13.5km Course Description

Please print out this course description (scroll down for a printer-friendly version) and bring it with you in a plastic baggie to the start.

 
Run to the Clouds new 15 km 2009 route
Distance in KM's
1 Start at Buntzen Lake BC Hydro beach park. Park in far left lot, walk towards the beach, stay left. Gazebo on left side as you aproach the water. Elevation 420 feet/128 meters. 0.0
2 Start route from Gazebo.  Head down paved road towards the lake and boat launching area.  
3 Turn left onto Energy Trail just before the lake, near boat dock area. 0.1
4 Turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail (first right) follow sign to "Floating Bridge" 0.6
5 Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail 1.0
6 Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail, towards "Entrance Gate" 1.1
7 Stay right at fork in trail, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail, towards "Entrance Gate" 1.5
8 Cross new bridge at South end of Buntzen Lake  
9 Turn right onto gravel access road when exiting bridge 1.7
10 Past "Saddle Ridge Trail" sign, stay on gravel road. (stay right close to lake). 3.0
11 Past "Buntzen Lake Trail, and Lake View Trail", again stay right on gravel road. Slight right curve down towards pump house. 3.2
12 Reference Point (RP) #1. Turn left onto Buntzen Lake Trail. Note: There is 2 trail entrances here, take the right hand (closest to the lake).  3.3
13 Stay right at trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail.  6.6
14 Stay right and cross suspension bridge. 6.7
15 On event day aid station #1 will be located here. There is also outhouses located nearby. 6.8
16 After crossing bridge you will pass a wooden structure with maps of Buntzen Lake, turn left out onto gravel road, past a hanging wire gate then left again onto gravel road  6.8
17 Major creek crossing, small house on the right hand side.  7.0
18 You will pass Halvor Linden trail/Swan Falls sign on your right. Note: Ignore spurs and signs off to the right (uphill side). Stay on gravel road with Lesser Buntzen Lake off to your left.  7.2
19 Gravel road turns into paved road. 7.8
20 Straight through yellow gate. 7.9
21 Swing left and cross overtop of the pipeline. Sign on this bridge, Max 61,000 GVW. 8.0
22 Proceed over one lane bridge. Note, there will be a small rock quarry on your right here.  8.1
23 After passing over one lane bridge, go past a small rock quarry on your left. You will be looking for a wooden power pole that has the #3 mark on it.  8.2
24 Reference Point (RP) #2. Note: This is the lowest you will get on the Run to the Clouds route today. Elevation aprox 330 feet/100 meters. Turn left immediately after the wood power pole, up what looks like a creek bed. This changes into a trail within 15 meters.  8.3
25 After climbing up a nasty creekbed the trail swings left and starts downhill. At next junction turn right staying on Old Buntzen Lake Trail. Spur down to left goes down to a dead end viewpoint.  8.4
26 Go straight through junction, staying on Old Buntzen Lake Trail . Note, there will be an older pumphouse down on your left hand side here. 8.5
27 Turn left onto Lake View Trail. 9.3
28 Stay left at this trail junction of Old Buntzen Lake Trail, Lake View Trail and Buntzen Lake Trail. Yes, you have been here before. Follow this trail down to the suspension bridge again.  9.4
29 Cross suspension bridge again. On event day an aid station #2 will be located here. There is also outhouses located nearby. 9.6
30 After crossing bridge go out to the gravel road again, but this time turn right on the road and head up hill. 9.6
31 After climbing slight hill on gravel road, turn right onto Buntzen Lake Trail, just past fence on right. Note: This area overlooks the inflow pipes coming down from Coquitlam Lake. 9.8
32 Cross Poplar Creek 10.7
33 Trail junction, marked "Powerhouse Road", stay straight on Buntzen Lake Trail (do not turn up). 11.1
34 Turn right, stay on Buntzen Lake Trail. Do not take Powerhouse Road exit. Trail starts down switchbacks. 12.0
35 Stay left, do not take spur out to viewpoint (unless you want to go have a look). Continue down switchbacks and across creek-bridge at bottom.  12.1
36 You will see "Dog Park" fenced area on your right. Continue straight up trail.  13.1
37 Note: For people doing the short route, cut  through the dog park here to the right and head back to the gazebo for check in. For those wanting more fun, continue straight. 13.2
38 Finish at Buntzen Lake Beach gazebo. Congratulations, you have just completed the 13.5 km “Run to the Clouds" route 13.5