Cypress Top Lookout to Deep Cove, 33 Km

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the same weather for race day that we had on Sunday? Cool, misty, and not too wet on the trail seemed perfect for any day of running in fact. And so thought about 60 people that joined us for our mostly downhill 33 km run to Deep Cove. For some reason this is always a training run with a big turnout. But there was something new this year: the old dirt parking lot on Cypress has been paved! And now we all have to pay for it. As we gathered on the hill we found out that $3 was required for the parking privilege so we scrambled about getting just the right coins to fill the machine (no credit cards allowed unfortunately).

For the run briefing I was unrelenting to point out that we must stay in groups for these runs. You may not realize this but every Sunday someone gets lost or a group deviates from the trail without knowing. I asked everyone to practice staying together to get ready for our big run next Sunday on Black Mountain and beyond. If you’ve never been up there you will be very surprised how hard it is to find the trail when there is still snow covering the markers and the trail. So please be careful.

We also had people finding out, once again, how important it is to take enough food and water as the runs get longer and longer. For all you road runners turned trail runners, perhaps you're not used to being out there for so very long. But there's quite a difference between a 2, 3 or even 4 hour run to what we are now doing as 5, 6 and 7 hour rough trail runs. I suggest you take two water bottles and more than enough food each time. And when you get a good chance to fill your bottle (from a tap), take it. And drink a bit extra at the time. We were actually very lucky to have had such a cool day so water didn’t become a very big issue. But imagine being on Black Mountain, very much in the wilderness, and lost for awhile.  By the time you get to the next proper water stop you're going to be very thirsty and hungry, especially if it is a hot sunny day.

For the run on Sunday, I know of at least two groups that wandered off the beaten path. After following the Trans Canada Trail at the start, up, down and around the power line route, we finally hooked up with the Baden Powell to start the descent to Cleveland Dam. I was sweeping and holding back the urge to blast down one of my favourite trails just above the British Properties of West Vancouver. We got a surprise as 4 or 5 fellas popped up behind us going full speed. We didn’t have a chance to ask where they came from. It was either an intentional jaunt up the Hollyburn Chute or maybe they were one of the misplaced groups. Either way, they were long gone before we could say Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run.

I cruised into Cleveland Dam just ahead of Carolyn, Marla, and Cary who were hoping that Carolyn’s husband Neil would be there to be their aid station. I told Neil the ladies were way behind and he didn't hesitate to maintain his patience. But of course they came in a few moments later and had a short break. As we started our long walk up Nancy Greene Way to Grouse Mtn, we left Neil to hurry up and wait again for our next rendezvous at Seymour Road. We wisely walked all the way up the road while strategizing for race day. After quite a few chances at this race to prove myself, I assured the ladies that a nice walk is well deserved here and all that is really necessary before hitting the even steeper slopes of the BP once again.

We stuck together with a couple of other ladies for quite a while but somewhere around Lynn Canyon I started dragging my butt and fell back a bit. And I found myself enjoying more than the good company and the trail, as many of the salmon berries were in full ripeness.

I didn't catch the ladies but I did come across Andrew Wong (esteemed banquet coordinator for race day) and his group hiking down the Seymour Grind. They seemed cheery and willing to have a laugh. But I'm sure they could tell I had come a long way so far and was anxious to finish. I crossed over the new wooden bridges we had built recently on our Trail Maintenance day and headed up to the top of the trail for the last descent.

Thankfully the others were still waiting for me and were happy to stop for a hot coffee and treats before aiming the car back to reality. We also had a visit from Gottfried who said that he lost his glasses somewhere along the route on Sunday. If you found them please let me know. If you’ve found (or lost) anything else on the trail along the way please also let me know. I do recall that a glove was found on the May 20 run up Grouse so please tell me if you’re missing that so I can connect you with the finder.

One last thing, I have a report from our good friends Colin and Scott that ran the first ¾'s on June 16. Colin says,

"As expected there was lots of snow shortly after Eagle bluffs.  Navigation was tricky as there were no tracks to follow.  We played a game of who can spot the next Orange marker (note some of the orange markers are under snow).  We only got off track a couple of times where we had to backtrack our steps until we got back on path again. Once you come out at Eagle chair [at the ski run] there is lots of construction due to the Olympics.  It is a little unclear what route to follow down to the lodge. Most of the trail from the Downhill area to Hollyburn is clear of snow. However, the problem with this section is the storms we had back in November. The trail is covered with blow down and again navigation is tricky at times. Nothing has been cleared on this trail as it has been covered in snow until recently. Just before Hollyburn there is a bridge you cross and on the other side of the bridge the snow begins again.  Next weekend expect a longer than usual run and be ready to spend time in the snow, bring gloves etc.  It took me 6 hours and 10 min to get from the start to Mountain Hi-way. This included time spent looking for my phone which I dropped and we had to back track to find."

By the way, Colin and Scott are two of the fastest and strongest trail runners I know. And they both know the trail quite well. So judge your time accordingly.

That's it for now. Please come very well prepared for the next run. See you at Lynn Canyon at 7:00 am on June 24 to meet for carpooling. The parking lot is usually open but if not, please meet right outside the gate and be mindful of the neighbours that are still sleeping and wondering who all the scantily clad people are gathering outside their homes.

Craig Moore

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