Maple Ridge
. . . . .
| ROUND TRIP | 23.5 km (14 ¾ miles) |
| TERRAIN | Paved roads and unpaved trail (walk only); several hills, some steep |
| TRAFFIC VOLUME | Low, except on Jackson Road |
| ALLOW | 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours |
| HIGHLIGHTS | Quiet, winding roads, woodland trail, side trip to Bell-Irving Fish Hatchery, Kanaka Creek, Whonnock Lake |
| PICNIC SPOT | Whonnock Lake at 11.5 km |
| STARTING POINT | Albion Park on 104th Avenue |
| HOW TO GET THERE | BY CAR: From Lougheed Highway (Hwy 7) east of Haney, turn north on 240th Street, then right on 104th Avenue. The park is on the right after 0.8 km. |
| BY TRANSIT: Take the bus to 104th Avenue at Jackson Road. | |
| WHEN TO GO | Swim at Whonnock Lake in July and August. |
Rearing ponds, Bell-Irving hatchery
Canada goose
ON A day when you’re feeling energetic and a bit adventurous, you’ll enjoy this sporting little ride among the winding lanes near Kanaka Creek.
Maple Ridge abounds in roads that almost but not quite connect with each other, so your route has many turnings before it reaches Whonnock Lake. To circumvent one of these gaps in the road system, we’ve directed you along a foot trail through the woods for a short distance. This is primarily a hiking and equestrian trail; please walk your bike where necessary and be prepared to take a small stream in your stride. This digression is far more pleasant than the alternative, which is to cycle 4 kilometres along the Dewdney Trunk Road amid speeding traffic.
A side trip to the Bell-Irving Fish Hatchery on Kanaka Creek is worthwhile. Free tours, on which you may see juvenile salmon and trout in the troughs and rearing ponds, are offered most days. The hatchery releases large numbers of salmon fry into the creek each spring.
After a rest, and perhaps a swim, at Whonnock Lake, you can look forward to plenty of freewheeling on the homeward lap.
KM THE ROUTE
0.0 Albion Park parking lot. East on 104th Avenue.
0.5 Left on Jackson Road, which becomes 248th Street.
1.5 Right on 108th Avenue.
1.7 Left on 249th Street, which becomes Lockwood Street.
2.6 Right on 112th Avenue.
3.1 Left on 252nd Street, which becomes 112th Avenue.
4.4 OPTION: For the side trip to Bell-Irving hatchery, turn left on 256th Street, then right to the hatchery after 0.2 km. Otherwise,
4.4 Right on Palmer Rolph Street.
Left on 112th Avenue.
5.2 Right on 260th Street (signed “No Thru Rd”), which becomes Grant Avenue.
6.3 End of Grant Avenue. Go straight ahead on the signposted Hayes Trail. Please walk bikes on this trail.
Go left at the first trail junction. Cross the bridge over the creek and keep left. Cross the second creek—there may be a plank bridge.
7.8 Right onto a wide equestrian trail that emerges on Ferguson Avenue.
8.1 Right on 112th Avenue.
10.4 Left on 276th Street at the sign to Whonnock Lake, and follow the road to the main parking lot near the beach.
11.5 Beach parking. Picnic tables, toilets, swimming.
11.5 Retrace your route to 112th Avenue.
12.6 Right on 112th Avenue.
12.8 Left on Hynes Street.
13.3 Right on 110th Avenue.
13.6 Left on 272nd Street. Narrow shoulder—use caution.
15.8 Right on 100th Avenue. Sudden steep hill—find a low gear quickly!
16.6 Left on 268th Street. Steep downhill.
Right on 98th Avenue.
17.8 Jog right on 264th Street.
18.0 Left on 98th Avenue.
19.6 Right on 256th Street.
20.0 Left on 100th Avenue, which becomes Jackson Road.
22.4 Bear right on Jackson Road where 102nd Avenue branches left.
22.8 Left on 104th Avenue.
23.3 Albion Park parking lot.