This North Vancouver route is relatively tame, focusing on cheeky connections and short sections of neighbourhood trail rather than sustained hike-a-bike or massive elevation. It’s a good choice if you’re short on time or want something approachable. It shares the descent with Balloon Loop but with a more westward, and gentler, climb. Don’t worry though, the climb still has its challenging moments! This route is a PG-13 version of a Grouse route that Rob (co-founder of BPC) has been working on, sharing the lower sections but cutting out the more challenging (and less rideable) north bit up to the powerlines.
The climb starts out a short distance west from Mosquito Creek, using lesser known trail cuts up to the highway. The final push to the highway is a bit of a doozy, and no doubt the passing drivers will wonder why you emerged from the woods like that.
Across the highway, you will drop down a steep connector to reach the trail along Mosquito Creek that even I won’t try riding without a mountain bike.
The route now reaches William Griffen park where a rather hidden trail entrance along the sports field will take you up along a lovely wooded ridge, shown below.
The climb continues up Mosquito Creek for a short bit, but then cuts across upper Lonsdale to reach a series of short but fun neighbourhood trails that descend back down to the highway. Keep a curious eye out for these little trails, for example below:
When descending towards Loutet, you can hop onto the other side of the fence where opportunity presents to find a really lovely trail that towers above the ‘Cut’ on Hwy 1. Here you will feel pity for the normies driving along the highway while you play in the forest above them.
