A 13-kilometre round-trip hike in the woods might seem like a lot, but the effort to reach Norvan Falls, one of the region's prettiest sights, is worth it.
The even bigger challenge is prying your eyes away and returning home.
The five to six-hour venture deep into Lynn Headwaters Regional Park offers multiple options, degrees of difficulty and hints of other great hikes that split off from the main trails, many which are steeped in history.
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots are strongly recommended, along with plenty of food and water and extra clothes in case of a sudden change of weather.
Take necessary safety precautions, including signing-in at the hiker registration and information board (and don't forget to drop off your safe-return ticket when you get back).
From the trailhead at the hiker registration board, you can either go left on the gravel road (which is the easier, most-direct route to Norvan Falls), or if you want a little more cardio, you can turn right and climb a stint for the east side of the popular Lynn Loop.
After passing an intersection for the trail to Lynn Peak (a much more strenuous climb, similar in sections to the Grouse Grind), follow the main trail over small bridges and occasional muddy sections. Make a quick stop at a sign indicating "Boulders." Two minutes to the right of the trail are massive boulders-called "erratics"-dumped here by retreating glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age over 11,000 years ago.
The Loop and Headwaters trail flattens out after the initial climb, then dips and rises past numerous creek beds before emerging from the forest at the rocky Third Debris Chute where you'll get a view of Lynn Creek.
You still have over two kilometres of moderate uphill trail before reaching Norvan Falls, so if you're too tired to carry on, head back here.
If you keep going, have a good drink of water, then head north back into the forest. This section of trail is an overgrown logging road and can be rocky at some points.
In other spots you'll notice you're walking over tightly packed deteriorating wood, remnants of the old "corduroy roads" laid down by logging crews to help transport equipment over rough terrain.
When you start to hear the sound of rushing water ahead, you are close to Norvan Creek.
Turn right and follow a short trail upstream until you get your first glimpse of what all this effort was for: Norvan Falls.
Be very careful navigating around the creek for a look at the falls. The banks can be steep and slippery. But the natural amphitheatre makes this is a perfect place to reward yourself with a rest and lunch in view of the falls, which drop close to 30 metres.
On a hot day, the mist from the falls is refreshing if you want to cool down.
Return trip: retrace your steps to the Third Debris Chute, then turn right and follow the Cedars Mill Trail that hugs Lynn Creek back to the trailhead.
Look for signs and artifacts from the old mill. Near the end of the hike, you'll see what's left of an old fourwheel logging trailer with trees growing through it. This is what happens to a trailer when it's parked and untouched for over 100 years.
Mike Hanafin is an avid backcountry hiker who can see the forest and the trees. Reach him at mhanafin@shaw. ca.
