Maps of trails

The Green Timbers trails – Between 100 and 96 Avenues

SALAL TRAIL (1,060 metres)

Salal Trail runs from 100 Avenue to 96 Avenue parallel to 148 Street. From 100 Avenue to Pine Trail the ground was too wet to be conducive to the growth of giant evergreens, as can be seen from the scarcity of old stumps. It was not replanted and is therefore treed with alder, maple and cottonwood. It has a dense cover of Salmonberry shrubs.

South of Pine Trail are numerous nurse logs and stumps which nourish an abundance of Salal, ferns, and Huckleberry bushes broad-leafed Vanilla Leaf, False Azalea, and big-leafed spikey Devil’s Club.

HEMLOCK TRAIL (700 metre)

From Douglas-fir Trail to Pine Trail, this trail follows the demarcation between the mature coniferous forest and the young Red Alder and cottonwood which has grown in since the clearing in 1986. It will be interesting to observe how in time the evergreens which have seeded themselves from the cones of the old forest will take over. These are hemlocks with some red cedar, both of which are shade tolerant. The alder having nitrogen-fixing capability was first to establish itself and provided nutrient for subsequent vegetation. This is an excellent example of the forest “Succession” process in action. South of Pine Trail on enters a typical reforested stand which continues to 96 Avenue (Lots #51 and 55). West of the trail and still north of Cedar Trail is a patch of the rare Coral-root Orchid.

WILLOW TRAIL (960 metres)

Willow Trail follows the east bank of the wetland and the lake, around the south shore and on to 96 Avenue. At this time the trail still awaits final planting along the shoreline. The open meadow slopes will provide habitat for shrews and voles which are the favourite food of the soaring Red-tailed Hawk. Here the raven also flies over.

BIRCH TRAIL (660 metres)

Birch Trail follows the western edge of the wetland to the pump house where it enters a stretch of mature Birch and alder. Here the ground was too moist to sustain the conifer seedlings that were planted in Lt #51. The path follows the line of the buried cable which supplies the well pump house.

DOUGLAS-FIR TRAIL (640 metres)

This trail provides an east-west connection from 148 Street across Salal and Hemlock Trails to Willow Trail, and now extends beyond the 100 Avenue parking lot, and across Huckleberry Trail to 140th Street.  This trail can be likened to a bridge between two moats as water collects on both sides of the trail during heavy rainy periods which then reflects the trees and sky in a glistening shimmer of light.  This trail has a more open feel at the east end as it is closer to  100th and is surrounded by young alders, small maples and younger cedars.  The new trail extension on the west end of this trail has amazing light in the early mornings as the sun comes up. The sunlight filters through the trees and mist to create an amazing glow not to be missed (hmmm).  Not to be outdone by the east side water ways, the west end of this trail also features some new wooden  walking paths and a cute bridge which hovers over a babbling brook for all to enjoy.

PINE TRAIL (670 metres)

This trail provides east-west connections from 148 Street across Salal and Hemlock Trails to Willow Trail where it meets the south end of the lake. Between Salal and Hemlock Trails stretches Lot #52, an experimental plantation of Eastern Red Pine, known for its hard wood.  Numerous edible berries can be found along the east end of this trail, including huckleberry, salmonberry and blackberry bushes along with many species of birds popping in and out of the bushes in the spring and summer while feasting on their abundance.

CEDAR TRAIL (600 metres)

This trail provides east-west connections from 148 Street across Salal and Hemlock Trails to Willow Trail. Between Salal and Hemlock Trails stretches Lot #52, an experimental plantation of Eastern Red Pine, known for its hard wood. The copse has a sparse appearance with little undergrowth. The species appears unsuited to our climate. The straightness of Cedar Trail indicates that it was once a railway bed.  This trail is a majestic trail where a tree canopy has actually grown above the trail.  Hair ice can be found in late fall and early spring on this trail, as well as mature huckleberry and wild blueberry bushes.

These three trails provide east-west connections from 148 Street across Salal and Hemlock Trails to Willow Trail. Between Salal and Hemlock Trails stretches Lot #52, an experimental plantation of Eastern Red Pine, known for its hard wood. The copse has a sparse appearance with little undergrowth. The species appears unsuited to our climate. The straightness of Cedar Trail indicates that it was once a railway bed.

96 AVENUE PATHWAY

A paved pathway which runs for 1240 metres along 96 Avenue from 148 Street to Fraser Highway. It has entry points from south to Willow, Hemlock and Salal Trails.

The Green Timbers trails – South of 96 Avenue

HYDRO RIGHT-OF-WAY (1260 metres)

A paved multi-use pathway which runs from the parking lot on 148 Street, crosses Fraser Highway and continues to 140 Street. At 148 Street a short footpath leads to 96 Avenue. Coyotes are a common sight in this open belt. A project is underway by the Douglas College Urban Ecology Institute to develop the Right-of-Way into a “Green Link” from Tynehead Park to Burns Bog.

CASCARA TRAIL EAST and CASCARA TRAIL WEST

These trails connect the Hydro Right-of-Way pathway across Fraser Highway. On the east portion are several rare Yew Trees.

RAILBED TRAIL (270 metres)

Rail bed Trail follows the old logging railway track, as can be seen form the ditches on each side. The abutment at the crossing of King Creek contains traces of the clinkers that were emptied from the logging engine’s firebox. Presumably this was also where it took on water.

KING CREEK TRAIL (610 metres)

A good entrance point to this trail is where 92 Avenue ends west of 144 Street. The trail follows the east side of King Creek (named after the former King and Farris Sawmill in Newton) and goes through the best example of reforestation as it looks after 65 years (Lots #93 and 94). Here is found the occasional Indian Pipe plant.

SWORD FERN TRAIL (50 metres)

This trail runs along the west side of King Creek and connects Railbed Trail with the footbridge t the south. The forest here is a mix of mature evergreens, deciduous trees, overarching Vine Maple and ferns. The 8-foot wide hollow cedar log referred to elsewhere is located off a ten-yard side trail leading to the creek slightly north of the junction with Maple Trail.

MAPLE TRAIL (80 metres)

Maple Trail extends from Sword Fern Trail to the parking lot of the School Board Conference Centre. As this parking lot is on School Board property, it is not available when the gates are shut. The trail shares the topography of the Sword Fern Trail which tends to be wet. Consequently, many seedlings that were planted there is Lots #95 to 100 were largely overtaken by naturally growing alder, birch, cherry, Broadleaf Maple, Vine Maple and cottonwood. Nevertheless, come Douglas-firs, which were young trees at the time of logging, being well, spaced with abundant light, have grown into some of the finest specimens in the forest.