Instagram feeds beware, one of the North Shore’s most snap-happy hikes is open again, after three years off the map.
Quarry Rock, a popular hiking trail and lookout near Deep Cove in the District of North Vancouver, reopened earlier this week.
The district initially closed the trail at the outset of the pandemic in March 2020, due to physical distancing concerns. After that, it was kept shut through 2021 to manage traffic volumes coming into Deep Cove while the storm sewer was replaced along its main road, Gallant Avenue. The trail was thrashed in the Nov. 2021 atmospheric river and it remained closed as repairs on the trail itself were underway.
According to district staff, the extent of the damage and difficult nature of working on the trail were major factors in the slow repair schedule. Further delays were caused by the extra wintry weather over the past two years.
“There was a significant amount of damage to the bridges and stair structures on the trail during our 2021 winter storm,” said District of North Vancouver spokesperson Ryan Schaap, “followed by the heavy snowfall that we had this past winter, it really delayed and put off repairs.”
“But that’s behind us,” he said. “The work is complete and it’s open for visitors…. It’s nice that everything’s finally completed.”
To Deep Cove locals, who grapple with droves of visitors when the weather’s fine, the reopening of the trail might not be the most welcome news. To make matters worse, work related to the Livable Deep Cove project has recently started, which means the lower section of Gallant Avenue will be closed off during construction. As a result, there will be traffic detours and limited parking.
“With the addition of Quarry Rock being open, we’re encouraging visitors to the area to take public transit whenever possible, or cycle or walk to the area just because it is a rather busy place right now,” Schaap said. “So plan ahead.”
