HEALTH AND WELLNESS
PHOTO COURTESY ALEX BELL
Conquer the Crunch!
5 tips to help you crush the famed Coquitlam Crunch hike By Alex Bell
C
oquitlam is blessed with a natural community asset known as the Coquitlam Crunch. Although it has been a local feature for many years, the Crunch really took off in 2012 when stairs was built on the lower steep section just off Lansdowne Drive. Then, in 2017, another set of stairs was added to parallel the first set. There are 437 steps on the original set of stairs and 457 on the second, and it’s free, open all year-round, and suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
The full Crunch experience It’s not just about the stairs. If you want the full experience, you should start in the parking lot located between Scott Creek Middle School and Eagle Ridge Elementary school off Lansdowne Drive. From the parking lot, the trail goes up, crosses Lansdowne and then it is up the stairs. Which set you go up is your choice. This is the steepest part of the trail. You will then cross Lansdowne Drive again at the top of the stairs, and then you are on a gradual rise that will take you across two more streets. The one-way trip is 2.27 kilometres and gains more than 270 metres in elevation!
start, then you keep going on the gradual rise to the top of the trail.
2. Remember the Crunch is south-facing. That means on hot days, the trail really heats up. So, bring a hat and water. If you forget, Northside Four Square Church often has a table with cold water by the trail in the summer.
3. If you want to avoid the heat, early morning or late evening is the best time to go. This is also the best time to observe the wildlife on the trail. Deer are common visitors among the wild roses, but you may also see snakes, hummingbirds, bunnies, coyotes and even bears.
4. Bringing along a furry four-legged friend? When you cross David Avenue, you will walk right by a dog park. There is a water pipe there for your dog’s refreshment.
5. If you want to make this a social activity, then there is another way to enjoy the Crunch. Starting
1. Decide what kind of workout you want. If you want
in April through to September, there is a drop-in group called the Coquitlam Craft Crunchers that walk the Crunch one evening per week, starting at 7 pm from the parking lot of the Mariner Brewery on Barnet and Lansdowne. This turns the walk into a 7-kilometre round trip, ending off with some food and drinks back at the brewery. Learn more about this group on Marine Brewing’s Facebook page. n
an intense workout, do circuits on the stairs. You can go in one direction to begin with and then change direction to switch things up. If you want more of an endurance workout, then don’t just stay on the stairs; continue to the top. Your heart is pumping at the
Alex Bell is a Coquitlam Crunch enthusiast and founder of the Coquitlam Crunch “Diversity” Challenge fundraiser (coquitlamcrunch.com), which happens in the second weekend of September.
Crunch tips Worried about your stair stamina? Here are five tips to help you conquer the Coquitlam Crunch.
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