Time: 10:00AM–12:00PM

The next SFURA walk will be in parts of Lynn Headwaters Park, Lynn Canyon Park, and the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve on Wednesday, September 29 at 10 AM. The high point of the walk (both for interest and altitude) will be at Rice Lake, in the Conservation Reserve.

David Ryeburn will lead the walk. The walk is rated E (Easy), though there is a bit of altitude gain from Lynn Canyon up into the Conservation Reserve.

This is the same walk that was on the schedule for August 18, when hot weather caused the number of participants to drop to two. The walk, through pleasant forest and along creek and lake shores, is quite short; the August 18 walking time was well under two hours.

Driving directions:

Ridesharing is encouraged. To start the process, the walk leader – David Ryeburn – can offer rides to four others, leaving at 9:15 AM from 5960 Buchanan St., Burnaby. Contact him by email or phone 604-298-7913.

Driving east on the Upper Levels Highway

From the Upper Levels Highway take Exit 19, driving north for a short distance on William Ave. Turn right onto Lynn Valley Road, which heads northeast.

Driving west on the Upper Levels Highway

(Allow forty-five minutes to drive from Burnaby to the meeting spot.)

From the Upper Levels Highway take Exit 21, Mountain Highway, driving north on it as far as Lynn Valley Highway and then turning northeast on that. [Note: this option is unavailable for eastbound travellers on the Upper Levels Highway.]

Pass the approach to Lynn Canyon Park on your right. Do not turn left on Dempsey Road but continue on Lynn Valley Road into Lynn Headwaters Park. The final part of your approach to the park is somewhat winding and narrow, so use caution as you approach the three parking lots. Drive past what is called the second overflow lot (the southernmost one). Park in what is called the first overflow lot, unless it is full in which case return to the southern one. We will meet in the first overflow parking lot (the northern one) at 10 AM. Another small parking lot at the end of the drivable road is usually full.

The route we will walk:

We will take the Varley Trail approach route to Rice Lake; this route begins on the west side of Lynn Creek immediately below our parking lot. The trail proceeds south through the woods above Lynn Creek, briefly interrupted by a short stretch along Rice Lake Road, after which it crosses Lynn Creek on a bridge and enters Lynn Canyon Park. There we will continue walking south above the east bank of Lynn Creek, passing the 30 Foot Pool where your children may have swum (we're not stopping to cool off by swimming there), and passing the Lynn Canyon Park suspension bridge (time will be allowed for a quick trip across the bridge and back, for those wishing to relive their children's youth). Just after the suspension bridge a relatively new trail ascends and heads generally north, taking us to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, where we will circumnavigate Rice Lake. After that we will head northwest along the Connector Trail. This continues back into Lynn Headwaters Park and we will arrive at another bridge crossing the creek leading to the northernmost parking lot, the one we ignored because it was probably full. Nearby are picnic tables for those who bring their lunch. From here we will walk south a short distance on the Varley Trail, leaving it just below our parking lot at the same point where we entered it at the start of the walk. See map.

The route is suitable for runners (/sneakers /tennis shoes) and for umbrellas. There are rudimentary washroom facilities near the northernmost parking lot in Lynn Headwaters Park, in Lynn Canyon Park, and near our entrance point into the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.

IMPORTANT – Be sure to carry enough water for the walk, especially if it is hot.

Special note: If anyone is interested in leading a walk or walks, please contact us. (To continue having walks every week, we will need more leaders.)