The new suspension bridge at Twin Bridges in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Photo via happiestoutdoors.ca
The lower slopes of the North Shore mountains have an incredible network of interconnected trails that are perfect for exploring. The forested paths and rushing rivers are a great destination for the rainy and misty spring days of March. There are so many options that it can be hard to choose. See some of the highlights on this hike that uses several trails to make a loop that includes the deep canyons of the Seymour River and Lynn Creek.
Trail Stats: 8.5km loop, 110m elevation gain, 3 hours, easy
Safety First: Just because this hike is close to Vancouver doesn’t mean you aren’t going to the wilderness. North Shore Rescue recommends bringing a backpack with essential safety and first aid gear on every hike. Check the forecast and pack extra clothing for the weather. And leave a trip plan so someone knows where you are going and when you will be back.
Getting There: This hike starts at the Rice Lake parking lot in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve in North Vancouver. To get there, drive north on Highway 1 over the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge. After the bridge, take exit 22B, signed for Lillooet Road. Go straight through the traffic light to get on to Lillooet Road.
Follow this road up the hill past Capilano University as it curves sharply to the left and goes through the North Vancouver Cemetery. Once you are through the cemetery, continue on Lillooet Road through a gate into the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Stay on the road past several roadside parking lots. Shortly after passing the water treatment plant buildings, look for a sign for “Public Parking” on your right. Turn right and park in this parking lot.
The Trail: This loop hike uses a network of interconnected trails that can be a bit confusing. Be sure to refer to these directions as you hike, and bring along a copy of the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve map just in case you get turned around. It’s an easy hike but does have a few steep sections with lots of stairs.
To find the trailhead, head to the east end of the parking lot, opposite the side you drove in. Follow the trail between a fence and a small building, then across a gravel road. Reach a junction on the other side of the road and head right on the Twin Bridges Trail. Follow this wide trail downhill for about two kilometres.
At the bottom of the hill, you’ll arrive at a new suspension bridge over the Seymour River. Completed in late 2018, this bridge replaces an older bridge at this site that was destroyed by flooding after a rockslide in 2014.
Walking across the new suspension bridge at Twin Bridges
Cross the suspension bridge, then turn right to follow Fisherman’s Trail downstream for two kilometres, ignoring trails branching off to your left. This trail is an old logging access road. It may be hard to believe, but there was active logging in this valley until the 1990s! At a few places, you’ll get great views of the Seymour River canyon below you.
As the trail begins to approach a cluster of houses, turn right and go downhill on the Baden Powell Trail. Cross the river on a unique pipe bridge. Immediately afterward, you’ll face up a stiff climb on a set of stairs up out of the river canyon.
Stay on the Baden Powell Trail through several trail intersections. Cross Lillooet Road at a crosswalk, then pick up the Baden Powell on the other side. Stay on the Baden Powell as it heads downhill into Lynn Canyon. As Lynn Creek begins to come into view, the trail heads upstream along the canyon rim.
Continue on the Baden Powell as it follows the east bank of Lynn Creek. But be sure to check out the views from Twin Falls Bridge and the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge as you pass them.
Past the suspension bridge, continue following the trail north to the 30 Foot Pool. Stop to admire the incredible deep green pool, then climb up the stairs and follow the trail north. You’ll pop out on the gravel of Rice Lake Road, which isn’t open to cars at this point. Turn right and follow the road back to your car at the Rice Lake parking lot.
Looking back at the stairs up from 30 Foot Pool
