While it’s still officially winter for a short while longer, it sure feels like spring today; clear blue skies, the first flowers are blooming and there’s lots of wildlife activity throughout the day. If you are like most, you want to head outside to take advantage of the longer days.
For getting around Stanley Park it’s useful with a map because at times you are deep into the forest without a mountain or city view that will tell whether you’re looking north or south. The City of Vancouver has a great trail map available that tells you where all the main points of interest are; click here to download the map or pick it up from the Info Booth on Park Drive, just down from the Aquarium.
Nature Vancouver’s guidebook “Discovering Nature in Stanley Park” is another great resource for anybody who’s keen to get to know the Park better; where to find wildlife or the big old trees and how to get around the Park. The book is available from Harbour Publishing, but you can also head down to the Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon to get your own copy. The Nature House is open on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm.
One of our favourite walks is described in this book. It’s called “Two Lakes and Big Trees” and takes just over one hour to complete (longer if you stop to look at wildlife!). This is a great way to experience Lost Lagoon, the interior of the forest, wetlands and Beaver Lake. A good starting point is the Nature House (below the viewing plaza that overlooks Lost Lagoon at Chilco and Alberni). Walk along the trail that follows the northeastern shore of Lost Lagoon until you get to Tatlow Walk. Follow this trail for a bit until you get to Lees Trail on your left. Look out for big red cedars along the way, and turn north when you get to Bridle Path (watch out for bikes). Follow this path until you get to a trail that’ll take you over the busy Causeway. You are now on Lake Trail. Follow this trail along the northern and eastern shore of Beaver Lake. Don’t forget to look out for Vancouver’s only native squirrel, the small Douglas squirrel; and if you arrive just around dusk, you may also spot one of the lake’s resident beavers. Head back to where you came from by following South Creek Trail which will take you through the Rose Garden to Lost Lagoon. Enjoy!