Note to readers: Certain passages have been redacted to preserve secrecy.

This month’s outing was a far cry from last month’s hike, which was done under unrelenting rain.  Lured by promises of local secrets and charms, 16 Loopers gathered at the Myrtle Park Water Park where we were greeted by our charming host Michael.  Resisting the lure of the water park we headed out across Deep Cove Road and up a paved trail.  A short way along the trail we took an unmarked trail to the right.  It was once locally known as the “secret trail” because it provided locals with a little travelled alternative route to Quarry Rock.  Over the years it has become less of a secret and has taken on other names.

We made our way on a series of trails across to the Old Buck trailhead.  Along the way we passed a large concrete cistern. This is a location where used to gather and .

Being careful to avoid over-enthusiastic mountain bikers, we headed up to the Bridle Path trail, which we followed west along the north side of Northlands Golf Course. Along the trail an eagle-eyed Looper spotted a pile of wreckage nearby. This was the remains of a truck that got there when .

Turning south, we continued to McCartney Creek Park where a shady picnic bench provided a pleasant spot for a snack break.

Resuming the walk after the break, we turned eastward into what we half-jokingly referred to as a mine field. This was the old Blair Rifle Range, used by the Canadian Armed Forces for military training from the 1930s to 1960s. The trail had been closed for several days while the Department of National Defence searched the area for unexploded ordnance, an ongoing project. The work involves clearing underbrush and removing any debris found. On the Friday before our walk, they found an unexploded mortar shell and detonated it on the spot. While walking through the area we could see that much of the underbrush had been cut back, and there was flagging marking areas where something had been found.

Emerging unscathed from the rifle range we continued along the south side of the golf course, eventually emerging, via a “secret” entrance at the northwest corner of Parkgate Village.

We crossed Mount Seymour Parkway and walked south through a residential area to the Roche Point trail. At the point where the trail turned east there was a large tree that contains an eagle’s nest where several families have been raised over the years.

After crossing Dollarton Highway we made our way into Cates Park. The park has many interesting (and charming) features. There are lovely views over Burrard Inlet, a popular boat-launching ramp, and Wally’s Burgers. There is a also large jade boulder that serves as a war memorial. Installed in 2014, it serves as a focal point for the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies at the park, which are attended by a flotilla of boaters as well as others on shore.

There is also another memorial in the park, this one to the author Malcolm Lowry. He lived for a number of years in a squatter’s shack along the shore nearby. The shacks were there from the 1930s to the mid-1950s when the squatters were forced to leave. When hearing about the impending evictions Lowry apparently said :” ”

Another popular spot in the northern part of the park is a large circular concrete structure that looks like the ruins of a castle or fort. Popular with children, it is actually the remains of an old beehive burner that was part of the sawmill that occupied the site in the early 1900s.

After emerging from the park we headed north back to Deep Cove along city streets. This was the hottest part of the day, with little or no shade, but we were buoyed by the promise of cold beverages at the Raven Pub. Along the way we passed a plaque marking the site of the Dollar Mill. At Baker View Street we strained, unsuccessfully, to see the distant mountain through the haze, but the locals assured us it was visible on a clear day.

Before heading for some well-earned refreshments, we took a brief diversion down a lane to view a large green whale.

Two Loopers chose to do their own version of the walk, about half the length of the main one, and using a different route.

At the pub we joined the two Loopers who had done their own version of the walk as well as a couple of others who had been unable to join us.

Photo credits to: Michael, Jean, Angela H, Bruce, Adrienne, David S, Jon