This section of my site is dedicated to our Regional Parks.

Here are a few of my favourites used for getting in shape after winter. Many of these trails are good for just a family walk with young kids, or when time and daylight hours are short. While you are waiting for the snow to vanish from the backcountry you may want to visit these.  When I get time I will add to this and post more pictures.

Cypress Falls. Distance: 6km  Elevation Gain: 130m  Time : 2 Hr. Total Elevation : 300m

To reach the trail head take the road to Cypress Provincial Park. Drive just passed the municipal works yard towards the first hairpin turn. Pull in here by the big yellow gate. Its best to park off to the side if you can, in case they have to gain access. From here head up the road to your right for a rather boring walk to the power lines at the top of the hill. There is a small sign just to your left (west) that takes you down to a narrow trail. There is a fence and gate about 20m in, then the trail widens up after that and heads down into the forest. In about 10- 15 minutes you will come to a fork. To the right will take you down a slope to Cypress Creek and a small canyon. The left trail takes you down to a wooden bridge at which point you should be able to hear the falls. There is a fenced off view point at the top for you to look down ,but may advise is to head down the trail a bit farther then swing down thru the bush . There you will find a side trail that will take you to a better view. If you have the kids with you one word of caution. Dont let them take the trail on the east side of the bridge. This trail is very narrow and comes out on the far side of the falls. The rocks here are moss covered and one slip here could be deadly.

There are also a number of small trails that lend themselves well for the kids to do plenty of exploring, or if it is one of those rainy days great for some moody photos of the forest.

Rating : 1    View : 1+

9km of hiking trails not counting the PoCo trail which hooks up at both ends of the park. This is a personal favourite of mine because it is close to where I live. I have heard there are about 300 coyotes that live in the immediate area. They also have river otters (when the salmon are spawning) herons, hawks, ducks to name but a few. Bird watchers should love the place. You should note that a few times last year bear & cougar were sighted in the area. The G.V.R.D. will post signs to warn you when this is a concern. Because of the healthy coyote population it is best to keep small dogs on a leash.

This is a great place to bring your mountain bike for some easy dike riding. The PoCo. Trail will take you across Maryhill and you can follow the Fraser river all the way to the Pitt-River Bridge, from there you can head on to Minnekhada Park or into the Pitt-Addington Marsh. If you elect to go North of Colony Farm on the PoCo Trail it will take you all the way alone the Coquitlam River to the foot of Burke Ridge .The trail from Shaugnessy to Lougheed Hwy is paved and you may even see me on my roller blades on that section.

How to get there: Travel east on Hwy 1 , take the Cape Horn exit to Hwy 7 ( Lougheed ) Turn Right at Colony Farm road , go to the end of the road for parking . Other access is a small parking lot just over the Red Bridge on Shaugnessy St. If you are on the Maryhill bypass there is a small parking lot at the south end of Shaugnessy ( 1^st set of lights on Maryhill bypass , just past the Port Mann Bridge )

Iona Beach

Minnekhada Regional Park:  Distance: Trail Dependant   Elevation Gain: 0- 150m

There are several trails in the park to chose from to give you a choice of wildlife viewing at the marsh or a beautiful view of marsh, Pitt River and the surrounding area;

Lodge Trail 20-30 minutes

Fern Trail to Addington Lookout 30-45 minutes

Minnekhada Perimeter Trail 1.5-2.5 hours

Low Knoll 40 50 minutes (one way)

High Knoll 1 1.5 hours (one way)

To get there:  Take the Lougheed Highway east out through Coquitlam, then Port Coquitlam.  At Port Coquitlam, turn left on to Coast Meridian Road and follow it north, until Appel Drive.  Take Appel Drive, until it turns to Victoria Drive.  Follow Victoria Drive to Minnekhada Regional Park. 

This 175 hectare park located in the northeast corner of Coquitlam features trails, picnic facilities, rock knolls, lots of cedar and fir trees, birds and other wildlife, Pitt-Addington Marsh, Minnekhada Farm, and Minnekhada Lodge.  Minnekhada Lodge was built as a country retreat for hunting in 1934 by Lieutenant Governor Eric Hamber (and apparently Queen Elizabeth stayed there at one time).  The lodge is open for viewing from 1 pm to 4 pm the first Sunday of the each month (except January).

  I have lived in the area for a couple of years and this was my first time here. I was pleasantly surprised to find this little gem tucked away in a quite corner of  Coquitlam.I understand  that they have had problems in the past with break-ins to cars so leave any valuables out of sight in your trunk. I parked at the Quarry Road entrance on a weekday and found a dozen cars already in the lot. The trails are well marked and should be a joy to those with young kids who want to go exploring.

  I decided to make for the Low Knoll and then further on to the High Knoll to take on the views incase the weather turned bad and the clouds moved in. Going down the Meadow Trail I was impressed with the beauty and silence of the trail. Pine needles underfoot, leaves turning gold , the warm sun  breaking through the trees. As I neared the start of the marsh I thought about the sign at the trail head Bears sighted in Area. I was just about to dig out my bells when I heard a number of high pitched voices from the woods. Fourteen little munchkins from a grade four class popped out of the bush in front of me, all giggling and with very big smiles. They stopped to warn me about the big blue heron and the giant frog they had seen at the marsh. I was tempted to tell them about the dragon that lives in the woods but thought better of it! I was now sure that any self respecting bear was long gone after all that commotion.  God bless teachers ! Along the way there are a few old growth trees to remind you of what the area must have been like before the logging of the 30s and 40s . The trail itself is a gentle one with only a short 5 minute moderate climb to the Low Knoll. The view here is nice and would make for a good destination for the very young or the older folks. The High Knoll provides you with the best view in the park. From here you can see the surrounding farmlands , Pitt River & Addington Marsh , and Minnekhada Lodge.

  The park map lists this trail as moderate ,but the only really steep section if you can call it that was the last 25 minutes of the trail . There are a few switchbacks but they should be easy to accomplish with the older kids. Once up on top there are a number of large flat rocks to have lunch and enjoy the views.

Rating: 1.5     View : 1.5 -2

Admiralty Point Trail

Distance 2.5 km.

Elevation Gain 100m.

Time 2hrs.

As with the Jug Island Beach Trail the time given for Admiralty Point is very generous .These trails are good for the little ones or the older folks, and time should be taken to explore all the stops along the way.

The start of the trail is at the south end of the parking lot. There is a short service road which takes toy to the trail proper. A gentle incline up the hill brings you up above the beach at Belcarra.Your first stop is Cod Rock 15 minutes in and to your right. From here you can look back at Deep Cove, see kayakers passing, and maybe get a glimpse of a harbour seal playing in the water. Maple Beach is just ahead and has toilets in case you need them. Next stop is Whiteshell Beach  a great place to do some beachcombing . Here you can find clam shells galore , star fishes, small crabs and tide pools to explore.

Half an hour into the trail should bring you to Admiralty Point. There is a sign that directs you to take a right turn with a short walk down to the water. This is a good place to soak up the sun and have some good views of the inlet. Cates Park is across from you and Barnett Marine Park is to your left. Here too you have a small beach and rocky shoreline to explore. On a clear day you can see the Second Narrows Bridge and downtown Vancouver in the distance.

Pick up the trail once again   Burns Point is another half hour away. The interesting part of this trail as it winds along the shore are, a few remnants of old houses, where only a few bricks and flowers remain.

Burns Point will give you a view of the inlet all the way up to Port Moody and is directly across from Barnett Marine Park. Extreme care should be taken here and do not get too close to the edge of the cliffs as there is a steep drop off. From this vantage point you can watch the traffic from the marina, see eagles and seagulls looking for food and wave to the Tugs that travel the inlet.

Rocky Point Park; Shoreline Trail

Distance; 6km.

Time; 1 ½ hours

Elevation; N/A

Rocky Points Shoreline Trail is definitely a birdwatchers paradise. I recommend you do this trail in the early morning before the joggers and trail runners get out there. Here you have a good mix of forest, marsh, and water views all within 3 km and ending at the beach at Old Orchard Park.

From the parking lot, go right along the paved path until you come to the foot bridge. The trail enters the forest just after the bridge and is wide a pleasant to walk along. Keep an ear tuned for the telltale knock, knock, knock, of the Red Headed Woodpecker and if you are lucky you can spot them on some of the old tress along the way. Shortly to your left is a look-out over the marsh and boardwalk at the end of Burrard Inlet. If you brought binoculars this is a good spot to watch unseen by the shore birds. Continue down the short staircase to the boardwalk and over the marsh. Once you cross the two foot bridges you enter into the forest for a while with views of the water to your left. The remains of the Old Mill are an interesting place to visit especially at low tide , and you can see remnants of a bygone era when this was an industrial area. Following the gently rolling trail brings you out at Old Orchard Beach and a good place to stop and relax before heading back. This trail has an enchanting feel to it. The last time I was there I met a couple from Oregon. They told me they almost expected to see some Hobbits pop out of the woods at any minute.

Rating 1   View 1