This trip was most recently undertaken on Saturday May 15, 1999 - it's total distance was about 30KM - The mileage can be increased or decreased as a number of options present themselves - because the weather was turning inclement it was done as a straight out and back but I will include a couple of return options. This trip could be done as a hike and the portion along the Dam Road is also accessible to to in line skaters.
THE SEYMOUR FALLS DAM ROAD IS OPEN TO CYCLISTS AND IN LINE SKATERS ONLY IN THE EVENING AND ON WEEKENDS PASS THE RICE LAKE TURNOFF - IT IS WELL SIGN POSTED.
Trip start point - Riverside Drive and the Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver.
Cross the Dollarton Highway and cycled uphill to the crossing of the Mt. Seymour Blvd - there is a traffic signal here. You will continue to climb gently up Riverside drive and past many views of the Seymour River for about 2KM when you will reach the end of the road - please note that while you can start you ride anywhere along Riverside Drive - the upper part of the road has enforced parking restrictions from May 15 - Sept. 15 - if you disobey them you may get towed.
You are now about to enter the Seymour Demonstration forest which until about ten years ago was off limits to the general public as it was deemed part of the Greater Vancouver watershed area - much discussion has taken place recently about whether this area should be fully protected as a regional park but the District is reluctant to do so as it feels a second dam on the Seymour may be needed sometime in the next fifty years for more water for the thirsty growing population of the Greater Vancouver area - a small victory was achieved as the area is now known as the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve
At the gate and trail junction turned right and follow the Baden Powell trail for .02KM then turn left at the signed turnoff for the Twin Bridges trail - 1.6KM away along an old road bed which follows the Seymour River until the Twin Bridges are reached - there are a couple of signed turnoffs to the right leading steeply uphill to the horse and trail network on lower Mount Seymour before you reach the Twin Bridges crossing . There is only one of the bridges left and it has been upgraded - the only remnants of the other bridge are some concrete pillars - the remaining framework was removed a few years ago when the area was opened to the public.
Cross the bridge and continue straight ahead - to the right is the Fishermen's hiking trail along the river to the Spur 4 bridge - please respect the rules and don't get fined - NO BIKES ON THIS TRAIL - you will start a 2km uphill climb - steep in places that some may have to walk there bikes for short periods.
After 2 km you will come to the overflow parking lot for the Rice Lake/Seymour Falls trailhead and then to the main trailhead for this area. This could be an alternate stop if you want a shorter trip of about 22 Km up and back to the dam or a short hike around Rice Lake or even access to adjacent Lynn Headwaters regional park and Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. There are needless to say many recreational opportunities from this trailhead.
There are washrooms here at the trail head.
The 11KM ride up to the Seymour Falls Dam is on payment and except for one steep S curve up and down near the 4.5 KM mark where in line skaters are required to take off their blades the ride is a pleasant trip with many info stops .
At the bottom of the hill on the S curve a short gravel spur leads down to the River and the Spur 4 crossing of the Seymour River - the Fisherman's Hiking trail meets the spur just before the bridge.
If you cross the bridge - there are some other gravel spurs that can be explored but the regional district doesn't seem to be encouraging travel in this area possibility out of fear that inexperienced weekenders will go off trail and get lost on the lower slopes of Mount Seymour - on another trek I will provided some off road options in this area.
Cycled or walk your bike up to remainder of the S curve to the mid - valley viewpoint - on a clear day you will get some spectacular views of the peaks in the area - there are rest rooms at the viewpoint and a couple of picnic tables.
Follow the mid valley spur back onto the main road and continue some 5 KM until you reach the Seymour Falls Dam/Salmon Hatchery turnoff. This is the end of your ride - enjoy the views of the Falls and be sure to take in the Hatchery - there is also a new HIKING ONLY TRAIL - from the Hatchery back to the main road around KM10 - through some old growth forest - it's worth the while to WALK your bike along the trail.
From the dam area viewpoint you will see Coliseum Mt. up to your left - if you could climb this and come down on the other side you would be near Norvan Falls in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park - it is a long trip because there is no way that you can get a private vehicle up the road to shorten the trip and Lynn Headwaters would allow bikes on their trails which would shorten the travel time to do this loop.
As you retrace you route -there are many side spurs off the mainline