BC trip direction

If you like wine, the Okanagon valley would be ideal. Coast? From what I remember from my working days, the coast is pretty difficult, lots of ferry rides with little in between. Except maybe Vancouver island. Rockies? That would be my first choice. Banff north kind of folowing the Columbia to the head waters.

By mid June the snowpack is down and the mud has dried. By that time trails should all be clear with summer activity open and good to go 4runnerguy

4runnerguy wrote:
We're hoping to spend around a month in BC next summer from mid-June to mid-July. I realize things can be different from year to year, but on average, would you think trails and such are more accessible earlier in the Coastal Mountains, esp. north of Vancouver, or the Rocky Mountains around Banff, Jasper, and the Purcell's? Just trying to figure out if it's best to go east to west or west to east during that time frame.

By June most of the snow will be gone but never dry.
The coastal areas are mountain rain forrest, always expect wet conditions even if it is sunny when you start out it can rain at anytime. The mountains can have micro climates changing from one valley system to the next.

The interior mountain systems are alittle more stable and should be drier. I have been in snow storms while climbing even in June and July. Hiking should be good but expect bugs, black flies, mosquitos, nats and noseeums.

You will be good during that period, only the highest trails may still have snow. You probably already know this but BE PREPARED with proper hiking gear, emergency supplies and let someone know where you are going and expect to return. SAR has been very busy with rescues and the unfortunate recoveries.

Well, you may have to wait till you are on the road to decide! (That is one of the best aspects of RV travel -- much less need to make firm reservations.) One year, we were planning to hit the North Cascades in Washington (right on the BC border) in late June, when the trails are usually open. We called the ranger, who said, "Don't come -- there is still ten feet of snow, and it is rotting and unstable."

So we got off the freeway at the next exit and spent two weeks circumnavigating Mt. Rainier, a wonderful trip.

Whenever we head into the mountains in Canada, we bring along snowshoes and microspikes, since it is always possible that there is snow and ice at the higher elevations. If you have never used microspikes, you will love them -- it is like four wheel drive for your boots.

We live on Vancouver Island. We are about 45 minutes away from Strathcona Park, and that is one of the best parks for serious hiking in BC. There are many beautiful Provincial Parks, from hot showers provided, to pump it yourself well water from a well. Lakes about, a huge network of trails to glacier height if you so desire.

One thing to consider is your tent trailer, and restrictions in some parks on soft side trailers. It varies, but can be a problem.

If you want rustic, wild and remote beauty away from the crowds that fill the National Parks, you can easily spend your entire month on Vancouver Island, and fill every day with adventure and new experiences.

pm me if it might interest you. Mike

skip banff and look at tweedsmuir.it's way less busy and the drive is outstanding.also look into forest service sites and save ca$h.

Gosh, bcbouy, if Ken has never been to Banff and Jasper and the Icefields, I would not skip them unless there is way too much snow. The Canadian Rockies are just amazing. Yes, there are lots of tourists, but it's crowded for good reason!

Tweedsmuir is intriguing, though -- way off the beaten path.

There is so much variation in snowpack and melt from season to season and place to place. Most years the hiking in the Purcells and Rockies is good by mid-June but you will be crossing some snow patches at higher elevations and you likely know this can be hazardous in some sections of trails. It has been so long since I hiked in the coast ranges that I can't give any honest input there about snowpack.

This season we already have a meter of snow at 7000 feet elevation and above but have little or no snow at 6000 feet or below in the southern Rockies and Purcells. The forecast is for cooler and wetter weather in the early winter than usual meaning a bigger snowpack.

Something to factor in is the absence of National Park fees in 2017 likely meaning higher usage than usual and fuller campgrounds than usual. This would not affect the coast as the parks there are Provincial. It might be wise to start in the Rockies since you would be there before school holidays and might beat some of the crowds.

Enjoy!

Powder pig wrote:
Something to factor in is the absence of National Park fees in 2017 likely meaning higher usage than usual and fuller campgrounds than usual. This would not affect the coast as the parks there are Provincial. It might be wise to start in the Rockies since you would be there before school holidays and might beat some of the crowds.

First, I have to say that I tell people around here that I'm also a Powder Pig!

I didn't realize the NP's have no admission fees next year. That pretty much settles our route. Definitely want to get to Banff, Jasper, etc. before the crowds get to big. We've been there before but there's still lots of trails we haven't done marked in our books.

I guess my question stemmed from a post about a trail north of Vancouver where someone hit snow even in mid-July this year. I just didn't know if that was a common occurrence. If it looks like a heavy snow year, we may well throw in the snowshoes and/or Yaktraks.

As for Vancouver Island, I just don't know if we'll have the time to get out there this trip. We've visited the southern part of the island several times as my dad used to live on the Olympic Peninsula in WA. He was close to the ferry terminal in Port Angeles so day trips or overnighters weren't to hard to plan.

Thanks for all the input. I'm sure I'll have other questions as we get into full planning mode. We'll be in BC for the week that has both Canada Day and the US 4th of July holiday, so getting reservations for that week seems almost mandatory.