Baden-Powell Trail

The Baden-Powell Trail is a rugged but well-maintained trail that traverses Greater Vancouver's North Shore region. It was named after Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the world Scouting Movement.

Geography

The trail is about forty-eight kilometres long, extending (west to east) from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Deep Cove in the District of North Vancouver. In between, the trail winds through the heavily forested North Shore Mountains. It also connects with several other local trails.

Points of interest

There are a number of scenic vistas and points of interest along the way. These include:
* the summit of Black Mountain (1217m)
* crossing the Capilano River by way of the Cleveland Dam
* the Grouse Grind, a challenging vertical trail at Grouse Mountain
* the Powerline Trail east of the dam
* the famous Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
* a section along Lynn Creek
* a narrow bridge crossing the Seymour Canyon
* the Quarry Rock lookout in Deep Cove

Identifying the trail

The trail is well marked with bright orange triangular tags that are attached to trees alongside the trail. In addition, regular signposts indicate directions and provide distance measurements. A number of stairways and bridges are installed along the trail to make it passable in steep, difficult, or dangerous terrain. However, the trail surface is by no means completely clear; there are a great many obstacles such as exposed roots, large rocks, and massive mud puddles. Some sections of the trail are especially steep and can feel somewhat exposed.

Events

Every year, an extremely demanding cross-country trail running race known as the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run (or Knee Knacker) is conducted along the full length of the Baden-Powell Trail.

ee also

*Scouting in British Columbia

External links

* [http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/BadenPowellTrail/ Pictures of the Baden-Powell Trail] .
* [http://www.dnv.org/article.asp?c=422&a=524 District of North Vancouver Trails]
* [http://www.kneeknacker.com/ The Knee Knacker Race]