Eagle Ridge/Lindsay Lake

June 25, 2021

Distance: 12km

Elevation gain: 1035m

Time required: 6-7 hours

The Eagle Ridge Trail climbs towards Eagle Mountain on the east side of Buntzen Lake and goes around the mountain to Lindsay Lake. There are several viewpoints along the way. It is typically done as a loop around Eagle Mountain.

This is a good moderate hike to do that isn't too long nor difficult but does offer rewarding views and interesting features. It's a good trail to snowshoe too.

From the Buntzen Lake parking lot, you head towards Powerhouse Road, go past the yellow gate, and get on the Halvor Lunden trail. This first part climbs steeply and steadily through coastal forest as you make your way towards Eagle Mountain. After just over 2km, the trail levels out for about 1km before reaching the braid where the loop starts. You can choose to go in either direction but I would recommend clockwise so that you get all the best views first.

There are 5-6 viewpoints along the trail as you make your way around the south and then west face of Eagle Mountain. The best are Spahats Rigg and The Pulpit.

Cute hummingbird I saw on my way up Eagle Ridge

Buntzen Lake and Indian Arm/Burrard Inlet from The Pulpit viewpoint

In the background you can see Mount Seymour (first v-shaped peak), Mount Elsay (3rd peak), Cathedral Mtn (beside Elsay in background), and Mt Bishop (next to Cathedral)

While at The Pulpit viewpoint, I managed to see four red-tailed hawks circling around! It was an amazing sight.

Finally, after 3 hours, I reached Lindsay Lake, which is a small alpine lake. There's nothing special about it except that it's somewhere to go. At this time of year, it was still half frozen over. There is another trail that starts from the lake which heads towards Mount Beautiful and more peaks. I'll come back to do that one day.

Half frozen Lindsay Lake

As I was doing the loop, I continued on the trail going around Lindsay Lake instead of turning around. This side of the trail had snow and mud for the first 1km or so. You pass by many small lakes (referred to as the 'lake district') as you head around the east side of Eagle Mountain. Eventually the trail connects back up with the main Halvor Lunden trail that you started on and then it's back down through the forest to the parking lot.