Lyon Lake Loop

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: advanced ESTIMATED TIME: 2.5 hour ride/17 km

ACCESS: Follow Highway 101, 13 km. west of Sechelt and turn right at Trout Lake road. Trout Lake road becomes the Halfmoon Bay Forest Service Rd. Proceed up the main branch for 16 km. Take the left fork 500 m. past the power lines and proceed to the next fork. This second fork is the start and finish of the loop. For safety reasons please ensure that your vehicle is completely off the road. The Halfmoon Bay F.S. Rd. has been deactivated to “easy” four-wheel drive: it should not be attempted in a conventional vehicle.

ROUTE: The trail is best ridden clockwise. Follow the left fork of the road and follow the markers on the main line for approximately 5.1 km. At this point you are rewarded with views of Pender Harbour and Sakinaw Lake. Also this portion of the road becomes steep and gravely and should be approached with caution. Follow the right fork along the Caren Main and proceed for 1.5 km. where the road forks and you again keep right. A further 2 km. through some old growth is another. Keep to the right. This begins the most confusing section of the loop where one could easily take the wrong turn. Follow the skid road for 200 meters and go left down a very technical, steep, rough, overgrown skid trail for approximately 500 m. to a logging road in poor condition. Follow the logging road right, through challenging terrain and uphill. The road gradually improves over this final 6 km. section and the route terminates at the original fork.

The Lyon Lake loop is marked with a small white Mt. Biking symbol with a brown background or, in the symbol’s absence, a double band of yellow paint.

POINTS OF INTEREST: This loop offers beautiful, panoramic views of the Georgia Straight, Vancouver Island, Texada Island, Jervis, Narrows, and Sechelt Inlets and the Coast Mountains. As well, the route is located amongst some of the oldest forests in Canada.