Following the last post are coordinates and distances for each spot noted. Spot Coordinates Distance Boat launch N52 04.316 W119 35.752 0.0 km Murtle Lagoon Camp N52 04.464 W119 36.9544 1.5 km Straight Creek N52 07.731 W119 37.201 8.0 km Moonlight Bay N52 11.587 W119 40.342 16.5 km Eagle Point to be revised 21.8 km Murtle Beach N52 15.648 W119 … Continue reading…
One of the premier hikes in our province is the hike from Murtle Lake to the top of Wavy Crest Ridge. It is a very remote spot that takes some planning and time, but the trail is good and is always rewarding. From Blue River, take the Murtle Lake Road (look for the Blue River Campround sign) and follow this … Continue reading…
Many years ago, we used to hike up above the Lac le Jeune Ski Hill to get the first day of cross country skiing on the Ridge Lakes and Mildred Lake Trail. We could usually drive up the Ridge Lake Forest Service Road, then hike to the snow. At the top of the hill above Mildred Lake, the 5000 foot … Continue reading…
In the center of the Stake Lake Trail system is a volcanic hill/mesa. Four double track trails go over the shoulders of the hill and a rough single track winds its way along the top with viewpoints north, west, and south. Basalt columns and steep talus slopes line the north and west sides of the hill. The north side is … Continue reading…
On July 1st, it snowed all morning and I waded through snow drifts towards the peak. On July 24th, the trails were mostly dry, the sun was shining, the flowers are blooming, and the views were expansive. We could see Dunn Peak to our north, the Coast Range behind Lytton to our west-southwest, the Monashees to our east, and the … Continue reading…
One of the finest hikes in the Southern Cascades starts at treeline and continues through alpine meadows along ridges for 21 km. In Manning Provincial Park, drive up the road across from the Lodge to climb Blackwell Peak. Park at the end of the road at 2000m altitude and follow the Heather Trail. A loop route around the hilltop can … Continue reading…
Most of the focus of this site has been on Interior routes, trails, and waterways, but along our major transportation routes, there are opportunities for a walk or hike while traveling. A favorite stop while driving to Vancouver via the Lilloet-Pemberton road can be found just south of Pemberton. Either park at the Visitors Center or drive south towards Whistler … Continue reading…
Shuswap Trail Alliance has developed a new trail to a viewpoint high above Scotch Creek. The route in is well-marked. Watch for the rectangular signs at junctions. From Scotch Creek drive east, climbing the hill on the way to Celista. Watch for and turn onto Leopold Road on the upper side. Follow the road, staying right (small signs point … Continue reading…
Albas Provincial Park is located far out in the Seymour Arm of Shuswap Lake. Traveling along the North Shore, pass St. Ives to start the Seymour Arm Forest Service Road. At about 27.5 km, look for the turn down a steep narrow road to the lake. A provincial campsite with a lakefront beach sits on the west side of Celista … Continue reading…
The Lac du Bois area was used by ranchers back in the 1870s, but it was homesteaded starting in 1896 and quarter sections were claimed by homesteaders between 1910 and 1920. Between Wheeler Flats and Lac du Bois, about 150 people lived in the area and there were two schools built. With drought and harsh conditions, the homesteads were mostly … Continue reading…
Now that the chairlift is open at Sun Peaks Resort, the weather is also warming up to melt the last of the lingering snow on the top of the mountain.The front (south) face of the mountain is mostly snow-free already, except for a few pockets here and there. The trails are a little wet, so boots make good sense. For … Continue reading…
There are numerous hikes off the Wells Gray Corridor road. Many are not destination hikes, but if you are comping in the area, there are rewarding routes. Two shorter hikes are featured here. Bailey's Chute/West Lake Loop The parking lot and trailhead for Bailey's Chute is well-signed. The first section follows the river upstream down through a wet zone (look … Continue reading…
At the end of the Wells Gray corridor, the road ends at Clearwater Lake. Progress beyond this point requires a boat. Two campgrounds along the shores of the Clearwater River bring hikers to the area and there are a number of hiking trails nearby. The main hiking trail is the Chain Meadows Trail, but there are also a number of … Continue reading…
One of our favorite hikes in the Cascades is Mount Frosty. The trailhead is at the east end of Lightning Lake. It switchbacks up through dense forest for about an hour. A few views of the lakes chain below can be seen. At 7km there is a wilderness campsite (Frosty Creek). The next half hour of hiking is through larch … Continue reading…
Although we rarely go to Manning Park to do the Lightning Lakes trails, we inevitably do this route almost every time. Manning Park is in a wet belt and alpine areas are often shrouded in clouds and rain is frequent. Snow lingers up high late into the summer and limits access. The Trail report from the Parks site dated June … Continue reading…
We have been visiting Manning Park for a few decades and have enjoyed the trails and routes in all 4 seasons. It is a large park with a number of recreational opportunities. With the invasion of pine beetle and budworm, the forest has changed, but it is still a great destination for outdoors people, especially for hiking, running, and cross-country … Continue reading…