This portion of the Discovery Trail includes the Ellwood/Fishtrap Creek and Lake system and is a must-see to appreciate the beauty of this special place in a developing community in Abbotsford. Â The rest of the trail connects greenways with parks. Â This promises to be 2.5 to 3 hours of pure joy.
The main trail loop is just over 10 kms but could end up being a good 12 kms when taking in all its features. It is an additional km one-way to or from the Sperling Skytrain using a sensational bridge over Winston Ave, a rail track, and Still Creek while being part of the Central Valley Greenway.
The park can be accessed by Skytrain from 3 stations. The recommended one is at the Sperling/Burnaby Lake Station which is the shortest access and stays on greenways.
The main features involve wetlands around a fairly shallow Lake which ensures its lake formation because of the Cariboo Dam at the east end. It is fed by Still Creek from the west and drains out in Brunette Creek at the east end which, in turn, outflows into the Fraser River.
It is a first-class walking trail with a number of boardwalks, bridges and ways to view the lake. On a clear day, it affords views of the North Shore Mountains, as well as, Eagle Mt. and the Golden Ears Mountain to the east. It features a viewing platform and the prominent Piper spit into the Lake. The Spruce and Conifer trails are worthwhile detours. Do take in the interpretive signage along the way. On occasion, there are km indicators along the10 kms starting at the east end of the lake going clockwise from the south shore where there is also a parking lot with toilet facilities. The main parking lots are at the east and west end of the lake. At the east end, there is an equestrian center with trails, while on the west end are the playing fields. There is another access point, with parking, halfway along the north side of the lake. Unfortunately, you will become very conscious of the freeway traffic noise on the south side of the Lake which is less noticeable when the leaves are back in the spring and summer months.
For the main ground cover vegetation look for cattail grass, salmonberry, blackberry, ferns and mosses.
There are prominent groves of large cedar trees. Other trees frequently encountered are hemlock, Sitka spruce, alder, and large cottonwoods.
Ducks and geese are the prominent birds of interest. Near the south side of the Cariboo Dam, turtles can be seen sunning themselves on a floating log.
 This is yet another one of our great regional parks that must be experienced.
These are optional Loops taking in Buntzen Lake to Sasamat Lake. The options allows for longer or shorter hikes. All of it are mainly single track trails with the trail above Buntzen Lake known as the Diez Vistas Trail as the most challenging.
Its full name is: UBC Malcom Knapp Reasearch Forest. A Description of each of the loops are to come. For more information:
This quite easy walking loop offers the opportunity to see how greenways and parks have been integrated into this new community on the outskirts of Coquitlam The greenways include Smiling Creek, Hyde Creek, and a BC Hydro right-of-way. Expect to be among giant cedars and Douglas Fir trees. The primitive stumps are of interest as well. There are opportunities to take in views all the way to Mount Baker on a clear day. While on some of the city sidewalks it is interesting to take in the various residential styles in this densely populated neighbourhood. Also, of interest in the neighbourhood are the multi-use paved pathways along David Avenue and Coast Meridian Road.
This worthwhile day hike takes in the features of the Mountain Village Loop excluding the west side of the loop which is less featured than the east side. Much of this trail is quite a bit more rugged giving the feeling of being in the backcountry following Coquitlam River, and viewing such sites as the magnificent Crystal Falls and spectacular views over Coquitlam Lake, the water supply for the region. The length of the hike is dependent on alternatives that you may wish to take. Note that if the water is too high at the base of Crystal Falls there is an alternative route that can be taken before the falls.
Recent Comments