Time: 1:00PM–2:30PM

The next SFURA Walking Group walk — the Poco Trail, in Coquitlam — will be on Wednesday, November 11 at 1:00 PM (rather than the usual 10:00 AM). We are delaying the walk until the afternoon because November 11 is Remembrance Day. David Ryeburn will lead this walk.

Driving directions:

Drive east on the Lougheed Highway across the bridge over the Coquitlam River. Immediately east of the bridge (the boundary between Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam), turn south onto Shaughnessy Street and almost immediately turn right into Lions Park. The entrance road curves around a bit; proceed to the northwest corner of the parking lot, where we will meet at 1:00 PM. At this time of year the washrooms in Lions Park are usually locked. However, we will be able to use washrooms when we walk by the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (see below).

The route we will walk:

The trail proceeds north along the eastern bank of the Coquitlam River, leaving it within Coquitlam River Park to ascend along a tributary stream which may contain spawning salmon if we have picked the right week for this walk. There is a short stretch along Lincoln Avenue, a brief traversal of Wellington Park, and another short stretch along Patricia Avenue, after which we will enter the Hyde Creek Nature Reserve. We will pass just north of the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre which will be open at 1:00 PM on Remembrance Day (so we will be able to use the washrooms there). The trail follows Hyde Creek (more salmon?) and emerges from the nature reserve, crosses Cedar Drive and then follows the south bank of DeBoville Slough, which empties into the Pitt River. We can proceed as far along DeBoville Slough as we wish, returning via the same route to Lions Park.

All portions of the route are easy walking (runners[note] are fine), and umbrellas will be OK if it is raining. The walk will be about 2½ hours.

If you have questions, you can contact Ted Cohn by email.