Hanes Valley loop Report

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961]

To start! Stats and direction: Started at Grouse base and took Baden Powell to Lynn -> Norvan -> Hanes -> called it at chalet since I was pretty done. So I feel I have to go again to close the loop fully.

Distance: 25.04km Elevation: 1754m Time: 6h27m

Spent most of the hike alone on Baden Powell, lots of people on Lynn Valley walk to Norvan falls - shout out to the dudes I won’t describe who yelled “hey bear” after I passed them and laughed at that..I hope you’ve always get little rock’s in your shoes that you can never get out.

Hanes was Really well Marked and flagged all the way through, the log bridge was easy to navigate, and the view when the trail opens up to the valley was incredible. I’m gonna to hike this again without any doubt.

The rock/boulder field was well marked but you get a lot of sun, the ascent was a punishing but fun. It makes you earn it. I had some fun with the echos you get near the top of the climb, still can’t get over how lovely the view was.

I went through 4.2L of water on a cool day, brought lots of energy bars and gels and used most.

Thanks for reading!

[u/BooBoo_Cat]

Gorgeous photos! Unfortunately this is a hike that I don't think I could ever do. Thanks for sharing the photos.

[u/StrictWolverine8797 → u/BooBoo_Cat]

It is definitely doable - especially if you do it later in September when it is cooler. The boulder field is a slog but because you have to move slowly (to watch your footing), I wouldn't say it's that strenuous in terms of cardio. The worst part about it is if you're doing it on a sunny day because it is so exposed - I wouldn't have wanted to do it today.

[u/BooBoo_Cat → u/StrictWolverine8797]

I can't hike for longer than about 6 hours. And I am short, so it takes me MUCH longer to hike rougher terrain, because I can't easily step up/over/down rocks, logs, etc. So if it took YOU 6.5 hours, it's going to take me at least 8. Not doable for me -- I am not an advanced hiker. I am decent, but not advanced. (I also go super slow on inclines.)

[u/StrictWolverine8797 → u/BooBoo_Cat]

Yeah I think it does take longer than 6 hours even for a fast hiker. Though I am short too! Only 5'1"! One thing I liked about Hanes was that the first leg (through Lynn Headwaters Park) is on very well groomed trails and the trails in the valley are also quite nice.

[u/BooBoo_Cat → u/StrictWolverine8797]

I am a fast walker and can do flat ground quickly, but I am a slow hiker when it comes to inclines. What I may do is try part of it.

Last week, some friends and I tried part of Lynn Peak. We knew we would NOT complete it, that it was too hard and long for us. But we hiked about 2.5 hours up, and then back down. We at least tried a harder trail but with ensuring we could get back safely and within our time constraint.

[u/StrictWolverine8797 → u/BooBoo_Cat]

Yes that's a great idea - my friend did part of Hanes, starting from Lynn up to the viewpoint in OP's picture - it's basically flat until that point, though there is the creek crossing. She got the view then turned around and hiked back to Lynn.
You could also see what your time is at Norvan Falls and then decide whether you want to go further.

[u/BooBoo_Cat → u/StrictWolverine8797]

To challenge myself, I may one day try hiking to the Hanes Valley Junction and then back. I can do Norvan Falls, so might as well try going just a little past. But Hanes Valley Trail will be beyond my skill level.

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961 → u/BooBoo_Cat]

Could go in reverse? Gondola up at grouse, alpine trail to crown connector, take Hanes down so you get all that view, then Norvan back and Baden Powell or uber out. :)

Don’t need to take the route I did.

[u/BooBoo_Cat → u/Infamous-Echo-2961]

That still might be too long!

[u/SingleCanadianDad → u/Infamous-Echo-2961]

I’ve done it a bunch of times from Lynn to Grouse and once in reverse (Grouse to Lynn). Trust me when I say that hiking down the boulder field is significantly worse than hiking up it.

[u/PragmaticBodhisattva → u/StrictWolverine8797]

Thoughts on doing it in September even though there is less light? Tbh I was debating waiting until next year now for any of the longer slog hikes

[u/StrictWolverine8797 → u/PragmaticBodhisattva]

We did it in mid-September last year, but made sure we left early and got to the trailhead by 8:30am. We had plenty of time - took the gondola down from Grouse Mountain.

[u/tdmalone]

I think I spoke to you on Hanes! You told me your route and I probably told you I’d just done Crown and was finishing at Lynn.

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961 → u/tdmalone]

Was I wearing the red Salomon vest and yellow shirt with a white hat?

[u/tdmalone → u/Infamous-Echo-2961]

I have no idea. I just remembered the conversations 😆

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961 → u/tdmalone]

Wait, were you the guy I said that you’re the first person I’ve seen in hours while we were just below the real work in the rock field? Haha

[u/tdmalone → u/Infamous-Echo-2961]

Someone did say that to me but I think it was someone else! I gave him/(you?) a fright coming out behind a boulder… and mentioned that I’d seen a few people ahead.

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961 → u/tdmalone]

I think that was me man! Haha

Both of our first time doing the hike! Hope you had a great journey man!

[u/cakedotavi]

Glad you had a great time. It's one of my favorite trails.

If you start early from Lynn headwaters you can do the rock slide in shade. It was almost fully shaded when I finished at 10:20am last week - but not much past that.

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961 → u/cakedotavi]

I was in the grouse area last weekend too, may have crossed your path! The convos with hikers coming out of the valley cemented my wanting to give it a run!

[u/cakedotavi → u/Infamous-Echo-2961]

I was wearing a white hat with a sun cape most of the time, except for the chain section coming out of crown pass. May have chatted indeed!

[u/Phillip-O-Dendron]

That first photo looks straight outta Hawaii. Awesome pic. Gotta love the west coast rainforest ❤

[u/BooBoo_Cat → u/Phillip-O-Dendron]

I am picturing dinosaurs in the distance!

[u/cakedotavi]

"I hope you get little rocks in your shoes you can never get out" is an amazing curse to place on hikers - hah.

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961]

Apparently the last photo is “chicken of the woods” and If prepped right is very edible…I’m disappointed I didn’t know when I saw it.

It’s at the log bridge for anyone keen for a feast

[u/chronic-munchies → u/Infamous-Echo-2961]

Definitely chicken of the woods! Good eye

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961 → u/chronic-munchies]

I’ll give credit to a family member for calling that out. If I had known, I’d have foraged it myself.

[u/h333h333]

Did you cross paths with a white dude alone wearing a blue Vancouver Sun Run shirt? That was my husband! He had a lovely time doing the hike today.

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961 → u/h333h333]

I’m not sure! I came across a few groups, it one one solo, and he wasn’t wearing a sun run shirt :(

[u/_Tar_Ar_Ais_]

Great photos. I last did this in 2018 and like you didn't encounter a single soul until I got to that section with the chains to climb up . Hung around at gondola for a bit savoring a coke and these tourists who just got there asked me "what did you go through" lol

[u/CasualRampagingBear]

The first pic, I’ve filtered water from that spot and it’s some of the best tasting water I’ve ever had. Super cold and almost ‘sweet’ tasting

This is one of my favourite hikes on the North Shore because it has so many variables. You hike in on a popular trail, get so remote there’s no cell service, and then finish at a bustling tourist hub. Go from forest loam to hand over foot scrambles, it’s such a mix. I’ve yet to see the elusive mountain goats that sometimes frequent the cliffs surrounding the valley. Great pics!

[u/vancitysascha604]

I remeber being in the rockfield and climbing it which ended me at the top of grouse mountain after some more hiking. I started in Lynn Valley. Is this the same way you went ? I would like to do it again but I don't feel confident about the direction I was going. Any help on what I should look up to plan my hike?

[u/Infamous-Echo-2961 → u/vancitysascha604]

I started at grouse and ended at grouse, so direction wise, it is the same.

I started grouse and refilled water at Lynn Valley, and ran most of the Norvan trail to get through it sooner. I think the only easier way to approach it, is to go in reverse to get around the incline.

[u/chasingmyowntail]

Did it on Mother’s Day a few years ago.

[u/po-laris]

My favourite part of this hike is that I did it once and never need to do it again. Glad you had a good time, though.

[u/Foreign-Landscape-47]

A great hike for anyone’s bucket list.