Jug Island
5 Nov 2015

5 Best Rainy Day Hikes Near Vancouver

by | Posted in: Step Outside Blog | 27

The fall and spring are some of the best times to go hiking in the Vancouver region. There are not as many annoying bugs, the temperature is cooler (perfect for hiking, where you can build up a sweat in half an hour), and most of the trails are generally less crowded. However, as any Vancouverite knows, there is also more rain on average during these two seasons. No worries.

Here are some trails near Vancouver where you don’t necessarily have to get soaked. You may still want to bring a waterproof shell for sections out in the open but, for the most part, the heavily forested trails should provide a good amount of protection from the rain. Also make sure you have good hiking boots or shoes (poles are also a good idea) as some surfaces may be slippery.

Capilano Canyon

1 hour, 2.5km, 100m elevation gain

Located off of Capilano Road near the foot of Grouse Mountain, this heavily forested trail takes you through canyons and over rushing water. Most people start the hike by walking past Cleveland Dam, which contains the Capilano Reservoir. This reservoir provides a third of the drinking water to the Lower Mainland. Once you make it into the dense forest, the Hemlock and Fir trees should help shield you from the rain. One of the most popular routes is a short loop that winds through the forest and eventually takes you past a salmon hatchery. At the hatchery’s interpretive centre, you can watch salmon jump up from one pool to another at a fish ladder, depending on the time of year

Quarry Rock

1.5 hours, 3.8km, 100m elevation gain

This short but sweet hike starts just past Panorama Park in scenic Deep Cove. The hike is the beginning of the Baden-Powell Trail and, like Capilano Canyon, is densely forested with creeks and a waterfall along the way. The payoff at the end, though, is a large rock outcropping towering high above the Indian Arm inlet that gives you panoramic views of Deep Cove and the Burrard Inlet. Since you are only about 100 metres above sea level, there is a good chance you will have a decent view even if it is raining. Be careful walking on the rocks, though.

Jug Island

2.5 hours, 5.5km, 100m elevation gain

Located in Belcarra Regional Park near Port Moody, this hike begins from the park’s picnic area. Initially an old road, the trail eventually becomes more rough and narrow. At one point, there are a set of wooden stairs you have to climb. Make sure you have good hiking boots or shoes as the trail can be quite slippery at times. After about 45 minutes, you make a steep descent down to a pebble beach, where you should have a great view (even in poor weather) of Indian Arm and Jug Island, a small island a stone’s throw off shore. You may even see some eagles on the island’s tall trees.

Lynn Loop

1.5 hours, 5km, 175m elevation gain

Located in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park in North Vancouver, Lynn Loop is a very popular hike with both people and dogs. As a result, if weather conditions are not ideal and crowds are not your thing, this may be the time to hike this trail. Be warned, though, that sections may be quite muddy during or after a rainfall.

The trail starts off on a wide gravel road through beautiful trees and mossy stumps. As you get higher, you have the option of extending your hike 10 minutes by checking out a viewpoint on top of a large rock, where you may see Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands if the visibility isn’t too bad. Eventually, after around 3 kilometres, the loop winds back along the rushing waters of Lynn Creek.

Norvan Falls

5 hours, 14km, minimal elevation gain

Another hike in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park, Norvan Falls initially follows the Lynn Loop the first 1.7 kilometres. After a junction, the trail becomes more narrow and rocky as you pass a number of streams. Eventually, you will reach Norvan Creek and then Norvan Falls, a large waterfall. This is a nice spot to have lunch. Again, some sections along the way can get quite muddy so make sure you have appropriate footwear and warm socks. On the way back, you can hike an extra two kilometres and reach a viewpoint of Mt. Fromme.

There are a number of other, more difficult hikes that are also doable in the fall and spring. You might not have a great panoramic view on a rainy day but, at least in the spring, you may see some beautiful snow covered trails at higher elevations. Happy hiking!

 

Step Outside Adventures (www.soadventures.com) is a Vancouver based tour company offering sightseeing and hiking tours in British Columbia.

27 Responses

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    Hiking in the rain in Vancouver can actually be quite pleasant – all you need is a warm jacket, waterproof boots and an umbrella. The great thing is that there’s a lot less people around – no screaming kids or dog walkers or large family packs. And the rainy weather presents some unique nature photography opportunities.

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