Capturing the Art of Nature
Pitt Lake Loop
It was rated as moderate and only 12km in length. The reality was so much different. We did get a few nice scenes but was it worth it?
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
2013
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Today Ethan was joining me for an adventure in the hills and he wanted an easy hike to enjoy. I also had an obligation to attend a special birthday party for my Uncle this afternoon in Pitt Meadows so I thought I would look for a hike in the general area. On reviewing the various books I have, I found one called the Pitt Lake Loop. This hike was listed as being 12km in length with most of the distance along level dykes at the south end of Pitt Lake. I had seen this write-up before and thought it interesting. With the rated time and location it was a perfect fit for the needs of the day.
Ethan arrived at the house a bit before 8 and we got things loaded into the truck but it took a bit longer than usual as Geoff had borrowed it earlier in the week to take his family camping and though he unpacked his stuff, my items never made it back. So that took a bit more time than planned. Once everything we wanted was reloaded and hopefully nothing critical left behind we were able to head out around 8:30. Our first stop was of course - the closest Starbucks along the route.
Enjoying our coffee, we continued north along the highway and took the turn for the Golden Ears Bridge and up the roads leading to the south end of the lake. This area is very flat as would be expected for an area affected by tides even though it is fresh water. The parking area was already mostly full of trucks and boat trailers. It seems to be a very busy place for boaters who want to enjoy a leisurely time on the lake. Why some take huge loud speakers up there and blast the whole area with their noise is beyond me. We found a spot at the far end of the lot and once parked we were met by a woman who was warning us that a movie crew would be moving in on Monday and that we would need to be gone by then. I assured her we were only there for the day.
Well, the drive was done and now we had to load up the packs and put them on! So after a few minutes of checking and stowing stuff in the lock box we set off for the far end of the lot and the start of the dyke. As we passed the boat launch we could hear a few groups talking about who should launch next and how another was going to turn around so he could get his boat trailer in the needed position. It was a busy spot! We quickly wormed our way through the crowd and started out on the almost desolate dyke just across a locked vehicle gate from the crowds. Not far into the walk there is a 30 foot high observation tower available which we decided to walk up and look around the area. It sure is flat out here but we enjoyed the view and after a few moments of checking our gear we continued along the dyke.
At the far end of the dyke is a private property area and we were a bit uncertain as to the start of the trail but upon careful rereading of the guide book we found the indicated clues and soon we were crossing the initial over-grown area and into the forested area where the trail wasn’t hard to spot. It was not heavily used but still quite noticeable in the flatter sections. We also found sufficient spots flagged with tape that we could make our way along fairly confidently. Soon the trail started up slope and here it became much harder to follow, there were many places where trees had fallen across the trail and not just singly but often in groups. This really slowed us down as we had to find a way over or under each tree. The trail was also much harder to spot on the slope and we ended up spending much time looking for the next flag rather than just moving. The trail was now heavily overgrown in places which slowed us even further. We finally came by a small waterfall which was just dribbling a small trickle of water but it was worth the short side jaunt to get to a spot with a nice view of it. I was able to gather a few photos and enjoy the sound of the falling water. We then continued up slope along the trail and were beginning to wonder if we had missed some fork as the book seemed to indicate we should have come by a pavilion but none was in sight and with the trail ahead wending its way along a steep slope with fallen trees in the way, we were getting a bit uncertain about this adventure.
Continuing further we eventually came to a narrow spot with about 5 trees laying across the path, we had to work our way under and over the trees while descending the steep slope. It wasn’t easy but we got to the far side without incident, we were thankful though that the trail was a loop and that we wouldn’t have to do this again in reverse! Continuing down a bit further we finally spotted the pavilion! It was a nice solid structure with a view of the mud flats below, there was a bench to site on and even some bottled water for emergencies. The big keg looked a bit sketchy but there were some regular store bottled water stashed in the rafters. We found a map of the trail but it didn’t show the current position and we were a bit confused as to where we were on it as the book seemed to say we were in a different spot. But we enjoyed a nice break and then continued the trail.
The next segment of trail went steeply downhill to the marsh level and then continues out along the edge of the marsh to where a small side dyke juts out to join the main dyke. We got to the side dyke and made our way along it enduring stinging nettles and prickly vines as we pushed through tall grass. Then it was over a barbed wire fence as we could see the cleared dyke trail only a few hundred feet ahead, we were feeling not too bad and so we just pushed on as the hard stuff would soon be behind us. And then it happened, we spotted a wide gap of water between us and easy walking! This was not at all a happy moment! The mud flats were just too deep and thick with mud to make it safe to wade across here. If we had a rope it may have been doable but not with our current gear. So we turned back not at all excited about the now much longer path further south and with growing uncertainty of what it would reveal.
Having pushed our way back around the fence and tall grass and nettles, we arrived at a sign post showing the trail, though going south was longer it looked like it stayed at marsh level where we were making faster time than on the slope so we decided to continue south. Things were fine for the first couple hundred meters but then the trail disappeared and there were no markers. It’s possible we missed a turn and it went up the slope a bit but where we were there was no way forward. By now we were already tired and really in need of some rest and an easy return trail. So reluctantly we made the decision to turn back and follow the route we had come. We were currently at 8km and the way back would be up the slope and over those obstacles that were a challenge before.
Not much into the steepest section just below the pavilion, Ethan’s legs cramped up and he was suddenly in severe pain as we now inched our way forward. There were many points where he had to stop and I massage his legs to get the cramping under control. Then just before we got back to the pavilion, we disturbed some wasps and Ethan got stung on his sore legs a number of times! Now he was in even more distress and could barely make it to the pavilion. There we stretched out and rested for some time and finally ate some lunch.
Once finished eating we were feeling better and started out on the trail. But with the continued uphill climb, it was only a short distance further where Ethan’s legs cramped up again. We had to stop and wait several minutes for them to settle down before moving again. This pattern continued for the next 2 km’s. As we reached the last part of the descent to the level section at the start of the wooded trail, his legs seemed to settle down and he had much less trouble though it remained just on the edge of tightening up. Finally we came by the small gap just before the main dyke and we struggled across. Now we were safely back on the main dyke and we felt great at having made it through the challenging section. Just as we started along the dyke we came by a couple out walking who asked about the trail. He had done it years ago and stated how lovely a hike it had been. He was saddened to hear how it had deteriorated but was thankful for the information as it was a hike he was hoping to redo.
The walk back along the dyke went without further incident though it was still some distance, being level and graded the distance clicked by quickly. It sure felt good getting to the truck and being able to finally rest. We got our hiking gear stowed and the driving equipment set up again for the drive home. Ethan was in no shape to drive so I ended up driving at this point. Though late for the birthday party we still dropped in and had some time to relax and enjoy some family and food before continuing home.
So our 12km hike turned to 16km and went from moderate to difficult. The overgrowth really made the trail difficult though it wouldn’t have been too bad had Ethan’s legs not cramped. But considering the challenges we faced I figure we did quite well. At this point I don’t recommend this hike to anyone inexperienced.