Lynn Peak
Lynn Headwaters Regional Park
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 2006

We just visited this regional park last week, but our hiking itch certainly wasn't satisfied. So we decided to do a more challenging hike to Lynn Peak.

On the brochure it indicates that the 7.2 km round trip hike will take you 3 hours. I totally disagree with this time. With the rough rocky unstable terrain, four view points, steep inclines, and very few switchbacks this hike will take you 3 hours just to get to the top. Especially the second last part of the hike you spend most of your time using trees to pull yourself up the steep incline. I recommend 5 to 6 hours to complete this hike.

Appropriate hiking boots are required and plenty of water. There is a high chance of twisting an ankle with the many loose rocks throughout, which also makes it very technical to maneuver around. We steadily passed many unprepared hikers on the way up and on the way down.

After a grueling hike to the first view point, you think that you're almost there but it's very deceiving, you're actually only half way. And the second half of the hike is more strenuous than the first. The trail gets steeper and narrower. The second view point you look out to the south and can see all of the lower mainland. The remaining hike to the top gets you to the third viewpoint which is so high up that you can see the islands in the distance. One last easy hike through forest gets you to the peak. The view from the peak is not as rewarding as the third viewpoint. Many of the trees have grown tall and block the view, but the journey up and the beautiful terrain makes up for the lack of reward in the end.

Note: Start this hike early in the day so you give yourself enough time to make it back down the mountain before dark. Appropriate hiking boots are required. Plenty of water for hydration. There are no amenities on this hike.

Directions
From Highway 1, take the Lynn Valley Road exit in North Vancouver and follow north to the park entrance.