About
For more info, visit:
http://www.buntzenlake.ca/diez-vistas/
and
Last hike, before the rainy season of Fall/Winter. Come and join us for a bit of a challenging hike for the day. We will have lots of eye candy along the way ... this trail is well-known, for its "10 astonishing perspectives" and is the main essence of the whole hike.
*** Diez Vistas Hike ***
Rating: Moderate – Difficult
Elevation Gain: 440m
HighPoint: 560m
Distance: 15km
Time Needed: 6 – 7 hours
Season: Early spring to late fall
Distance from Vancouver: 40km
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The Sendero Diez Vistas trail, located near the Village of Anmore, will take you on a challenging trek all the way around Buntzen Lake. In addition to the scenery of the lake, there are ten breathtaking views provided along the ridge of the trail looking overlooking the North Shore, Burrard Inlet, the Indian Arm and even Vancouver Island. The hike is aptly named, as ‘Sendero Diez Vistas’ is Spanish for ‘Ten Views Trail’. The challenging, technical terrain of the area make it popular for hikers and also for trail runners.
*** Start hike @ Buntzen Lake! ***
The easiest way to begin is to walk down to shore of the Buntzen Lake South Beach and walk west along the shore past the boat dock. You’ll be forced onto the Energy Trail which you will follow for a little over 1km until you come to a junction and signpost. Follow the signpost directing you onto the Floating Bridge and Westside Trail. Once you’ve crossed the floating bridge there is a service road. Cross the road, and follow the trail uphill. After roughly forty minutes you’ll come out under a power line clearing and a fork in the trail. There will be a sign directing you left for Sasamat Lake, or straight to continue along Diez Vistas Trail.
Continuing on the trail it immediately begins to go up. Up, up, up Buntzen Ridge. This is the steepest part of the hike. The next hour is a steady, uphill climb with plenty of switchbacks. Eventually, you’ll come to the first viewpoint, which actually isn’t one of the ten ‘official’ vistas, but is a beautiful vantage point nonetheless.
About ten minutes past this lookout, there is a fork where you can continue along the ridge or detour to a viewpoint overlooking the south end of Buntzen Lake. If you have time to spare, it is worth detouring to the lookout (dubbed Punta del Este or East Point). Not long after this fork, the trail takes you to the first official viewpoint overlooking the Indian Arm.
You will carry along the ridge, enjoying short treks between each of the remaining viewpoints. Some views are nicer than others, but each offers a different angle and perspective on the surrounding area. The third view is the widest and most spectacular. You can’t miss this viewpoint, and you’ll know you’ve found it when your jaw has dropped to the ground. This view showcases North Vancouver and Deep Cove, the Indian Arm, Burrard Inlet, Burnaby, Vancouver, Vancouver Island and even Sasamat Lake on the far left. It offers a unique and unparalleled view bearing east, that you cannot get from any other point around Vancouver. This is a great spot to grab a snack and regain some energy,
After your break, keep following the trail which will drop down into a saddle before climbing back up the north side of the ridge. Once you have past the final view, the trail will begin to switchback its way back down, steeply, towards Buntzen Lake.
The Diez Vistas trail will end at a BC Hydro service road. Take a right on the road to a pump house and then follow the signs for Buntzen Lake Trail. Here you can either go left, over where the trail will take you over a pipeline and around McCombe Lake. Or, you can go right, which is the more scenic and direct route to the North Beach. If you go right, you will go over a wooden suspension bridge and both trails will meet again at the North Beach.
From here just stay on the trail as it snakes it way along the east side of Buntzen Lake. Your legs will be tired from the ground covered earlier, but there is no more technical terrain and its only about a 50 minute walk from the North Beach until you arrive back at the South Beach, having completed a full loop of the lake. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
As the trail rarely receives snow, this is a good one to leave for the spring or fall to avoid crowds. Or, if you tackle it during the summer, be sure to leave a towel in your car for the finish. Nothing beats a dip in the lake as reward for a great hike on a hot day!
Directions and Parking
The trail begins from the Buntzen Lake parking lot. The easiest way to get there is to take Highway 7A (Barnet Highway) and turn north onto Ioco Road. At the second major intersection on Ioco, the street will bear left, paralleling the inlet. (Careful, if you go straight through the lights you will end up on Heritage Mountain Blvd). Follow Ioco Road until you come to a stop sign at 1st Ave. Turn right onto 1st Ave and then bear right immediately at the fork for Sunnyside Road. Follow the Sunnyside Road up the hill to its end, which will take you right into the park and a large parking lot.
This is a dog and washroom friendly hike. Dogs are to be on leash at all times. Your discretion is advised.
NB* - Rides/Carpooling -
Please leave a comment, if you need a lift to the hike and back. Indicate which area you live in and if you are available to drive others. Thanks.
** Disclaimer **
Please be punctual. We will start at 9:15am the latest. No shows will result in the removal to the Bubbletea Vancouver Group. Hikers are advised to update their RSVPs at least 8 hours prior to the hike commences.
You are responsible for your own safety, hosts/organizers are not held legally liable.
Please be well prepared. Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate. Bring plenty of (H20) fluid, a light snack/lunch, wear comfortable clothing and hiking friendly (appropriate) footwear.
Hats, sunscreen, shades and insect repellent are recommended, but optional.
Thank you!
Looking forward to see you all there. :)
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Hike! - Diez Vistas (Buntzen Lake)
