We camped at Jasper and hiked a number of trails in the park. One of the hikes we chose was Verdant Pass. The trailhead is at the parking lot next to Cavell Lake to the northeast of the mountain. We hiked past the end of Cavell Lake and continued southwest above the Astoria River. After passing the slopes of Mount Sorrow, we could … Continue reading →
Getting out on the trails almost every day all winter can be challenging, but a variety of activity choices like snowshoeing, spike hiking, and valley-bottom walks/hikes allows some flexibility with changing weather and conditions. When the roads are clear enough to get into the high country hills south and north of Kamloops, snowshoeing is the preferred winter activity. Off the Lac le Jeune Road, … Continue reading →
We camped at Waterton by the lakeside and hiked trails each day in Waterton National Park. One of the hikes we did was Crypt Lake. To get to the trailhead, we had to book a ride on the ferry. The ferry service leaves from the Marina and it takes 15 – 20 minutes to land at the trailhead on the far side of … Continue reading →
In the New Year there was lots of snow in both the Bush Lake, Stake Lake, Lac le Jeune, Lodgepole Lake and Dogwood Marshes areas. On a cool day, the Bush Lake North area was the area to see if tracks had been set and if logging in the area had removed some trails. From the parking lot across the Lac le Jeune Road, I … Continue reading →
On a cool morning I snowshoed a route in the Lodgepole Lake area. It had been warm the day before then it went below zero overnight (-9 at the trailhead), so the snow was crunchy and hard, but okay for snowshoeing on stomped-in tracks. Since I know the trails quite well I went out with no particular route in mind, choosing a trail at … Continue reading →
On the last day of the year I cross country skied first then snowshoed a 2.3 hour loop route on the Stake Lake Snowshoe Trails. We followed signed trails – Giant Firs > Marsh > Basalt Bluffs > Lake Trail. The trails were stomped in and in good shape (thanks to Roy and Monika for the trail clearing). This is a scenic route without long … Continue reading →
Over the years we have hiked (and run) the Skyline Trail in Manning Park, clock-wise and counter-clockwise. The way up from Lightning Lake is a long steep climb, so I preferred to go to the top of the ridge from Gibson Pass. On one year, I hiked from Gibson Pass to Despair Pass, then turned right to continue on the Skyline Two Trail. Its a … Continue reading →
On a blustery winter day near the end of December, the hike was one I did in the same time period in the previous year. From the Pacific Way trailhead in Kenna Cartwright Park I followed a series of trails: Upper Doc Findlay > Owl’s Perch > Ruffed Grouse > Upper Doug Daws > North Vista > and then back on a well-stomped route. The conditions … Continue reading →
We have been to Galiano Island a few times to hike, paddle, and explore. One of the best trails on this Gulf Island is on Mount Galiano. We hiked to the top of Mt. Galiano one day to enjoy the views, then we hiked the the Collison Park Trails another day. The trail to the top of Mt. Galiano winds up through the forest … Continue reading →
In shoulder season when hiking conditions are variable and hard-to-predict, its nice to have a few routes that are reliable. One of these is the Rivers Trail, starting at Aviation Way. The trail follows the top of the dike. The dike has compacted gravels so it drains well. It can be snowy or even icy, but it is rarely muddy (except in … Continue reading →
