Metro Vancouver Parks Series: Lighthouse Park
byThank you to everyone who has contributed so far to the park series. If you have a favourite and would like to write about it, please contact me.
Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver
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How to get there by transit: 250 Horseshoe Bay from Downtown or 250 from Horseshoe bay to Vancouver (non-express).
Size: 75 hectares/185 acres
Features and selling points: The perfect mini-hike for an afternoon is following the 5km network of pathways at Lighthouse Park to experience the beauty and majesty of its old growth forest which reveal one of the most spectacular views around.
History: “Charted and named by Captain George Vancouver in 1792, Point Atkinson was an ideal geographic aid to shipping as colonial activity in the area increased. Late in the 19th century, the Government of Canada set aside 75 hectares as a lighthouse reserve, preserving the area for the park we enjoy today. The park is maintained by the Municipality, which leases it from the Department of National Defence. The park derives its name from Point Atkinson, one of Canada’s first manned lightstations. While a lighthouse has been on Point Atkinson since 1874, the current lighthouse was built in 1912, the year West Vancouver became a separate municipality. The lighthouse is a municipal landmark and can be seen from several viewpoints in the park. Old military buildings can be found near the lighthouse, remnants of the site’s military importance during World War II.” – [West Vancouver Parks]
Notes: As John and I have yet to make it past the parking lot of Lighthouse Park, these are some photos snapped by some other local bloggers. It’s definitely at the top of the list for our next day trip around the region. This forest and view are not to be missed.
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I’ve been here. The girlfriend took me there in January (or feb) but we took a side trail into the park (the one less traveled). It does offer a great view of the west end as well as the UBC part of Vancouver.
Lighthouses are pretty popular among some people. We just don’t have enough of them. But I tend to like the various styles of them anyway.
Thanks for pointing to Lighthouse Park, a place I haven’t been in decades. In the rush to Horseshoe Bay or up the Sea-to-Sky, it’s easy to forget to make this wae but oh so beautiful detour.
There are a few rock climbing routes in Lighthouse Park too (by Jupiter’s Point). It’s a very good destination for mid afternoon or after work climbing.
http://tawcan.blogspot.com/2007/05/fun-packed-week.html
‘beca
Lighthouse Park is our favorite hike and very close to home. You really need to get out of the parking lot. The best views of the Point Atkinson Light are from East Beach. West beach is also good for pictures of the lighthouse. Go in the afternoon when the sun is to the west and illuminating the tower. Morning sun is on the tower from East Beach.
The most interesting place in Lighthouse Park is Star Boat Cove off the Valley Trail. Most of Lighthouse Park has rocky outcrops at the water line. There is actually a beach at Star Boat Cove that is tens of meters wide and about 10 meters deep at high tide. There is a portion of an old boiler at the waterline. I suspect it is from the wood fueled boiler originally used to for the steam-powered foghorn.
The places to visit in lighthouse park in order of ease of getting there are the Lighthouse viewpoint via Beacon Lane Trail, East Beach via Valley Trail, West Beach via Seven Sisters Trail, Starboat Cove via Arbutus Trail, Shore Pine Point via Shore Pine Trail, Juniper Point via Juniper Loop and Eagle Point via Valley of the Giants Trail or via Arbutus Trail.
I was at Eagle Point last weekend (12-Apr-08) and there were some sort of Fawn or Trout Lily in bloom. Very nice.
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