Trail Whisperer Clinics
Fall | Winter | Spring
Our clinics are 8-10 weeks of skills-based training sessions for all levels of trail runners – from new to experienced. Each clinic corresponds with one of our series races. You will run with experienced, friendly clinic leaders and training sessions will cover trail running technique, gear, navigation, safety, nutrition, hydration, trail etiquette, and a much more. Guest speakers will cover a variety of topics including nutrition before and during a race, up-hill techniques, down-hill techniques, strength training specific to trail running, race preparation and race strategy.
Clinic registration includes Saturday trail runs, race entry fee, weekly email, strength/speed training workout, planned routes with GPX and/or PDF downloads, Clinic Leaders who are happy to share their experience and trail running tips.
No runner is left behind!
Drop-ins are welcome (fee is $5) for runners who can not commit to an entire clinic, or just like to run with like minded trail runners. We do not even mind if you are training for a different race.
Clinic Distances & Pace Groups
Each clinic distance will have several pace groups from fast to not-as-fast and several speeds inbetween. We will help you find the ideal group to run with. No runner is left behind!
Short Distance (10-15K goal)
The short distance is a good place to start if you are new to trail running. The basics of trail running will be covered, graduating from groomed to technical trails. You will receive a solid grounding in trail technique. The short distance will help prepare you for the short-distance event in the corresponding race series. Prerequisite: 5 km on the road.
Intermediate Distance (15-27K goal)
Ready for longer distance and more technical trails? You have completed a previous clinic or have some experience as a trail runner? Then the intermediate distance is for you. The intermediate distance will help prepare you for the intermediate-distance event in the corresponding race series. Prerequisite: 10-12 km.
Long Distance (27+K goal)
If you have longer distance race goals, plenty of drive and enjoy the challenge of the north shore technical trails, this is for you. You do not need to be fast to join this group! The long distance will help prepare you for the long-distance event in the corresponding race series. Prerequisite: 15 km.
Note: Long distance runners join the intermediate group to start and then continue with an “add on” distance for the day’s long course. Not all our leaders will run longer distances. We do not guarantee a leader for every pace group.
Clinic Trail Head Meeting Places
The group meets at different locations every week. Pick the respective clinic to see weekly trailhead locations, plus downloadable GPX and PDF maps for each distance.
Please arrive by 08:15 a.m. to sign in. We aim to start the run at 08:30 a.m. For the run: wear appropriate gear for the weather (layers are recommended) and carry hydration and nutrition. If you are not wearing one, carry a jacket. If there is snow/ice on the trails you will need a set of crampons for traction. The following article provides a description of the various types of crampons.
For after the run: bring dry, warm clothes and an extra pair of socks.
FALL CLINIC Trailheads
WINTER CLINIC Trailheads
SPRING CLINIC Trailheads
| Date/Wk # (Saturday) | Fall Clinic Meeting Place & Directions | Distance/Map |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 5 Week 1 | 8:15 @ Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lillooet Road past turnoff to Capilano University. Continue about 3 km into park to final parking lot on right at end of road. Drive past the Watershed Education Centre to the gravel lot. Translink: Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay, at Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres to Rice Lake Rd. Turn right onto Rice Lake Rd to bridge, cross bridge, walk up hill to parking area. | Short 5K Route Intermediate 11K Long 20K 11-20K Route |
| Sept 12 Week 2 | 8:15 @ Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lillooet Road past turnoff to Capilano University. Continue about 3 km into park to final parking lot on right at end of road. Drive past the Watershed Education Centre to the gravel lot. Translink: Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay, at Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres to Rice Lake Rd. Turn right onto Rice Lake Rd to bridge, cross bridge, walk up hill to parking area. | Short 7K Route Intermediate 14K Long 24K 14-24 km Route Detailed Intermediate map |
| Sept 19 Week 3 | 8:15 @ Cypress Mountain. From Hwy #1 in West Vancouver, take Cypress exit 8, go all the way to the top parking lot (where you can see the Cypress Creek Lodge). Allow lots of time to get there because speed limit is 60km/h on the mountain. We do Yew Lake Trail and some Howe Sound Crest Trail. See meeting place on routes file link in right column. | Short 9K Intermediate 17K Long 27K All Distances Download GPX file |
| Sept 26 Week 4 | 8:15 @ Berkley Road. Take Mount Seymour Parkway to Berkley Road. Turn North on Berkly toward Hyannis Drive. Park beside sport field on Berkley (not on Hyannis). Meet at the sports field bleechers. Translink: Route 214 | Short 7K PDF or 7K GPX Intermediate 12K PDF or 12K GPX Long 20 km 8K add-on PDF or 8K add-on GPX |
| Oct 3 Week 5 | 8:15 @ Grouse Mountain. FYI – Lots of elevation gain this week for all distances! Training run up Jetboy for Intermediate/Long. Take Capilano Rd North past the dam. Continue up on Nancy Green Way to the top. Turn right into parking lot and drive to the far end of the parking lot down the hill (by the trailhead for Powerline Trail). This is pay parking. There is free parking on street but watch for any parking restrictions. Translink: Route 232 or 236 to top of Capilano Road | Short 10K PDF or 10K GPX Intermediate 19.5K PDF or 19.5K GPX Long 30 km 9.5-10K add-on PDF or 9.5-10K add-on GPX |
| Oct 10 Week 6 Hallow’s Eve Orientation | 8:15 @ Inter River Park. Fromm Lillooet Road, turn left onto Inter River Park Drive. Near bottom of hill, take the first left turn onto Premier St, then the first right into the parking lot. The start is near the bathrooms and the BMX track area. Translink: Route 239 Capilano University or Route 255. | Short 10K Route PDF or 10K GPX Intermediate 22K Route PDF or 22K GPX Long 35K 13K Add-on route PDF or 13K Addon GPX |
| Oct 17 Week 7 | 8:15 @ Old Buck Trailhead. Park early at Parkgate Park and hike up to Anne McDonald Way. Trailhead is on Anne MacDonald Way just off Mt. Seymour Road. See Parkgate Park parking instructions. Do not park at mall or you could be ticketed. The Old Buck parking lot is always full so don’t expect there to be any space. Translink: Route 211 Phibbs/Seymour or Route C15 Phibbs/Indian River | Short 5.6K Route PDF or 5.6K GPX Intermediate 10K Route PDF or 10K GPX Long 15 km (use both routes) |
| Oct 24 Week 8 Hallow’s Eve Race | Hallow’s Eve RACE DAY. Inter River Park. See parking restrictions. There is parking at Capilano University and some at the upper sports fields. Best to CARPOOL. Translink: Route 239 or 255 | Short 10K Intermediate 22K Long 42K |
| Oct 31 Week 9 Phantom Run Orientation | 8:15 @ Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lillooet Road past turnoff to Capilano University. Continue about 3 km into park to final parking lot on right at end of road. Drive past the Watershed Education Centre to the gravel lot. Translink: Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay, at Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres to Rice Lake Rd. Turn right onto Rice Lake Rd to bridge, cross bridge, walk up hill to parking area. NOTE: Different start for Orientation Run 2025. | Short 12K Route PDF or 12K GPX Intermediate 19.5K Long 22K (19.5-22K Route PDF) or 20K GPX |
| Nov 7 Week 10 | 8:15 @ Lynn Headwaters Park. Drive North on Lynn Valley Road to the top and continue into Lynn Headwaters Park. Park in overflow lot closest to small lot by BC Mills House. Translink: Route 228. Walk into park (approx. 1.2K) | Short 6.5K Route PDF or 6.5K GPX Intermediate/Long 11K Route PDF or 11K GPX |
| Nov 14 Phantom Run Race | The Phantom Run RACE DAY. Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. See parking restrictions. Take Lillooet Road to parking lot on LEFT just before the filtration plant, marked as Lynn Canyon Park. Gather behind the kiosk on the grass. Translink: Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay, at Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres to Rice Lake Rd. Turn right onto Rice Lake Rd to bridge, cross bridge, walk up hill to parking area. | Short 12K Intermediate 19.5K Long 25K |
| Date/Wk # (Saturday) | Winter Clinic Meeting Place & Directions | Distance/Map |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 9 Week #1 | 8:15 @ Berkley Road Take Mount Seymour Parkway to Berkley Road. Turn North on Berkly toward Hyannis Drive. Park beside sports field, not on Hyannis Rd. Meet at sports field bleachers. Translink: Route 214. | Short 7K Route PDF 7K GPX File Intermediate 11K Route PDF Long 16K Route PDF 11K-16K GPX File |
| Jan 16 Week #2 | 8:15 @ Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lilloet Road past turn-off to Capilano University. Continue approx 3K into park to final parking lot at end on right. Drive past the Watershed Education Centre to the gravel lot. Meet in gravel parking lot. Translink Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay. At Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres and turn right onto Rice Lake Rd. At bottom, cross foot bridge and head uphill to parking lot past washrooms. | Short 8K Route PDF 8K GPX File Intermediate/Long 13K-20K Route PDF 13K GPX File 7.5K Add-on GPX File |
| Jan 23 Week #3 | 8:15 @ Old Buck Trailhead. Park early at Parkgate Park and hike up to Anne MacDonald Way. Trailhead is on Anne MacDonald Way just off Mt Seymour Rd. See parking instructions in the route descriptions. Do not park at mall or you could be ticketed. The Old Buck parking lot is always full so don’t expect there to be any space. Translink: Route 211 Phibbs/Seymour or Route C15 Phibbs/Indian River. Parking Instructions for Old Buck Trailhead | Short 9K Route PDF 9.5K GPX File Intermediate/Long 16K-24K Route PDF 16K-24k GPX File |
| Jan 30 Week #4 | 8:15 @ Jaycee House. 1251 Lillooet Road. Park on road or down at parking lot by BMX track or at sports fields and hike up to Jaycee House. Translink: Route 239 Capilano University or Route 255. | Short 10K Route PDF 10K GPX File Intermediate/Long 19K-27K Altered Route PDF 19K – 27K Altered GPX File |
| Feb 6 Week#5 | 8:15 @ Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lilloet Road past turn-off to Capilano University. Continue approx 3K into park to final parking lot at end on right. Drive past the Watershed Education Centre to the gravel lot. Meet in gravel parking lot. Translink Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay. At Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres and turn right onto Rice Lake Rd. At bottom, cross foot bridge and head uphill to parking lot past washrooms. | Short 9K Route PDF 9K GPX File Intermediate 15K Route PDF 15K GPX File Long 8K Add-on to 15K Route PDF 8K Add-on GPX File |
| Feb 13 Week #6 | 8:15 @ Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lilloet Road past turn-off to Capilano University. Continue approx 3K into park to final parking lot at end on right. Drive past the Watershed Education Centre to the gravel lot. Translink Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay. At Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres and turn right onto Rice Lake Rd. At bottom, cross foot bridge and head uphill to parking lot past washrooms. | Short 11K Route PDF 11K GPX File Intermediate/Long 18K Route PDF 18K GPX File Long Add-on Add-on for 26K Route PDF 8K Addon GPX File |
| Feb 20 Week #7 | 8:15 @ Old Buck Trailhead. Park early at Parkgate Park and hike up to Anne MacDonald Way. Trailhead is on Anne MacDonald Way just off Mt Seymour Rd. See parking instructions in the route descriptions. Do not park at mall or you could be ticketed. The Old Buck parking lot is always full so don’t expect there to be any space. Translink: Route 211 Phibbs/Seymour or Route C15 Phibbs/Indian River. | Short 13K Route PDF 13K GPX File Intermediate/Long 21K Route PDF 21K GPX File Long Add-on 8K Add-on for 29K Route PDF 8K Add-on GPX File |
| Feb 27 Orientation Run Week #8 | 8:15 @ Inter River Park. by BMX Park. From Lilloet Road, turn left onto Inter River Park Drive. Near bottom of hill, turn left onto Premier St, then the first right into the parking lot. The start isnear the bathrooms and the BMX track area. Translink: Route 239 Capilano University or Route 255. | Short 15K DD Orientation PDF 15K DD Orientation GPX File Intermediate/Long 25-31K DD Orientation PDF 25-31K DD Orientation GPX File Long 10K Add-on for 31K PDF 10K Add-on for 31K GPX File |
| Mar 6 Week #9 | 8:15 @ Inter River Park. by BMX Park. From Lilloet Road, turn left onto Inter River Park Drive. Near bottom of hill, turn left onto Premier St, then the first right into the parking lot. The start isnear the bathrooms and the BMX track area. Translink: Route 239 Capilano University or Route 255. | Short 14K Route PDF 14K Route GPX File Intermediate/Long 24K Route PDF 24K Route GPX File Long 10K Add-on for 34K Route PDF 10 Add-on for 34K GPX File |
| Mar 13 Week #10 | 8:15 @ Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lilloet Road past turn-off to Capilano University. Continue approx 3K into park to final parking lot at end on right. Drive past the Watershed Education Centre to the gravel lot. Translink Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay. At Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres and turn right onto Rice Lake Rd. At bottom, cross foot bridge and head uphill to parking lot past washrooms. | Short 10K Route PDF 10K Route GPX File Intermediate/Long 15K Route PDF 15K Route GPX File Long 9K Add-on for 25K Route PDF 9K Add-on Route GPX File |
| Mar 20 DIRTY DUO Race Day | RACE DAY @ Inter River Park. by BMX Park. Parking lots by BMX track and beside sports fields. Translink: Route 239 Capilano University or Route 255. CHECK RACE START TIMES. | Short 15K Route Intermediate 25K Route Long 35K Route Relay 15K/15K |
| Date/Wk # (Saturday) | Spring Clinic Meeting Place & Directions | Distance/Map |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 27 Week #1 | 8:15 Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lilloet Road past turn-off to Capilano University. Continue approx 3K to final parking lot at end on right. Park in gravel parking lot past the education center. Translink: Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay, at Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres and turn right onto Rice Lake Rd. At bottom, cross foot bridge and head uphill to parking lot past washrooms. | Short 6K PDF 6K GPX Intermediate/Long 10K PDF 10K GPX Extra Route – 9K 9K GPX |
| Apr 3 Week #2 | 8:15 Old Buck Trailhead. Anne MacDonald Way off Mt Seymour Rd. Translink: Route 211 Phibbs/Seymour or Route C15 Phibbs/Indian River. Or park at Parkgate Park and hike up. | Short 7K PDF 7K GPX Long 12K PDF 12K GPX Extra Route – 8K 8K GPX |
| April 10 Week #3 | 8:15 Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lillooet Road past turnoff to Capilano University. Continue about 3 km into park to parking lot on left at the Lynn Canyon Park parking lot sign. Translink: Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay, at Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres to Rice Lake Rd. Turn right onto Rice Lake Rd to bridge, cross bridge, walk up hill and right along Suspension Bridge Trail a short ways. | Short 9K PDF 9K GPX Long 14.5K PDF 14.5K GPX Extra Route – 10K 10K GPX |
| Apr 17 Week #4 | 8:15 Berkley Road. Take Mount Seymour Parkway to Berkley Road. Turn North on Berkly to Hyannis Drive. Park beside sport field on Berkley. Do not park on Hyannis Drive. Translink: route 214. | Short 9K PDF 9K GPX Long 15K PDF 15K GPX Extra Route – 8K 8K Extra PDF 8K Extra GPX |
| Apr 24 Week #5 | 8:15 Cleveland Dam. Take Capilano Rd north to Cleveland Dam. Meet in Cleveland Dam parking lot. Watch for parking/time restrictions in lot or on road. | Short 11K PDF 11K GPX Long 20K PDF 20K GPX Extra Route – 9-11K 9-11K PDF 9-11K GPX |
| May 1 Week #6 | 8:15 Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. Take Lillooet Road past turnoff to Capilano University. Continue about 3 km into park to parking lot on left at the Lynn Canyon Park parking lot sign. Translink: Route 228 Lynn Valley/Lonsdale Quay, at Dempsey Rd, go North a few metres to Rice Lake Rd. Turn right onto Rice Lake Rd to bridge, cross bridge, walk up hill and right along Suspension Bridge Trail a short ways. | Short 12K PDF 12K GPX Long 23K PDF 23K GPX Extra Route – 9K 9K Extra PDF 9K Extra GPX |
| May 8 Orientation Run Week #7 | The Orientation Run is point to point. Please organize your own carpooling or drop offs with a buddy(s). 8:15 @ Myrtle Park public parking off Cliffmont Road in Deep Cove. Tender Knee: Carpool to LSCR gravel parking lot on right at end of Lillooet Road. Iron Knee carpool to the top of Prospect Road off Montroyal or get dropped off. Very limited parking. | Tender Knee TK 13K PDF TK 13K GPX Iron Knee IK Orientation 20K PDF IK Orientation 20K GPX |
| May 15 Week #8 | 8:15 Berkley Road. Take Mount Seymour Parkway to Berkley Road. Turn North on Berkley to Hyannis Drive. Do not park in the small lot beside the sports field because it’s for little league sports. We meet at bleachers. Translink: route 214. | Short 8K PDF 8K GPX Long 12K PDF 12K GPX Extra Route – 8K 8K Extra PDF 8K Extra GPX |
| May 22 Iron Knee/ Tender Knee RACE DAY! | RACE DAY. See race page for start locations and check-in times. SHUTTLE BUS- Shuttle bus departs from Panorama Park (finish line) at 6:15 a.m. to drop runners at LSCR for Tender Knee and Cleveland Park for Iron Knee. Note: You must pre-book the shuttle bus. There are no guaranteed seats on race day. | Tender Knee 13 km Iron Knee 25 km |
Clinic Registration
| Clinic | Start Date | Cost | Associated Race(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | September 5, 2026 | $180 | Hallow’s Eve The Phantom Run |
| Winter | January 9, 2027 | $150 | Dirty Duo |
| Spring | March 27, 2027 | $150 | Iron Knee/Tender Knee |
Clinic Registration Policy
Check out our Policies page for details on our Clinic Registration Policy. The race entry(s) included with clinic fee is bound to the race registration policies.