Goldie Creek - Standard (lower) Route

Goldie Creek is an easily accessed canyon, very close to the city of Vancouver. The goods come in a relatively short section, with some nice waterfall rappels coming in rather quick succession. The canyon also contains an amazing, beautiful rappel – 100 feet down a narrow slot, beneath a large chockstone. If there is a moderate to high water flow, it is one of the most exciting rappels around!

Access Road:
From Highway 1, take the Mount Seymour Parkway exit. Follow it eastbound for 4.5 km, and turn left on Mount Seymour Road. (The small mall on the northwest corner is ideal for last minute groceries at the Safeway, or baked goods and coffee at Bean Around the World.)

Shuttle Vehicle: A shuttle vehicle is optional on this route. It will save about 30 minutes of slightly uphill walking at the end of the day, but the total driving involved will total about that over the course of two round trips. To reach the shuttle drop-off: after 500m, take the second right along Mount Seymour Road, onto Indian River Drive. After 700m, turn left on Indian River Crescent. Follow this (it becomes Indian River Drive again) for 3.8 km. Just prior to a tight switchback turn to the right, look for a wide spot to pull out on the right. Park the shuttle here, well off the narrow road. Return the way you came, to Mount Seymour Road.

Continue up Mount Seymour Road, 3 km from the Parkway (2.5 km from the shuttle turnoff.) On the right is trailhead parking for the Baden-Powell Trail. Park here. There is a pit toilet available up the groomed trail behind the information sign.

The actual trailhead is another km up the road, but there is no parking permitted (despite a large gravel area.) To save some energy, drive up to the pullout ahead, and drop off all heavy packs – either hide them in the trees, or leave one or two people to guard them. Drive back down to the parking area, and hoof it up the road. The route drops off from the apex of the hairpin turn, down into the trees. Find the obvious trail (N49.34442, W122.94608)

From the Trailhead: Drop steeply into the trees. (The “Trail Closed” sign refers to mountain biking.) It’s a little tricky to get there (there are a couple of ways) but you are looking for a trail junction at N49.34569 W122.94325. The trail you are on drops down to cross Francis Creek. On the other side is the Three Chop mountain bike trail. Take it until you get to the GPS waypoint, where there is a fainter trail departing to the east. Get on this trail, which is well marked, and follow it for about 45 minutes, to the signed crossing of Goldie Creek (N49.35291 W122.92010)

Skills required: Depending on the water’s flow rate, you may need a superhuman grip on the rope. Downclimbing in slippery conditions.

Rappels: Approximately 12 rappels, up to 100'

Exposure Risk: Slippery downclimbs with little exposure.

Water: Yes! Lots of wading and waterfalls, not much swimming.

Anchor Conditions: Natural anchors. Please minimize visual impact of webbing.

Gear Recommendations: Longest rappel is 100’. Wetsuit, and technical gear, including harness, helmet, rappel and ascending gear, webbing, rapides, dry bag/keg.

High Flow Danger: Be very careful when committing to the second rappel (100’ rappel down narrow chimney) – the water funnels together near the bottom, with great force.

Approaching the end of the canyon, you will begin to see pipes and hoses, originally used to collect water for the homes below. (None of them appear to be in use any longer.) Stop and change out of wetsuits at this point, prior to reaching a bridge (alternately, change beneath the bridge.) Climb out beside the bridge, and turn right along the road.

This is a private road, Sasamat Lane. Please be considerate of the neighbourhood and drivers on the roadway. Reach a tee, and turn right on Sunshine Lane. Eventually, after about half an hour, you will reach a gate, and Indian River Drive. Turn right, ascend the tight switchback, and find your shuttle vehicle – if you’ve left one.

If you don’t have a shuttle vehicle, continue along Indian River Drive for another 1.5 km (15 minutes) to the signed crossing of the Baden-Powell Trail. Take the trail up the hill, to your right, and follow for another 15 minutes to the parking lot and your waiting chariot.

The upper part of this route is located within Mount Seymour Provincial Park, and the lower portion is in the District of North Vancouver. The route ends at a private road, which you must follow for half an hour to the public road. Please exercise great caution to not upset those driving on the road, or to disturb the neighbourhood. So far, no issues have been reported while traversing the area. Let’s keep it that way.