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Distance: 13, 8.5 or 6 km loop
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult in parts
(6 km loop is easy)
By Heather Macdonald

If you haven't been up Brothers Creek Trail on Cypress, it's a beautiful marked trail that's worth the trip. The terrain is technical and varied with lakes, falls, rooty sections, rocky roads and streams to cross. There are three loops provided here, depending on the distance you want to go. The 13 km loop is a gradual ascent to Lost Lake with an elevation gain of about 560 metres. The 8.5 km loop is also a gradual ascent with an elevation gain of about 430 metres. Both have long descents back to your starting point. The 6 km loop is an easy hike from Hollyburn over to Lost Lake with minimal elevation gain.

The falls are on Brothers Creek Trail so if you are doing the 6 km loop, go down the trail a ways if you want to see them.

The trailhead for the 13 km and 8.5 km loops is in West Vancouver on Millstream Road at 1119 where a gate marks the trail. There's limited parking there so car pooling is a good idea.

At First Lake near the Hollyburn Lodge, take a moment to talk to the forest ranger as you pass by the forestry cabin on your way down Old Forks. He's an amusing guy and he knows a lot about the area. He'll help you get lost if you're not already.

You'll see hikers on most trails. Dogs are okay.

Tips
For the 13 km loop, coming back on Skyline, watch for your trail on the left as it winds in and out from the power lines. If you find you are going down for a long ways, you have probably gone off your trail. Also, Old Forks from Hollyburn empties out onto a service road. Turn right on the road and look for the chalet with the green roof on your left. Just past that chalet about 25 m along, you'll find Old Forks Trail continuation on your left. If you reach Cypress Parkway, you have gone too far.

For the 8.5 km loop, when you are returning on Baden-Powell (joins the West Lake Trail) , watch for the B-P markers. Some posts may indicate B-P to Craigmohr Road and that is the general direction you are going until you turn down to Millstream after crossing Brothers Creek.

Route Descriptions

• 13km Trail
  
• 8.5km Trail
  
• 6km Trail