Bitterroots Nature Hike
On the May long weekend I drove to an area south of Ashcroft. First I paddled Venables Lake, then I drove to an area (Red Hill) where I can reliably find bitterroots in bloom at this time of the year. … Continue reading →
East Rim Nature Hike
On a greyish, drizzly day I went for a hike along the rim of both sides of Peterson Creek Park, dropping down to the creek twice for an up-and-down loop route. Wildflowers and flowering shrubs were abundant. It was a … Continue reading →
A Nature Hike on the Escarpment
We hiked up a steep trail from the Dewdrop Range to the rim of the Red Plateau Escarpment, a 9.2 km return strenuous hike (2400 feet elevation gain). The trail follows a gully, then an open rocky ridge to the … Continue reading →
Denman Island Mosses
Denman Island is covered in mosses. We hiked a number of trails on the island and all of the forested areas have a rich variety of mosses. Some of the species were new to us and some we have identified … Continue reading →
Moul and McDiarmid Falls Nature Hike
We travelled to Clearwater, then north to Wells Gray Provincial Park. We parked at the trailhead to Moul Falls, and then hiked for 3 hours, first down to Moul Falls, then over and down to McDiarmid Falls. Most of the … Continue reading →
Mara Mountain Nature Hike
On an early May day I hiked up to the top of Mara Mountain from Pruden Pass, the northeast route. there are no trails for half of the hike, but it is a route I have been doing every year … Continue reading →
Stein Valley Nature Hike
In early May we drove to Lytton, then took the reaction ferry to the western side of the Fraser River, then drove up to the trailhead for Stein River Nlaka’pamux Heritage (Provincial) Park. We hiked upriver and back for 4 … Continue reading →
Niskonlith Hills Spring Wildflowers
After paddling on Shuswap Lake, I drove up the Bear Creek road to the Niskonlith hills area for a quick check on wildflowers in bloom. The main avalanche lily bloom was diminishing, but there were wide swaths of balsamroot in … Continue reading →
Copper Island Nature Hike
On a spring day I drove out to the north shore of Shuswap Lake and parked at the Scotch Creek Park boat launch. I paddled across to Copper Island and landed on the east side of the island. I secured … Continue reading →
A Nature Hike on the Barnes Trails
On a mid-April day we hiked a 9.6 km route on the Barnes Lake Trails in Barnhartvale. The routes are horse-and-hiker trails through grasslands slopes, ponderosa pine open forests, and douglas fir forests on glaciated terrain. Although we were … Continue reading →
On the Stony Lake Trail
On a pleasant April day the Lac du Bois Grasslands Conservation area called for a nature hike. It did not disappoint. The entire route was covered in wildflowers and there were many birds along the loop route. The trail was … Continue reading →
On the Low Iron Trail
We hike all year round and on many trails. In season, we stay alert to the flora and fauna we see along the route. We stop to observe and photograph what interests us that day. Plants in flower always attract … Continue reading →