Dinkey Peak for a dinky hiker

Our trail walking has been somewhat curtailed in recent months, partly as a result of my early pregnancy fatigue, and partly due to the injury-ridden Dadda Boo, who is slowly rehabilitating from a very nasty ankle sprain he sustained whilst running several weeks ago.  He's as eager as myself and the Boo to get back out on the trails whilst the summer sun still shines, and so we headed up to Mount Seymour for a hike.  Our initial plan was to head up to Dog Mountain, a short hike with pretty much no elevation gain which promises spectacular views.  However, we had somewhat forgotten about the terrain, which proved to be a little too much for our party, which included one dodgy ankle (Dadda Boo), one dodgy knee (Grandaddy), one 3ft-ish novice hiker, and one slightly cautious pregnant lady.  Only Granny was in fine fettle and not carrying any handicap.  Hiker Boo is most keen to walk, walk, walk but we do still take the Deuter child backpack as backup for difficult terrain and tired times.  But the injured Dadda being the only adult still prepared to carry the now 30lb lady, we were not keen to push it, so at First Lake we reconsidered our route.

 
This is a man in pain.

So we took a right turn around the lake up the rather more forgiving Dinkey Peak trail, though there were still plenty of rocks and roots for little legs to work on their skills on.  The enthusiasm of the dinky hiker is infectious.

 
After a little way the trail offers opportunity to climb up to Dinkey Peak for views, though we declined this in favour of the next viewpoint, the climb to which was easier for little legs.

The views don't quite equal those from Dog Mountain, but are a fair consolation to be sure.  Dadda Boo recites the names of all the surrounding mountains, I just take it all in.

A little further along the trail, and before the descent down the main Mount Seymour Trail, there is opportunity for another viewpoint, this time looking out over the city of Vancouver.

  
 
The little canon couldn't quite penetrate through the summer haze, but you get the impression of the vista.

The dinky hiker's training continues.