Campbell Lake : Round trip 9 km. Elevation Gain: 600 m. High point : 610 m . Time : 5 hours. This little trek was suggested by an acquaintance of mine , who incidentally , knows the best place in Vancouver to buy Gore-Tex at great prices . Many thanks " Chantelle " . The trail starts at the foot of Balsam Ave. on Hwy. 9 Two short blocks from the Village of Harrison Hot springs. Look for the sign on your left as you drive into town . This trail is very well marked . Once past the main gate take the right fork and head up the hill . Take heart , the steep 35 % climb only lasts for a short distance . After a quick climb there is a view point overlooking Hwy. 9 . From here you enter into the bush . The trail follows a rocky old road , which can be a bit of a pain if it has rained that day . There are a couple of places where the trail is overgrown with wild flowers and salmon berries .At times it seems to just disappear you'll have to look down at your feet for the beaten path . After 1 hour (1.5 km. ) you come upon Tower # 92 . There is a rock bluff here and a view point of the valley below . Skirt around the tower and enter the bush in 25 yards you enter into a second growth forest and a pleasant trail . Though still a bit of a climb , a 16 % grade , the trail winds it's way past moss , ferns , and a few old growth trees .If your lucky you can catch sight of a red headed woodpecker or maybe a humming bird near the flowers .As you reach the 2 hour mark ( 3.7 km.) , up on a ridge is the Helipad Viewpoint . I'm not sure if they actually land helicopters here as it is not too big or very level . The day I was there a fairly stiff breeze was blowing up from the lake that I suspect would make a landing difficult.From the Helipad the trail returns to the forest dropping along the north side of the ridge . Cross another log bridge and then on to a grass covered road . You'll come to an old rock slide and the lake itself lies just beyond this . I found the lake a big disappointment after the view from the Helipad . It's a small lake with not too many places to sit . Rating 2 ½ View 3
U.B.C. Malcolm Knapp Research Forest : Time,Distance,Elevation - Dependent on trail : There are four main trails a large number of roads to take . The Four trails are ; Red - 1.4 km. time 45 minutes. Yellow - 3.2 km. time 1.5 hours Green - 2.4 km. time 1.2 hours Blue - 6.5 km. time 3 hours . The Forest has 5157 hectares of land and contains just about every type of terrain found in the lower coastal region of B.C. The landscape includes six main lakes and several smaller watersheds . There are several roads as well which make exploring a joy (see map below) . Every time I have been there I have found a new trail. I strongly suggest you bring a compass if you go off a main trail or road.This is an outdoor laboratory where hundreds of reaserch projects have been established over the last 50 years. To protect this environment there are certain rules that are in place: No dogs,No camping,No bikes,No fires,No fishing,No collecting specimens . You should also be aware that the Forest is open from dawn until dusk. Having said all that it is still a good place to spend some time . The Forest has a good selection of wildlife,deer,black bear,cougars (but you will never see them ) , eagles,hawks,coyotes,owls etc... One day while off the beaten path I stopped for lunch & 3 deer stepped out in front of me . The wind was in my face and they didn't know I was there , until I clicked the shutter on my camera. If you cross the Pitt River Bridge look up to your left ( coming from Vancouver ) . You will see what appears to be a little chalet on the foothills of Golden Ears Mountain. This is an observatory and you can getto it by taking Road F50. The view from here is wonderful. my only complaint is that there is no overnight camping. One could spend days in here . For the fitness buffs the lower trails are very popular with trail & cross country runners. If you plan to take a drive out to Maple Ridge turn off on Dewdney Trunk Road and look for 232nd. St. Go north on 232nd. past the turn off for Golden Ears Park. Continue up the hill until you reach Silver Valley Road. Follow this to the end. You will find lots of parking to the right of the main gate. I've hiked this area year round and have never found it very busy. This is one of Maple Ridge's best kept secrets. Rating 1 1/2 View 2
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