#24 Minnekhada - looking for Bears!

Minnekhada was once the hunting lodge of Eric Hamber, Lieutenant Governor of BC in the early 1900s.  It is now a popular park in the corner of Coquitlam (see link: Minnekhada info ).


This ride starts at LaFarge Lake in Coquitlam, follows the TransCanada Trail along the Coquitlam River though Port Coquitlam to the DeBoughville Slough at the Pitt River.  


The dyke circles many blueberry fields and there are often bears in the area in summer and early fall. Most viewing can be done safely from the dyke overlooking the fields. Be cautious when cycling along Oliver Road past Minnekhada Lodge as bears often meander across this road.

Use binoculars to see the bears feeding 
in the fields - far from the dyke

Don't worry -- taken with a zoom lens...across the ditch

We didn't expect to see bears right near Hyde Creek Center
and we had to bike off the trail and watch from a distance
as the mother bear and two cubs passed by.

A zoom lens makes the bears look closer than they actually were!

Bears eating blueberries.

There is much more to see than bears at Minnekhada. In winter the mountains are dusted with snow and in spring 
and summer it is nice to sit along the pathway on the Pitt River.

A heron stands at water's edge.  
You can also see hawks, eagles,
cormorants, osprey,
and crows ... of course!

Here is the GoogleMap: http://g.co/maps/upp5g

Full route: 23 km, easy flat riding on dyke trails. 

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Minnekhada Circle Route:

For a shorter version of this ride start at Victoria and Cedar Drive, park there and walk or ride around the Minnekhada Circle.  
Short route: 8 km, very easy biking or walking on dyke trails.


Here's the map:

And here is the map in: GoogleMap

 Happy Riding! ~ Colleen

Corrections, suggestions and comments appreciated: kidsbikevancouver@gmail.com