Dilly Dally Loop
- Kaitlin
- Sep 16, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 24, 2024
Sept 16, 2024
Distance: 23km round trip
Elevation gain: 1561m
Time required: 9-10 hours total
Dilly Dally loop is a trail that traverses the ridgeline on the east side of Buntzen Lake. Over the years, I have done many hikes in the Buntzen area. Dilly Dally loop was my last hike to check off on the list for this area.
The loop can be done in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Each direction has its pros and cons. A clockwise loop prevents you from having to descend some slippery terrain. However, a counter-clockwise route allows you to go for a refreshing dip in Buntzen lake near the end your hike. I chose to go in a counter-clockwise direction.
The trail starts from the main Buntzen Lake parking lot. As I did the loop counter-clockwise, I started by getting onto the Halvor Lunden trail and climbing the ridge towards Eagle Mountain and over to Lindsay Lake. This is a popular hike by itself and there are several viewpoints along the way that offer great views of Buntzen Lake, the Indian Arm, and surrounding mountains (see my post here for more details and photos about that hike). There are several creeks along the way for water.
Of course, no hike of mine would complete without some mushroom finds. I found a neat, bright orange bracket fungi and a lot of king bolete.
Three hours after starting, I came to the Mount Beautiful junction on the north side of Lindsay Lake. This is the junction you want to take.
The trail now leads to the ridgeline that makes up the best part of the hike. Each section involves climbing up to a ridge, climbing down to a pass, then climbing up to another ridge. They are all relatively close to one another. Each ridge has small tarns that can be used to filter water if needed.
The first small peak is Tangled Summit. It doesn't have much of a view. The second is Mount Beautiful which arguably has the best views of them all. I covered that hike separately the first time I did it in the snow here.
After Mount Beautiful is a small, unnamed ridge which is where I stopped for lunch. Then shortly after that is the titular Dilly Dally summit. Although it is the highest peak on the ridge (by about 10m), it doesn't have the best views.
It had taken me just under 5.5 hours to reach Dilly Dally summit. From the summit begins a long 5km descent through the forest to a private road. The terrain was quite slippery and some parts were slow going because of this. Similarly to climbing Eagle Ridge at the beginning of the hike, there are several creeks along the way for water.
There is a rock bluff with a lookout (called 157 Lookout) that you pass by at some point.
The trail features a decent amount of what I can only assume is old water infrastructure.
Just under 2km from the bottom of the trail is a junction for another lookout called Croker Lookout. It's about 400m off the main trail. I opted not to take it.
The Dilly Dally trail leads out onto a private road which after about 500m leads to Powerhouse Road. You have to go around two closed gates (one at the top and bottom of McCombe Lake). The gates are closed because of a rock slide that occurred on the road about three years ago. Though the slide is fully cleared, the area is still technically closed. I arrived at the gates after work hours and so had no trouble passing. I have heard many reports of people passing through the area during work hours with no issues. However, as the road is still technically closed, be aware there may be delays or you may even be turned away.
Powerhouse Road leads out onto Buntzen Lake's north beach. I stopped here for 15 minutes to dip my feet in the water. Finally, there was a one hour walk around the east side of the lake to get back to the parking lot where I started.
Dilly Dally loop is moderately challenging. There are some overgrown sections near Dilly Dally Summit and some blowdown along the trail. However, the trail is very well-marked. The hardest parts are getting to and from the ridge. The actual ridge is relatively short in length. I don't think I would do it again but it was nice to tick it off my list.
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