Of all the principles of Leave No Trace, one of the most important tackles the topic of going to the bathroom when there are no facilities at hand. No one wants to visit a gorgeous location only to find a pile of poop or used toilet paper (and yet...). It's unsightly, it's bad for the … Continue reading Oh the places I’ve been…
Opinion: I quite like this trail for a quick but not too tough workout, the main downside being the cost of entry. Some superb views and great terrain to explore. Extending it with the Neverland Loop is fun, though I recommend following the suggested (counter-clockwise) route to avoid a tricky descent. Watch for those trail … Continue reading Al’s Habrich Ridge Trail, 12 Sep 2021
Opinion: Today wasn't the best day for this hike but we enjoyed it nonetheless. A pleasant mixture of old- and second-growth forest mostly on good hiking trails (good by North Shore standards anyway). We followed the route outlined in 105 Hikes, but we descended on Bill's Trail, rather then retracing our steps on the super-steep … Continue reading Mount Fromme, 8 Aug 2021
Opinion: Well, the South Chilcotin Mountains work their magic once again! A tough but immensely satisfying week-long traverse of the park with many literal and figurative ups and downs. If ever a trip could qualify as epic, it'd be this one. Although the weather was kinder to us than on previous trips, it was gratifying … Continue reading South Chilcotins, 17-25 Jul 2021
Opinion: A beautiful area for hiking and camping with gorgeous lakes, stunning vistas, and fascinating rock formations. There is a significant cost (physical or financial) to get here, but it's worth it, and it's a great destination for getting into backcountry camping without having to carry an overnight pack very far. The highlights are - … Continue reading Cathedral Lakes, 30 Jun – 5 Jul 2021
Opinion: This is a hike of two halves, in more ways than one: a super steep climb through lush forest and past sheer cliffs followed by an easy, if soul-destroying, descent on a dusty, rocky logging road. The only thing that each half has in common is some superb views of the mountain ranges across … Continue reading High Falls Creek, 16 May 2021
A touch of post-vaccine fatigue had us contemplating a flat cycle ride rather than a hike. We parked at the Mud Bay parking lot, which took some finding, where we had to wait for what felt like the world's longest train to pass before we could turn onto the access road. Views on the way … Continue reading Vignette: Boundary Bay, 15 May 2021
Opinion: Well, I have to say that this trail doesn't have a great deal going for it. It's steep, and when it's not steep it's rooty and muddy. Plus there are no views, while the sounds of the firing range and/or quarry are constant companions. And yet, I still want to hike this trail again … Continue reading Munro Lake, 23 May 2021
Opinion: Spring is probably the nicest time of year to hike this section of the Baden-Powell trail and the Lynn Valley Link offered a surprisingly nice way to turn it into a loop hike, despite several kilometres of street walking. It won't win prizes for views or solitude, and more than half of the uphill … Continue reading Baden-Powell Trail and Lynn Valley Link, 2 May 2021
Seeking - and finding - tranquility on a sometime rainy day I expected the park to be busier, but the threat of rain kept the crowds away so we had a delightful couple of hours checking out the usual viewpoints and exploring a couple of new ones, at least until the rain caught up with … Continue reading Vignette: Lighthouse Park, 25 Apr 2021
