6 Issues To Do At Kanaka Creek Regional Park

Cliff Falls. Picture: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca

Kanaka Creek Regional Park in Maple Ridge protects a slim hall of coastal rainforest alongside the banks of Kanaka Creek. Admire the sculpted sandstone waterfall, look ahead to wildlife, go for a hike, and plenty extra.

Learn how to Get to Kanaka Creek Regional Park

By automobile: The park stretches alongside Kanaka Creek and has many entry factors. Driving instructions for the three predominant viewpoints are as follows: From Vancouver, take Freeway 7 (Lougheed Freeway) east via Pitt Meadows to Maple Ridge.

To get to the Riverfront portion of the park, keep on Freeway 7 via Maple Ridge. Simply after the intersection of Freeway 7 and Kanaka Means, cross a bridge over Kanaka Creek. Flip proper instantly onto River Street. Cross the practice tracks, then flip proper into the signed parking zone.

To achieve the Cliff Falls part of the park, comply with Freeway 7 via Maple Ridge, then flip left onto Dewdney Trunk Street. Flip proper on 252 Road and comply with it because it curves to grow to be 117 Avenue after which 251 Road. On the nook of 251 Road and 116 Avenue, go straight into the parking zone.

For the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre portion of the park, comply with Freeway 7 via Maple Ridge, then flip left onto Dewdney Trunk Street. Flip proper on 256 Road. A couple of minutes later search for the signed parking zone in your left.

By bus: You may get to the Cliffs Falls part of the park on public transit by taking the 701 bus from Coquitlam Central Station to Dewdney Trunk Street at 250 Road, then strolling about quarter-hour to the doorway. You may also take the R3 bus from Coquitlam Central Station, then the 746 bus to Lougheed Freeway at Tamarack Place, which is a 3-minute stroll from the Riverfront part of the park.

Ideas for Visiting

• Go to the park web site and use the park map to plan your journey.
• The park gate opens at 7 a.m. every day and closes within the early night. Closing occasions fluctuate with the season. Examine opening hours on the park web site so that you don’t get locked in.
• Canine have to be on leash within the park.
• Smoking, vaping, hashish, drones, alcohol, and amassing vegetation usually are not allowed.
• There are washrooms on the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre, the Riverfront parking space, and at Cliff Falls.
• Be secure within the park. AdventureSmart recommends bringing a backpack with important security and first support gear on each hike. Examine the forecast and pack further clothes for the climate. Go away a visit plan so somebody is aware of the place you’re going and when you’ll be again.
• Learn our suggestions for secure spring mountaineering in Vancouver.

Stroll to Cliff Falls

One of many highlights of the park is Cliff Falls. The falls are pretty brief, however the geology is spectacular. Kanaka Creek runs via a sandstone canyon and on the falls the speeding waters have sculpted a sequence of hollows and bowls. You’ll be able to attain the falls by strolling alongside the Canyon Path for about 5 minutes from the Cliff Falls parking space. When you begin on the Watershed Stewardship Centre, it’s a 1.5 km hike alongside the Canyon Path.

Go to the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre

This contemporary complicated homes the Bell-Irving Fish Hatchery in addition to indoor areas for group applications. The Kanaka Training and Environmental Partnership Society (KEEPS) commonly holds teaching programs on-site. See their web site for upcoming occasions or drop by on April 29 for the Goodbye Friends salmon launch occasion. Exterior the centre, you’ll be able to wander via the grounds, landscaped to handle stormwater, and browse interpretive plaques.

Look ahead to Birds and Wildlife on the Riverfront

The Riverfront part of the park options three kilometres of trails across the mouth of Kanaka Creek and on the banks of the Fraser River. Two statement towers make nice viewpoints to observe for wildlife like coyotes, hawks, eagles, nice blue herons, and lots of species of geese.

Paddle a Canoe or Kayak

If in case you have your individual canoe or kayak, you’ll be able to launch on the Riverfront part of the park, then paddle up the calm waters of the creek for just a few kilometres. Look ahead to younger salmon swimming under your boat!

Go for a Hike

Kanaka Creek Regional Park has 11.8 km of mountaineering trails unfold throughout the park. An important loop leaves from the Watershed Stewardship Centre on the Canyon Path, traverses the north facet of the creek on the Pine Ridge and North Fork Loop Trails, then crosses the creek once more to the viewing space at Cliff Falls. The ultimate leg of the hike follows the Canyon Path again to the Watershed Stewardship Centre. This route is 3 km lengthy and can take about an hour.

Have a Picnic

Carry lunch and have a picnic within the park. There are a number of areas with picnic tables. You’ll be able to take pleasure in your meal in a grassy clearing close to the speeding waters of Cliff Falls. Or head to the Riverfront part the place there are picnic tables close to the parking space in addition to alongside the river.

By: TARYN EYTON
Initially printed at Inside Vancouver