Cedar Tree Trail to Kennedy Falls
With the weather improving; it means hike season is back on! Despite this there is still continuous snow and ice underfoot and so the focus is on challenging trails that are not too elevated OR too close to ski hills due to the traffic this brings. Initially I had mentioned re-doing NORVAN falls in the Lynn Headwaters but Navid decided to suprise me with a secret hike. I am so glad he did.
We drove over to North Vancouver to Froome Mountain. Noted for its wide variety of mountain bike dominated tracks; the area gets forgotten as a hiking destination. With the snow/ice closing down the runs it was practically deserted (even if that did mean we had to walk 1.25km uphill to get to the trailhead from the nearest public parking spot).
The trail was an out & back trail called Cedar Tree Trail to Kennedy Falls (click here for information on All Trails).
The trail is officially designated as a BackCountry trail meaning it is not officially maintained. However the heavy use (in the summer) means the path is well trodden and easy to follow. Markings are clearly laid to enable safe navigation along the 5km (we recorded closer to 6km) journey.
The trail is technically challenging if less challenging then the lung beaters up to a viewpoint or summit. There are many tree roots, streams, creeks and obstacles to navigate keeping the mind occupied and heart racing. I wouldn’t attempt it without crampons (something Navid and I both have)
Navid and I both like a prize at the end of the trail. Not all hikes can end in breathtaking vistas (having said that most in the area do so we are spoilt) but Kennedy Falls is beautiful. I will definitely return in the summer with a 6pack and my floatie (a lilo for us Brits).
And the best thing of the hike? We saw 0 people throughout the 4 hour trip. Not one single person bar a lady walking her dog at the entrance and some foolish mountain bikers near the car park at the end. Compare this to the hell of Quarry Rock. This is heaven.
Some photos of the day. Can you spot the tree that looks like a face?
