BC trip direction

[4runnerguy]

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.

[profdant139]

SideHill, forgive the naive question, but what is nicking? I looked it up but came up empty.

[SideHillSoup]

4runnerguy wrote:
Yes, KVR was on my radar. I understand that the Myra trestles have been rebuilt. There are a few other rails to trails in the general area, such as the Nakusp and Slocum, Columbia and Western, etc. I know that the rails to trails aren't too difficult or technical, but we can cover so much more territory than the typical MTB trail where we are so focused on the next curve or rock rather than the scenery around us.
?

The Nakusp ATV club has been working on the trail they mainatain ( Nakusp to Slocan Lake ) and have the old rail bed from Summit Lake down to Nakusp cleaned up and in great shape. From Summit lake to just about The north end of Slocan lake is still over grown but can be used. Just make noise ( sing) and carry bear spray as the brush is grown in and you would see a bear u til you were on top of him.
The Columbia and western trail ( I'm a member) has done extensive grading and de-bushing this last fall from the beginning of the trail just west of Castlegar to with in a few Km of Christina lake , with more work coming in the spring when snow clears. We have also installed a couple of gazebos with pictures and natitive of the area and the building of the railways, with picnic tables and outhouses. The first part of the hike is along the Lower Arrow lakes through three short tunnels past the first Gazebo and three tressels as you slowly climb hundreds of feet above the lake with beautiful views of the lake far below, before the railbed turns to go through a 3/4 mile long tunnel to another Gazebo.
There is also the southern part of the Slocan valley railway from South Slocan to Slocan city this rail bed is relitivly flat and wanders along the Slocan river all the way from start to finish.
There is also some great nicking around New Denver up towards Sandon.
Soup

[4runnerguy]

This Sunshine Coast Trail sounds like a lot of fun. We stayed in huts on many of our backpacking trips in Alaska (see our pic in our sig), and having a dry place to stay and the security of solid walls to keep the bears out was quite nice.

Unfortunately, I'm just a year out from shoulder surgery and even my camelback makes my shoulder complain. Just takes so much more time to heal anymore. I'll keep this trail in mind for a future summer excursion.

Thanks for the info.

[daveB110]

All look like great suggestions. Where I live we have one of the best hiking trails in Canada. This is the longest hut to hut experience in the country, spaced to be reachable on a days travel, are thirteen huts, with more in the planning. There are opportunities to take a break, travel down and join civilization for a change in pace. It is the Sunshine Coast Trail, on B.C.'s mainland coast about 100 miles north of Vancouver, located on the Upper Sunshine Coast. Take the ferry out of Horseshoe Bay and another from the end of the Sechelt Penninsula, from Earls Cove. Or travel from Comox on Vancouver Island by BC Ferry and their new Salish Class ship, to Powell River. This trail covers 180 kilometers of hikeable mountainous terrain and coastal waterway from Sarah Point in Desolation Sound in the north to Saltery Bay in the south.

[crosscheck]

marpel wrote:
Just keep in mind, provincial parks are very popular during summer months in the Vancouver/Whistler area, and Alice Lake is one of those at the top of the popularity list. If I was going to give it a try, I would reserve as soon as possible.

There was a controversy this past summer with people/companies block-booking multiple park campground sites for re-renting to out-of-town/country visitors. Although I think that has been somewhat mitigated by changing some of the rules. One of the reasons I initially suggested a private RV park.

Haven't checked so not sure of the quantity/quality of private RV parks in/around the Squamish area (sort of half way between Vancouver and Whistler and in the same general area as Alice Lake).

Marv

I was just going to say that this comment from Marv is bang on. The only positive thing about camping in Provincial Parks between Vancouver and Pemberton in June, you may have a better chance with out a reservation than in July/August. Whistler has a municiple campground. Squamish may have private campgrounds. Nairn Falls PP east of Whisler on the way to Pemberton usually has lots of spots.

There are 5 Forestry Rec sites between Pemberton and Lillooet on #99 but that is a long ways from Vancouver.

Dave

[marpel]

Just keep in mind, provincial parks are very popular during summer months in the Vancouver/Whistler area, and Alice Lake is one of those at the top of the popularity list. If I was going to give it a try, I would reserve as soon as possible.

There was a controversy this past summer with people/companies block-booking multiple park campground sites for re-renting to out-of-town/country visitors. Although I think that has been somewhat mitigated by changing some of the rules. One of the reasons I initially suggested a private RV park.

Haven't checked so not sure of the quantity/quality of private RV parks in/around the Squamish area (sort of half way between Vancouver and Whistler and in the same general area as Alice Lake).

Marv

[4runnerguy]

Yes, KVR was on my radar. I understand that the Myra trestles have been rebuilt. There are a few other rails to trails in the general area, such as the Nakusp and Slocum, Columbia and Western, etc. I know that the rails to trails aren't too difficult or technical, but we can cover so much more territory than the typical MTB trail where we are so focused on the next curve or rock rather than the scenery around us.

I already use Trailforks and have been consulting it about every day trying to figure out what trails we want to do. Of course I want to leave plenty of time for hiking, too. (Although that can seem so slow after riding!)

Dave, I like the added places you added. We've been to Revelstoke and Glacier NP's before. Revelstoke was on our list for this trip because several people had highly recommended the Frisby Ridge trail, but I guess it is undergoing a major reconstruction and won't be open until mid-July, so we may miss it this time. I started some of my planning a couple of months ago with the list of PP's you provided to profdant139 back in 2012.

I like staying in the more southerly part of the province. I know there are some great PP's further north, but I'd rather spend our time outside doing things rather than in the vehicle driving to the next destination. The northern parks are for later when Allison is also retired!

I was thinking about camping at Alice Lake PP and using it as a base to explore south to Vancouver and north to maybe as far as Whistler. Reasonable or is there a better alternative?

[crosscheck]

garyhaupt wrote:
crosscheck..you haven't included the Kettle Valley Railway path in the Okanagan Valley. It too is a destination for many.


Gary Haupt

That is an excellent suggestion. We have cycled the section from Midway to Merritt a number of years ago before the original Myra Canyon tressels were destroyed in the great forest fire. Very interesting for sure.

Dave

[garyhaupt]

crosscheck..you haven't included the Kettle Valley Railway path in the Okanagan Valley. It too is a destination for many.


Gary Haupt

[crosscheck]

4runnerguy,

The list I gave you is just a rough outline of things to consider. As I don't know your hiking and biking capabilities, these suggestions may be fine or turfed out. I have a few more comments:

1) We use the Trailforks app for info on over 7000 MTB trails in BC and oh course a lot of other areas.

2) If you are interested in a few southern interior PP's head south from Vernon on #6 to New Denver/ Slocan and hike in Valhalla PP.

3)South to Nelson. MTB

4)Head up lake and drive up to Kokanee Glacier PP and hike the many trails.

5)Head to Fernie MTB.

6) Drive to Invermere, past Panarama ski area and go to the end of the road. Hike up to the ridge. Fabulous views of the Jumbo Glacier.

7) Drive to Radium, turn left and drive to trailhead for the Lake of the Hanging Glacier hike. Free boondocking at trailhead.

😎 North to Golden and hike Bugaboos.

9) Back to Golden for MTB and Hwy#1.

10) If you haven't been there before stop off at Waterton NP which shares the border with Glacier NP(USA) and hike for a week.

Head home and sleep for 11 months.

I will try to answer any questions you have if you are interested.

Dave

[4runnerguy]

Marv, thanks for the suggestions. I have been toying with the idea of heading to Vancouver first. Banff is closer so that's always been our first stop, but this trip we have no constraints about where to go first. The biggest constraint may be where is the best place to hole up for the first week of July with Canada and the 4th in the US. I'm sure it will be packed everywhere.

Wow, Dave, thanks for all the info. I'll have to get the map out and plot this all out. We've done a few of the hikes you've mentioned, but your list is big. No, we're not backpacking this trip. A combination of mountain biking and hiking.

I would have responded sooner but we were in Moab for the week. Ran across people from both BC and AB and got lots of MTB trail suggestions. There's never enough time, is there? One place that came up a couple of times is Fernie, so doing some reading on that.

As far as rougher roads, we might not take the trailer in, but still might day trip to dome of those parks.

Thanks again for the post. I know you put a lot of time into all of that.

[crosscheck]

4runnerguy,

Sounds like a fun time. You didn't say that you were planning to backpack so the hikes that I have sugested are day hikes.

1) Enter BC through #97 at Osoyoos. (good MTB in Winthrop, Leavenworth Wa.) Drive to Manning PP where there is good hiking and camping.

2) Drive to Vancouver and stop off at Golden Ears PP. Climb Golden Ears.

3) Head to Squamish for excellent MTB of all abilities.

4) Head to Whisler and hike Garabaldi Lake, Black Tusk, Panorama Ridge.

5) Whisler area for MTB. Take gondola up and hike to Russel Lake.

6)Head towards Pemberton. Hike up Wedgemount Lake and beyond.

7) Pemberton, start MTB from 1 mile lake.

😎 Head out #99 to Joffre Lakes , hike to the 3rd lake and if you want to leave everybody behind, keep hiking straight when you come to the left turn across the bridge to the highest lake and campground. Hike up to the glacier.

9) #99 to Lillooet. Head east to Revelstoke if you want to be in the mountains or sidetrack to Merritt, Kelowna(MTB), Vernon (MTB) and then on to Revelstoke. The Okanagan Valley can be nice and sunny in the summer with lots of lakes.

10)Revelstoke. MacPherson Trails(MTB), hike Mt. Begby, MTB Keystone Basin(gorgeous but buggy). Ask to camp in the Nordic centre parking area.

11) Drive #1 to Glacier NP and hike Hermit to the shoulder of Mt. Sifton(spectacular views), Abbott Ridge to the end, Perley Rock and onto the Illecillewaet Glacier, Asulkan Valley, Avalanche Crest.

12) Golden MTB. Detour on #95 and hike the Bugaboos.

13) YoHo NP Hike from Takkaka Falls and do the round trip to Twin Falls, Little Yoho, Iceline trail and back to the falls.

14) Lake Ohara. Hike the Climbers Route. Make reservations well in advance for the bus or hike the 11km up and take a chance of getting a ride back down.(we did no problems)

15) Lake Louise. Hike Paradise Valley/ Giant Steps/Sentinal Pass/ Morrain Lake, back to vehicle of catch a ride back down from the lake.

16)Camp at Waterfowl Lake or Mosquito Creek Campgrounds, #93. Hike South and North Molar Passes, Helen Lake , Cirque Peak.

17) Head towards Jasper, hike Wilcox Pass, Nigal Pass, Mt. Edith Cavell to the top of the pass.

18) Head back to #1 hike Castle Mt, Bourgeau Lake/Mt, Cascade Mt, Mt, Rundle,

19) Travel on to Canmore. MTB at Nordic centre and around town. Hike Hy Ling, East Rundle.

20)#742 along the Spray Lakes. Hike Tent Ridge near Mt. Shark helipad. Hike Chester Lake- Headwall Valley circuit.

21) Drive to Kanaskis Lakes. Hike Rawson Lake trip. Northover Ridge Route(long day), South Kanaskis Pass.

Head to Calgary. Near Bragg Creek Mtb. Home.

There are of course hundreds of BC Provincial Parks which have great scenery and hiking but many are backpack trips and you sometimes have to drive rougher roads to get there.

Good luck on your planning.

I've got lots of photos of these areas if you want to get an idea of what the terrain is like.

Dave

[marpel]

I think at that time of the year, the weather should be OK regardless of the direction you travel (although as stated by others, you can hit unexpected inclement weather in both the Rockies and coastal mountains). I also think it matters little in the Rockies as to when you travel during that time frame as it relates to crowds. Banff et al are crowded all the time.

Having said that, I would suggest you start in the Vancouver area (a good rv park to stay at is Capilano River RV Park - on the "North Shore" just across the river from Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver and within a few minutes drive to three local mountains - Grouse Mtn, Cypress Mtn, Seymour Mtn - all hiker and biker friendly).

From there head north to Whistler, another hub for great hiking and biking (you have to do the Joffre Lake chain - three spectacular lakes, the farthest about a 4 kilometre hike - very recommended - try googling them to see the views - trails are steep but in real good condition). The Area needs a couple days to take in all the activities.

Continue north, then east towards Kamloops/Okanagan area and dry almost desert like/wine country. A lot of activities in this area as well.

Then continue eastward through the Revelstoke and Golden areas (again more hiking/biking) en route to Banff (sounds like you know this area so no need to provide activity advise).

Return to the U.S. via Highway 2 from Calgary Alta.

Although I drive (and pull a trailer) a few times a year from Vancouver BC to Denver Co via the main interstates, I have also taken various alternate routes and can give suggestions on these routes if you wish (like through Crater Lake area and spending time in the Columbia River Gorge doing hiking etc.).

Regards,

Marv

[explorenorth]

Artum Snowbird wrote:
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.

I'm counting on that, Mike - I'm coming down from Whitehorse and spending all of next May and maybe a bit more on the Island 🙂

[paulj]

the Coastal Mountains, esp. north of Vancouver, or the Rocky Mountains around Banff, Jasper, and the Purcell's?

I would suggest a loop. I'll describe it one way, but it could be reversed.

Starting in Montana (I15), AB22 to 40 into Kananaskis country. Check the opening time for Highwood Pass on 40 (mid June?). These AB prov parks rival Banff etc.

Canmore (there was major flooding in this area in Mid June several years back), Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper. Possible side trips into Kootenay and Yoho.

Mt Robeson (16), 5 S to Kamloops, with side trip into Wells Gray (lots of waterfalls, lakes)

1 to Cache Creek, 99 to Lillooet, and S to Whistler. Best access to the Coast Mtns. Be prepared for grades. I spent several weeks make a couple loops on backroads in this area.

Speaking of Backroads - check out the Musio Backroads Mapbooks (like Delourme Atlas, only better).

99 to Vancouver, 1 and 3 east. Manning Prov Park. Nelson area, Kootenays. If there wasn't time to go all the way to the coast, I'd consider making a shorter loop from Kamloops to Nelson and 3.

Return to the USA on 93/95 or via Glacier (the US one).

The main thing that misses the Hwy 1 through Golden, Glacier NP (CA) to Revelstoke.


By July you might have to adjust your route around forest fires. I think schools are out late June. July 2 is Canada day, so the long weekend will be as busy as in the USA. I'd plan reservations, or settling in someplace with hiking access before that.

Browse the BC Prov parks site.