Polytrichum Lookout and El Paso Junction on Eagle Ridge provide two excellent uphill workouts from Buntzen Lake. Both use the lower portion of the Halvor Lunden Trail and offer a substantial amount of climbing without committing to one of the much longer Eagle Ridge hikes.

They also make interesting alternatives to the Grouse Grind and BCMC Route on Grouse Mountain. The trails are quite different, but all four provide sustained uphill exercise with several hundred metres of elevation gain.

Four Uphill Workouts

The figures below provide a simple comparison of Polytrichum Lookout, El Paso Junction, the Grouse Grind, and the BCMC Route. The Polytrichum and El Paso figures are based on my hikes at Buntzen Lake.

The Grouse Grind is the steepest of the four workouts, while the BCMC Route provides a somewhat longer and less concentrated climb. Polytrichum has less total elevation gain, while continuing to El Paso Junction produces a longer endurance workout with climbing comparable to the Grouse Mountain routes.

Polytrichum Lookout

Polytrichum Lookout is located on the Halvor Lunden Trail above Buntzen Lake. From the Buntzen Lake recreation area, the trail climbs steadily through dense coastal forest, crossing small streams and gaining elevation quickly.

My route to Polytrichum is approximately 2.5 km one way with about 550 m of elevation gain. Returning the same way produces a workout of roughly 5 km.

The viewpoint makes a natural turnaround point for anyone who wants a relatively short but steep workout rather than continuing farther onto Eagle Ridge.

The view looks northwest toward Buntzen Ridge, where the Diez Vistas Trail crosses the opposite side of the lake.

El Paso Junction

For a longer workout, continue past Polytrichum Lookout toward El Paso Junction. My route is approximately 4 km one way with about 800 m of elevation gain, giving a return distance of roughly 8 km.

El Paso Junction is an important intersection on the Halvor Lunden Trail. Beyond this point, routes continue toward Lindsay Lake and the higher sections of Eagle Ridge.

As a workout, El Paso Junction provides substantially more distance than Polytrichum while maintaining a sustained climb. It is a good option when there is enough time for a longer outing but not enough daylight for Lindsay Lake or the larger Eagle Ridge routes.

How They Compare

Polytrichum Lookout

• Approximately 2.5 km one way
• Approximately 5 km return
• Approximately 550 m of elevation gain
• About 220 m of climbing per kilometre on the ascent
• Quieter than the Grouse Mountain routes
• Forest trail with a viewpoint at the turnaround
• The downhill section is part of the workout
• Access is through the Buntzen Lake recreation area

El Paso Junction

• Approximately 4 km one way
• Approximately 8 km return
• Approximately 800 m of elevation gain
• About 200 m of climbing per kilometre on the ascent
• Longest overall workout of the four when returning the same way
• Uses the same Halvor Lunden Trail approach as Polytrichum
• The full descent is included in the workout
• Provides access to the higher Eagle Ridge trail network

Grouse Grind

• Approximately 2.5 km uphill
• Approximately 800 m of elevation gain
• About 320 m of climbing per kilometre
• Steepest and most concentrated climb of the four
• Downhill travel on the Grouse Grind itself is prohibited
• Return by gondola or the BCMC Route
• Generally much busier than the Eagle Ridge routes
• A very efficient workout if the objective is sustained uphill climbing

BCMC Route

• Approximately 2.9 km one way
• Approximately 750 m of elevation gain
• About 259 m of climbing per kilometre
• Less steep overall than the Grouse Grind, but still a demanding climb
• More like a conventional mountain trail than the Grouse Grind
• Can be travelled in both directions
• Can be used as a return route after climbing the Grouse Grind
• Provides a longer and somewhat less concentrated climbing workout than the Grouse Grind

Which Is the Better Workout?

It depends on what you want from the workout.

• Polytrichum Lookout: best for a shorter Buntzen Lake workout with substantial climbing, a good viewpoint, and a full downhill return.
• El Paso Junction: best when you want a longer endurance workout with roughly 800 m of climbing and about 8 km of total distance.
• Grouse Grind: best for a concentrated, very steep uphill workout where the main objective is climbing rather than distance.
• BCMC Route: best for a more conventional mountain-trail workout on Grouse Mountain, with substantial climbing and the option to include both the ascent and descent.

The Buntzen Lake routes and the BCMC differ from the Grouse Grind because the downhill portion can be part of the workout. That makes the overall effort quite different from climbing the Grouse Grind and taking the gondola back down.

Buntzen Lake Access

The Halvor Lunden Trail begins near the southeast corner of the South Beach parking area at Buntzen Lake. BC Hydro manages the recreation area, and gate hours and parking arrangements change seasonally.

During the summer parking-reservation season, a vehicle reservation may be required. Check current BC Hydro Buntzen Lake information before travelling.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Polytrichum Lookout and El Paso Junction may be used primarily as workouts, but they are still mountain trails rather than gym equipment. Conditions can include mud, roots, slippery rock, snow, ice, fallen trees, and rapidly changing weather.

The same applies to the BCMC Route. Although it begins beside one of Metro Vancouver’s busiest hiking areas, it is still a steep forest mountain trail and should be treated accordingly.

Wear suitable footwear, carry water, and bring a headlamp if there is any possibility of returning late. In winter or spring, traction or snow equipment may be required at either Buntzen Lake or Grouse Mountain.

Also pay attention to Buntzen Lake gate closing times when using the Halvor Lunden Trail.

Leave No Trace

Even when using these trails primarily for exercise, please follow Leave No Trace principles. Stay on established trails, pack out everything you bring in, avoid damaging vegetation, and yield appropriately to other trail users.