Quarry Trail to Mid-Marsh Trail

Quarry Trail to Mid-Marsh Trail in Coquitlam is a short loop with a big payoff, especially if you add the High Knoll lookout. The stats say easy – 4.8 km, about 197 m of gain, around an hour and a half – but most locals would call it easy-to-moderate because of the steeper sections near the knoll. It’s a popular after-work or weekend hike, so expect company on nice days and a decent view-to-effort ratio.

The loop starts on well-graded gravel before shifting into more rugged forest singletrack, with roots, rocks, and a few punchy climbs if you head up to High Knoll. Views from the top stretch over the lakes and forest, and recent fire damage has actually opened things up a bit. The Mid-Marsh section is the quieter, moodier part of the Quarry Trail to Mid-Marsh Trail, with frogs, toadlets, and the odd turtle right off the path, so you’ll want to slow down and actually watch where you’re stepping.

Right now, expect partial closures on the southern and lakeside sections for toad migration, with reroutes through the middle still allowing access to High Knoll. The trail is well maintained and mostly dry thanks to fresh gravel and drainage, but the High Knoll approach is rough and can be slick when wet, so skip the slides and wear real hikers; poles help on the steeper bits. This area sees regular bear activity, including a resident mama with cubs near the parking lot, so carry bear spray, give wildlife space, and keep dogs leashed. Gates to the parking lot close at 9 pm, so start early enough that you’re not jogging out in the dark.