Hiking in Jasper on the September long weekend.

I planned to lead a club hiking trip to Jasper on the September long weekend.   But that fell through.  It's one thing to lead a day hike, but another thing to organize a weekend one.  I reserved a spot at the Whistler's group campsite way back in Spring, and paid the small $20 deposit.  It would be a great cheap way for the club to enjoy the park!

But alas, due the rainy weather forecasted, I didn't have enough people interested and I had to cancel the club trip almost at the last moment.

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But not to fear!  Fellow club member, Uta, who wanted to go on the trip, STILL wanted to go on the trip, even if it was not part of the club.  Even though I had just biked through there in August, I was excited to return.

We drove out on Saturday morning, stopping by some rivers, including one in Valemont, to see if any Salmon were spawing.  We spotted some in Valemont.

Afterwards. we continued on to Jasper. As it was still raining, we decided to keep dry at the Jasper Park Lodge.  It reminded me of hotel in the Shining, for some reason.  

A long fun weekend at Murtle Lake Provincial Park

 
Now for something completely different - Canoeing adventures at Murtle Lake

British Columbia is full of beautiful quiet places to enjoy nature that are not accessible by a vehicle.  Recently, I got to go on a Caledonia Ramblers hiking club trip to Murtle Lake Provincial Park.  Murtle Lake is located 100 km South of Valemont, on Highway 5.  It is the largest non-powered lake in North America!  All the campsites and trail heads are only accessible by canoe or kayak

Hiking Mt. Murray on second day of Summer

It may have been an early start to the day, but 19 eager hikers showed up at City Hall to enjoy the forecasted Sunny day in the Alpine.

Long trip out to Mt. Magnus

It was going to be a crazy long drive out to Mt. Magnus, but I decided to go anyways!  I wanted to use the drive out to study canoes for a canoe exam that I would be having a day after the trip.  Good excuse, I'd say!  We drove for 4 1/2 hours which included a 12 km trip down the WRONG road.  When it started narrowing, we knew something was wrong.

Upcoming Adventures!

Sure, I am not going to be on this season's Amazing Race, but I'd say that I still got some exciting adventures planned for 2014 and 2015!  A bicycle this year, and my feet, next year!

This Summer, I want to use my bicycle again and ride locally so I can save more money for the adventure below this.  I am planning to either ride to Prince Rupert or ride from Prince Rupert to home.  I would take the Via Rail in the other direction.  If any of my rider friends are interested in joining me, send me an email!
I am also hoping to help out with Tour De Jasper again.

I want to save big time for next year's adventure.  I am planning to hike the Inca Trail with Gap Adventures. I want to do more then just that if I am going that far, hence saving more money. (Although Egypt is another one of those places I want to go, but not sure about it at this time)

I have a writer friend who is familiar with the trails in Bolivia, so that is one option.  There's so many places to visit like Ecuador, Columbia... got to keep saving!  And having no car and using a bicycle and feet for transportation is a great way to save! 

A Sunny February walk around Prince George

  
After having cold weather last weekend which was a long one in BC, it was refreshing to see it warm up and still be sunny! After having a rather boring weekend as I didn't feel like venturing outside very far, I was so excited to go for a walk.

Snowshoeing with the Ramblers - Wilkins Park

Despite it being a chilly morning on Sunday, December 8, we had eight people show up for the hike.   As there wasn't still enough snow in the bush, we didn't need to use snowshoes.We did two hikes on the trip.  After hiking around Wilkins Park which is next to the Nechako River, we drove down the way a bit to do another quick hike along the river. 

Hiking with the Caledonia Ramblers - Ginter's SW loop

The snow had to come sooner or later.  And on Sunday, November 17, it came on the day we hiked through Ginter's Park.  But this was just the start of it, so we didn't need to use our snowshoes yet.  There was a smaller group, perhaps more were scared off by the snow, but not me!  I LOVE snow!  I really do.

Backside to UNBC hike with the Caledonia Ramblers

On Sunday, November 10, I was very excited to get a chance to practice using my compass.  It has been sitting in a box for a few years, since the last Rambler's compass session.

Twenty people joined the leader Nowell, on the hike behind UNBC.  The club had extras for those who did not have a compass.

North Nechako Hills - Hike with the Caledonia Ramblers -

(Written on November 3)
Another weekend has come and there's still no snow!  It's a great day to get out to do another hike with the Caledonia Ramblers.  On Sunday, November 3, I joined them for a local hike up in the North Nechako area.  It was nice to be able to sleep in, but still take a hike in!

I am amazed at how many sunny days that we have been getting and this particular Sunday, it was no exception.  At least 19 people showed up to enjoy the good weather and views.

Slim Creek Provincial Park - Hike with the Caledonia Ramblers

On October 27, I joined the Ramblers for another exciting hike.  This particular day, we would be hiking in Slim Creek Provincial Park, just across from the Ancient Forest.  Even though it didn't get very warm that day, when the sun was shining, it seemed to warm things up a bit.  We had a good turnout of 12 people who wanted to explore the area.  As there is no trail, we would be bushwhacking, but it would turn out to not be nearly as bad as the infamous Ramblers bushwhack hikes with Mike Nash.

Huble Farm Family Hike with the Caledonia Ramblers

On the Thanksgiving weekend, I joined the Caledonia Ramblers and the Huble Homestead for the Huble Farm Family hike.  The weather was incredibly good that weekend, and we were surrounded by the beautiful colour of Autumn.  Nineteen people, including some children, showed up for the interpretive hike.

Autumn in the Ancient Forest

On September 22, I joined the Ramblers for a hike at the Ancient Forest, which is over 100 kms east of  Prince George.  There were over 10 people who came on the hike which was led by Nowell.  The Ancient Forest has many Ancient Cedars that are over 1000 years old!  It is a very unique and special place, as it's an Interior Rainforest (Snowforest).  There are not too many places in the world where you will find them.

Northern BC Summers- Boulder Mountain

A couple of weeks before the gorgeous summer weather ended (September 1), I got to take in another spectacular hike with the Caledonia Ramblers.  We were going to hike up Boulder Mountain, which is over 1 hours drive East by LaSalle Lake.  You may recall that LaSalle Lake is where we camped the second night on Tour De Jasper in July.  I didn't realize that I've seen Boulder every time I ride.. I just could recognize which peak it was.

West Coast Trail Blog Post

My West Coast Trail blog post for Destination BC has finally been published.  Trust me, it was worth the wait!  Show your support and check it out now at http://blog.hellobc.com/hiking-the-west-coast-trail/

It was VERY hard not to post anything about it beforehand, as it was such a fabulous trip!

Northern BC Summers - Raven Lake

This Summer we have been having fantastic weather!  To make the most of it, I've been out hiking on many of the Caledonia Rambler's hikes on the weekend in August.  On August , I joined the club for a hike up Raven Lake/Grizzly Den.  We were going to be hiking 17 kms.

Tis the Season for training

Training for big backpacking trip.

 Summer is approaching fast and so is my Summer Adventure training.  I am going to be riding to Jasper for my fourth time and then I will be hiking for 7 days on the West Coast Trail.  This is the LONGEST backpacking trip that I will have ever done.  And my pack will weigh a ton!

Adventures on Mt. Magnus

Vinje Grind - Mt. Magnus

Eleven hikers went on the Saturday, June 1st hike to Mt. Magnus led by 80+ year old Don.
On the drive out, we saw at least 8 bears/cubs!
Instead of having to have to take off boot to walk through the creek, Don drove those who chose not to walk across it, in his truck.  He then drove further up the road until he could turnaround.  It was nice not having to walk all the way up the road.  We then continued on foot up to the ridge.  It's a steep but short climb to get to the Alpine.  As it is the first to be snow free in the area, it's a great early season hike!

Viking Ridge in the Off Season

I've hiked up Viking Ridge many times, but always during hiking Season which runs from July until October.  This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go up with my snowshoe/hiking friends who have a once a week Ladies only hike/snowshoe.

As there is still snow up high, we brought our snowshoes.

Pope Mountain and Fort St. James

It was a wet Sunday mornings, and despite my hesitations I decided to go hiking with the Ramblers.  It surprised me to see 30 other people wanting to hike too!  I guess bad weather is no excuse!