Hiking Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint in Coquitlam
Contents
Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint Hike Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10.80Km
Elevation Gain: 610m
Highest Elevation: 932m
Average Gradient: 11.30%
Effort/Reward Ratio: Moderate / Moderate
Time Needed:
– Slow: 4 – 5 Hours
– Moderate: 3 – 4 Hours
– Fast: 2 – 3 Hours
Dogs Permitted?: Yes
Season: Year-Round
4×4 / High Clearance Required? No
Scrambling / Exposure: None
Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint Trail
Trailhead Coordinates: 49°18’49.3″N 122°44’57.3″W
Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint Overview
Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint is a small lookout located in Pinecone Burke Provincial Park near Coquitlam. The viewpoint overlooks Coquitlam Lake (hence the name), as well as a range of forested summits beyond, namely Eagle Mountain, Tangled Summit, Mount Beautiful & Dilly Dally summit. On a clear day you will also be able to see much of Vancouver and Burnaby, all the way out to the Strait of Georgia.
Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint is a moderately popular hike, you’re likely to see some people on a clear day, especially in the summer. There are a number of trails in the area though, with many hikers visiting the nearby Sawblade Falls and Woodland Falls, both of which are easy additions to this hike should you want to extend it slightly. The entire trail is in the forest canopy, making this a good option if you want to avoid the sun or rain (though if it’s raining you likely won’t have any views).
While this is a fairly straightforward hike with a moderate gradient for the most part, much of the trail is in rough shape, with a lot of rocky terrain combined with multiple creek crossings along the way that often overflow onto the trail. In the winter these creeks can freeze, creating an ice rink for large stretches, in which case microspikes are usually necessary.
While Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint is a year-round option, in the winter you will absolutely want to bring microspikes with you as much of the terrain can be icy the nearer you get to the summit. The last 30 vertical meters are very steep and absolutely require microspikes in winter. Poles are highly recommended as well. I’d also avoid this hike after recent rainfall as there is a possibility that the creeks you have to cross over will be fast flowing.
Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint is a 2WD friendly hike (parking can fill up fast on a nice day, get there early) and it’s also pet friendly.
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Is Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint worthwhile?
Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint is a challenging hike to rate. The viewpoint is reasonably nice but certainly not breathtaking, and there isn’t a whole lot to see throughout the trail other than the usual PNW forest. As noted, the trail can be rough as well, so if you like a well groomed path you might want to give this a miss. I’d strongly recommend combining this hike with Sawblade Falls to make it a more worthwhile outing, as the viewpoint alone can be somewhat underwhelming given you’ll have climbed 610m to get there.
I hiked this in the winter and I can confidently say I didn’t enjoy a lot of the hike due to the constant icy terrain and overflowing creeks. I think this is categorically a better summer hike.
How difficult is the hike to Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint?
This is a pretty moderate hike through and through. The ascent is very gradual throughout, with a lot of flat sections sprinkled in to make things easier. The final climb up to the viewpoint is particularly steep but it’s only for around 30 vertical meters.
Technically speaking the hike is quite straightforward as well. The terrain is certainly rough and ready, and there’s potential for the creek crossings to be difficult if it has been raining recently. As mentioned in the winter there is a high probability for several icy sections requiring microspikes. The final 30m climb up is pretty straightforward in summer, but in winter it can be pretty tricky even with microspikes, particularly on the descent.
Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint Route Information
The trailhead for Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint is at the northern end of Harper Road in Coquitlam. This is a mostly paved road, with the last short stretch unpaved, though flat and mostly smooth. Parking here can fill up quickly as it is shared with other outdoor enthusiasts, namely mountain bikers, dog walkers and trail runners. An early start is advised on a sunny day. Unfortunately slightly further along Harper Road is a firing range that is frequently active. If you hear the sounds of gunshot throughout sections of your hike, this is it.
From where you park, continue walking up Harper Road to a junction with an information board and a gate. Keep right at this junction, avoiding the narrow trail in the forest, then follow Harper Access Road for a couple of hundred meters until another junction with a wide gravel road, Woodland Walk.
Turning left onto Woodland Walk you’ll now follow this smooth gravel trail for around 400m before reaching a fork in the trail, with one trail descending to the left and another climbing to the right. There should be some signage here noting that Coquitlam Lake View Trail (CLVT) continues to the right. After following this for around 600m you’ll reach an opening with power lines overhead, where there will be more signage advising to keep right to stay on the CLVT.
The trail now begins to climb a little more steeply, and this is where the terrain starts to get a bit more rough and ready, with a lot of awkward sized rocks that are perfect for rolling an ankle. You’ll also quickly re-enter the forest, where you will remain until the viewpoint.
The next kilometer of the trail climbs at a moderate gradient, crossing several creeks in the process. These creeks can be sizable after recent rainfall, but should be easy enough to cross most of the time. In the winter, large portions of the trail might be a sheet of ice, making microspikes necessary.
At around the 2.5km mark you will reach another fork in the trail where you will again keep right, remaining on the Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint Trail. The gradient picks up slightly, while the trail follows a creek, with the possibility of water/ice flowing down the trail in sections. The next 1.5km will be much the same, following a rugged trail and crossing a few more creeks. You’ll soon pass by the trail to Sawblade Falls, which you’ll want to follow on the return leg if you intend to see them as well. Shortly after this you’ll reach Dry Crossing Falls, which is slightly further upstream of Sawblade Falls. The trail here was very rough at the time of writing due to the atmospheric river of 2021 washing out much of it.
After crossing the river here the trail soon changes from a rocky bed to a narrow forest path, weaving in and out of trees and beginning a much steeper climb. Thankfully it is fairly well flagged, otherwise in the winter especially it might prove difficult to follow. An offline map is recommended either way. After climbing around 175m you’ll reach a ridge where the trail plateaus, following it for another 500m or so in a narrow opening in the forest. At the end of this ridge the trail abruptly turns to the right, with a signpost advising it is just 5 minutes to the viewpoint.
Immediately after this turn the trail becomes exceedingly steep forest travel. Without snow and ice it will no doubt be fine, but in slick conditions it can be quite challenging climbing up this, and even more challenging climbing down. You’ll definitely want to use the nearby trees as handholds, and poles will likely benefit you as well. Thankfully the climb is brief, only 30 vertical meters or so, and soon enough you’ll reach the viewpoint.
From the viewpoint you will have a clear view to the west overlooking Coquitlam Lake and the forested peaks behind. You’ll also see the Lower Mainland to the southwest. The viewpoint itself is quite small and will not accommodate too many people comfortably. There is also a sizable fall so take care with any pets or children.
After finishing up you can simply head back the way you came to the trailhead, or tack on the nearby Sawblade Falls. Woodland Falls is also nearby but nowhere near as nice as Sawblade. I’d suggest returning via the Woodland Walk Lower trail if adding these, it’s far less rugged than the Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint Trail.
When should I hike Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint?
CLVT is a year-round hike, though in winter you should expect to encounter snow for the latter half of the hike at least. Microspikes would be necessary in winter due to the steep icy terrain at the end. For the most part I would try to avoid winter as the trail is not very pleasant when the creeks are frozen and the final climb is very challenging in ice/compact snow. Any other time of year will be fine, though after heavy rainfall you might want to avoid this as some of the creek crossings could be difficult when fast flowing.
Top Tip
I definitely suggest adding on Sawblade Falls and returning via the Woodland Walk Lower Loop. The falls themselves are a worthwhile stop and the Woodland Walk is far more pleasant than the Coquitlam Lake Viewpoint Trail. I could even argue taking the Woodland Walk trail in both directions, though it’s less direct.
