Painted Bluffs Provincial Park is a very special place, one that we try to visit every year. Our favorite route is to kayak across the lake from Savona. Other routes can be taken too (see this post link). Every time we visit, the light is different and we hike to different perspectives (post link). A follow-up article will detail the … Continue reading…
There are many trails in the Lac le Jeune area that lead through the upland forests, but few offer good viewpoints. A series of trails from Lac le Jeune Provincial Park through the cross country trails to a lookout makes a pleasing 12km loop. From the beach area at the park, follow the trail along the lake to the gate … Continue reading…
All of Jedediah Island is a provincial park and trails link up the various landing points. Although we landed in Home Bay we could have landed at any of the camping spots to hike across the island, We first enjoyed the hike over to the former home of the island's owners, then we followed the trail through the orchard, the … Continue reading…
For those who love to kayak, Jedediah Island is a destination for exploration. Most kayakers launch from the Sunshine Coast. Go north of Sechelt to Half Moon Bay for a good access to a short crossing to the Thormandby Islands. The crossing of Malaspina Strait from North Thormandby is 8km of open water and should only be attempted in calm … Continue reading…
Some of the finest alpine meadows in the country can be found on Tod Mountain. From the top of the chair, the hike over the "top of the world" takes about 45 minutes. From this point a route winds between the many "pump" hills of Tod Mountain. Three main routes can be taken, but the most direct is either to … Continue reading…
The Copper Island route has been featured in a past post (link). This time, we left Shuswap Lake Park in flood. All of the beaches were under water. Debris flanked the possible entry points. Mosquitoes were breeding in the standing water in low points. We launched nonetheless and to our delight, the ban on speed boats made the 2km crossing … Continue reading…
The Dewdrop Rim Trail on Red Plateau has long been my favorite trail of our area. But it is a long and demanding route, as noted in an earlier post (link). A much easier route is to drive up the Red Plateau Forest Service Road (on the Red Lake Road opposite the Pimple) and then follow double tracks to the … Continue reading…
The nearest section of the Trans Canada Trail goes through Brookmere and beyond through the Coquihalla Lakes to Hope. The TCT is the old Kettle Valley Railway (KVR railbed). Linking into that rail system was the Merritt Subdivision which follows the Coldwater River Valley from Merritt to the junction station at Brodie. Since the railway grades were moderate, a loop … Continue reading…
We try to hike the Embleton trails in all 4 seasons and there are different rewards each month. Our most recent venture was in June, planned for a specific time to see the chocolate lilies in bloom at the top. While hiking these trails, I was reminded why this is one of our area's premier hike destinations: 1. The Viewpoints … Continue reading…
The steep mountain overlooking Barnhartvale is called Sunrise Mountain by locals. In older hiking books, it was also called Middle Mountain. On the topo maps, the cluster of hills is called Juniper Hills. There are several routes up to the top of these hills, but the most dramatic and satisfying is the north ridge of Sunrise Mountain. It is steep, … Continue reading…
There is a large area of trails on the east side of Rose Hill Road extending for a few kilometers east toward Juniper Ridge Road, but below the Juniper-Rose Hill Connector. The trails are used by mountain bikers, dog walkers, hikers, and area residents, but there has been no map of these trails, until now. The trails can be accessed … Continue reading…
A favorite route starts at Lac du Bois and follows a dirt/grass double track south under the flank of Wheeler Mountain. Go through the gate on the east side of the lake. This now belongs to the Nature Conservancy of Canada but hiking and walking activities are permitted. Continue south as it winds through the upper grasslands. The route passes … Continue reading…
The trail is long, but the destination is worth the effort. Some caveats first. Do this hike before or after the mosquito season. Be prepared to climb, over, under, or around the deadfall. Spring is best to see the power of the river as it tumbles over the falls. Fall adds season color to the trail. The trailhead is at … Continue reading…
The main parking lot to access Okanagan Mountain Park from Kelowna is in an awkward spot. There is a good parking lot and a trail goes down to the beach below, but the routes into the park above climb quickly and wind up bluffs, through gullies, cross creeks, going up and down, without much reward. The Boulder Trail climbs up … Continue reading…
After the wildfires of 2003, the trail system on Okanagan Mountain Park has been slow to recover. One trail is permanently closed. Several others have been choked with windfall from dead trees or eroded from surface runoff. Black trees cover the hillside, but secondary shrub growth and sun-loving wild flowers have grown up. The trails are no longer a forested … Continue reading…
Wells Gray Corridor hikes start off the main road into Wells Gray. Most follow the Murtle Plateau to waterfalls, along rivers, or to lookouts. They are forest walks, excellent for the early season or late summer. They can be very buggy from June 1st through July 15th (or later). Few of the trails go very far since they are in … Continue reading…