.
- 25 : km 14.72 - alt. 936 m - Hollyburn Lodge Minor Aid Station (16.4 km, 10.2 miles).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 26 : km 16.24 - alt. 809 m - If Kamikaze is your middle name then you will love the Hollyburn Chute. It is about 1 to 1.5 miles of rocky and very steep skid road trail. To run fast on this stretch you have to do the Ultra downhill toe dance. Even so, it can be tricky because some stretches are very fast and runnable, immediately followed by very technical spots which can have you constantly changing gears. There is one very large downed tree about half way down Elev 2,250 ft). You have about 5 feet clearance under it, so be sure to duck.
- 27 : km 18.13 - alt. 536 m - Just after crossing under a power line, the trail takes off to the left into the forest. This intersection is very easy to miss in training, but on race day will have a marshall and will be well marked that you would have to be blind to miss it.
- 28 : km 18.35 - alt. 510 m - Descend steeply to Brothers Creek (Elev 1,650 ft) which is crossed on a wooden bridge. If you have a camera, get it out now, since the falls are spectacular and breathtaking.
- 29 : km 19.24 - alt. 453 m - After a short steep climb back up from Brothers Creek, you enter one of my favourite sections of the course. The trail passes through about a mile of gentle descent of very soft forest trails under a thick forest canopy. It is always fairly dark through here, but the trail is nice. You still have to keep your wits though, since it is easy to take a tumble when the trail is deceptively easy. This stretch is interrupted by one section of rocky fire road about 200 yards long.
- 30 : km 20.01 - alt. 340 m - You emerge from the forest (Elev 1,200 ft) at the top of the British Properties (an area of quite well-to-do homes). There are spectacular city views up here. You then descend for about a mile along very steep trail (with a number of sections with steps). There are about four road crossings through this residential area. Please look both ways. Most people have no idea a race is happening. On race day there will be marshalls at most of these crossings.
- 31 : km 21.2 - alt. 196 m - When you re-enter the forest, you are approaching the Capilano Canyon. This stretch also has a soft floor of evergreen needles, but there is a very steep stretch which due to high usage (close to civilization) has deteriorated so that much of the trail is loose dirt and it can be very easy to slide on.
- 32 : km 21.51 - alt. 183 m - The final stretch down to the dam is on watershed access road.
- 33 : km 21.83 - alt. 138 m - There is a 200 yard stretch across the dam and into the park. This is the first flat section of the course. The Cleveland Dam is built at the 2nd canyon of the Capilano River. As you cross the dam you can look to your left up Capilano Lake (which provides drinking water to Greater Vancouver) and look to the right down the dam spillway into the Canyon. The Capilano Canyon itself is a very narrow gorge with vertical rock walls.
- 34 : km 22.15 - alt. 159 m - Cleveland Dam Major Aid Station (24.1 km, 15.0 miles, 5h cutoff).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 35 : km 22.25 - alt. 162 m - Leaving the aid station at Cleveland Dam, the next mile climbs Nancy Greene Way for 500 ft elevation to the base of the Grouse Mountain.
- 36 : km 23.76 - alt. 296 m - The trail then re-enters the forest which is deeper, darker and steeper than ever. This first part is usually very busy as many hikers enjoy the Grouse Grind Trail.
- 37 : km 23.8 - alt. 297 m - Turn right, away from the Grouse Grind crowds.
- 38 : km 24.58 - alt. 479 m - Reach top of climb (10–15 minutes from Grouse parking lot, Elev 1,600 ft)
- 39 : km 25.13 - alt. 468 m - The trail meanders across the side of the mountain crossing 2 streams with deep valleys (one of which was scoured right out by flash floods a few years ago).
- 40 : km 25.67 - alt. 457 m - The trail then drops sharply to a water stop at Skyline Drive. This section with the steep decline can be somewhat jolting since the trail traverses the side of the mountain with a number of vertical drops of 1.5 to 2 feet as you come over rocks or around trees. These aren’t too bad at the time, but by the end of the race your knees will be knackered (guaranteed).
- 41 : km 26.2 - alt. 399 m - Skyline Drive Intermediate Aid Station (28.5 km, 17.7 miles).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 42 : km 26.57 - alt. 343 m - Cross the steel bridge at Mosquito Creek.
- 43 : km 26.6 - alt. 344 m - Turn left onto Baden Powell Trail
- 44 : km 26.74 - alt. 366 m - Turn left onto Baden Powell Trail
- 45 : km 27.61 - alt. 477 m - St. George’s junction (Elev 1,500 ft). There is nothing at St. George’s except a bench and a multiple intersection. This is however, a regular point to regroup on training runs. The intersection will be well marked. St Georges also marks the beginning of the trail down to Mountain Highway. This section is mostly dirt trail and is quite popular with mountain bikers.
- 46 : km 30.09 - alt. 372 m - The trail starts to really descend sharply as you begin to approach Mountain Hwy, then finally you can see the folks at the Mountain Hwy water stop way down below you (Elev 1,050 ft). It doesn’t take long to drop that last bit of vertical distance.
- 47 : km 30.35 - alt. 316 m - Mountain Highway Minor Aid Station (32.8 km, 20.4 miles).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 48 : km 30.82 - alt. 274 m - From Mountain Hwy, the trail descends down and then meanders through a gentle forest on pea gravel trails. This is not far from a residential area, consequently there are numerous trails in the area and care must be taken to not lose the real trail. On race day, it should be pretty well marked. This whole stretch is about 0.5 to 0.75 miles long and descends almost vertically to Lynn Valley Road on a very steep set of wooden steps which switchback across the cliffside.
- 49 : km 31.32 - alt. 198 m - Go left on Lynn Valley Road for about 150 meters.
- 50 : km 31.46 - alt. 197 m - Turn right onto Varley Trail
- 51 : km 32.8 - alt. 175 m - Turn left to cross Lynn Creek on a bike/pedestrian bridge. As you cross the bridge, pause a moment and gaze down to the bottom of the canyon where Lynn Creek dances and laughs over the rocks as it pursues its tortuous course to the sea.
- 52 : km 33.1 - alt. 196 m - Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR) Major Aid Station (35.4 km, 22.0 miles, 7.5h cutoff).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 53 : km 33.43 - alt. 195 m - The trail leaving the aid station is a broad easy park trail but soon becomes rockier.
- 54 : km 33.9 - alt. 148 m - Rejoin the Baden Powell. Stay left (trail on right goes to the suspension bridge)
- 55 : km 34.45 - alt. 89 m - After passing the Twin Falls bridge, the trail follows the bottom of the canyon and then crosses a wetland area on a wooden walkway. This is a low point on this section (Elev 200 ft).
- 56 : km 35.06 - alt. 75 m - After the wetlands, the trail climbs steeply up a long stairway section.
- 57 : km 35.33 - alt. 103 m - At the top, the trail turns a hard left (this junction should be well marked on race day).
- 58 : km 35.9 - alt. 171 m - Lillooet Road Minor Aid Station (38.1 km, 23.7 miles).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 59 : km 36.46 - alt. 155 m - The trail switchbacks down sharply and makes a final descent down some very steep steps to the bridge across the Seymour.
- 60 : km 37.07 - alt. 75 m - After the Seymour River crossing, the trail rises and turns left through several wooden gates before turning right to get back onto Baden Powell again.
- 61 : km 37.25 - alt. 92 m - Keep right onto Baden Powell Trail
- 62 : km 37.97 - alt. 155 m - Hyannis Drive Intermediate Aid Station (39.9km, 24.8 miles).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 63 : km 38.4 - alt. 199 m - Leaving Hyannis you climb somewhat incessantly before reaching the Seymour Grind, a steep uphill section gaining 850 feet that is very obvious on the elevation diagrams. In fact most of this section is a very runnable gradual uphill on pleasant forest trails with most of the climb coming on a steep relatively short section about 1 mile long. This general stretch of trail has a number of cross trails. This can be very confusing on training runs but should be very well marked on race day.
- 64 : km 38.9 - alt. 244 m - Keep left onto Baden Powell Trail
- 65 : km 40.42 - alt. 429 m - The top of the grind (Elev 1,350 ft) is at a fire road (Mushroom Trail) where the course turns a hard right and heads down. From here it is all downhill and at this point the race is psychologically in the bag. You can be almost dead at this point and recover on the downhill to look O.K. at the finish! This road then re-enters the forest for a short stretch towards the Seymour Road crossing.
- 66 : km 41.51 - alt. 338 m - Keep left on Baden Powell, shared with Old Buck
- 67 : km 41.61 - alt. 350 m - Turn right onto Baden Powell Trail
- 68 : km 42.11 - alt. 308 m - Mt. Seymour Road Intermediate Aid Station (44.3km, 27.5 miles, 9.25h cutoff).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
- 69 : km 43 - alt. 224 m - The trail crosses the road and drops down a short section of stairs. We DO NOT run down the road anymore. This is a trail race. This new forest segment is somewhat technical with rocks, roots and new bridge and trail work. This new trail will connect you with the old trail after crossing the creek.
- 70 : km 43.71 - alt. 176 m - After the bridge turn right heading down toward the ocean. Technical trail persists from here. There is one particular rock face with about a 3 to 3.5 foot drop, that I always negotiate carefully, no matter how crazy I run on the rest of it. The middle of this little section meets a road where you turn left, proceed up about 20 feet and right back onto the trail. This can be a confusing intersection. Watch for flagging on race day.
- 71 : km 44.07 - alt. 131 m - After passing under a high power line (Elev 400 ft), you begin the last trail segment. On the course diagram it looks like a sharp up and down. In fact, it is a series of short but steep ups and downs as you cross a series of valleys and creeks. There are a total of something like 5 serious valleys and a total of about eight bridges.
- 72 : km 45.69 - alt. 61 m - You can tell when you are getting near the end since you will likely see people on the trail and the last little descent to the road is a bit eroded so the footing is iffy, however this portion of the trail has recently been improved and new steps have been built in the worst part.
This section of the trail is very popular with day hikers and the single-track can get crowded, but most of these hikers are usually quite supportive and encouraging.
- 73 : km 45.88 - alt. 17 m - When you come out on the road you are 300 yards from the finish. A short stretch on the road, into the park and a sea-level finish at the beach in Panorama Park in Deep Cove where finishers are rewarded with an aid station that includes Honey’s Fresh Baked Donuts.
- E : km 46.15 - alt. 6 m - Panorama Park Finish (48.0 km, 30.0 miles, 10h cutoff).
See http://kneeknacker.com/race-info-course/aid-stations
Useful Information
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
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