Skidder, Platinum, and Shotgun

Skidder, Platinum, and Shotgun is a fun 6.6 km loop in the Woodlot above Maple Ridge, BC, with about 389 m of climbing and a high point around 593 m. It’s rated moderate, and that feels accurate: enough roots, short steeps, and twists to keep you working, but still manageable for most active hikers in about two and a half hours. The area is better known to mountain bikers, which is exactly what makes it feel a bit off-the-radar for hikers.

The loop starts near Whonnock Creek and uses the Skidder trailhead before linking into Access 3, Platinum, Krazy Karpenter, Upper Toad Stool, Bloggy Style, and finally Shotgun. You’re mostly in classic coastal forest: shaded, damp, and full of roots, wooden features, and berms built for bikes, with only the odd filtered view through the trees. The appeal here is more about weaving through the network and enjoying the rolling terrain than bagging a big viewpoint.

Current reports mention lots of challenging bike trails criss-crossing the route, so stay alert, keep to the side when you hear riders coming, and avoid wearing headphones. The maze of junctions in the Woodlot makes it easy to wander off your intended loop, so download a map or GPS track before you go. Skidder, Platinum, and Shotgun in Maple Ridge is hikeable year-round, but it gets muddy and slick after rain, so good tread and maybe hiking poles make a big difference, especially on the steeper, bike-polished sections.