Sea kayaking from the Ecomarine Paddlesport Centre on Vancouver’s English Bay

By Keith and Heather Nicol

     On Monday July 8 we decided to head out on the water and try sea kayaking from downtown Vancouver to iconic Siwash Rock. Siwash Rock is an 18 meter sea stack which sticks out along the popular sea wall and is a prominent landmark in Stanley Park. It makes a worthy goal for a 2 hour paddle from Ecomarine’s Paddlesport Centre on English Bay and we opted to rent a double kayak to make it easier to take pictures.  Ecomarine’s English Bay location is conveniently located for anyone living in downtown Vancouver and it is right on one of the most popular beaches in the city. We decided to head out in the morning since often winds pick up in the afternoon and we were rewarded with a very pleasant paddle past the highrises of English Bay toward forested Stanley Park. Along the way saw many people walking and biking along the seawall which rings Stanley Park.  

Paddling past the highrises of downtown Vancouver

    We didn’t see much birdlife or other wildlife but enjoyed views of downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park and the North Shore Mountains in the distance and after 40 minutes we rounded Siwash Rock. We enjoyed paddling the narrow passage between the shore and Siwash Rock and we then paddled back to our launch point. By now the wind was picking up and we were glad we had chosen a double kayak since it was very stable in the choppy water. Another factor to consider in paddling in this area is that there is lots of boat traffic further out in English Bay and this can result in some big waves being created as large boats move in and out of this area. The shoreline of Vancouver is very photogenic and a great way to see it is from the seat of a sea kayak. Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres have 3 locations in Vancouver and the English Bay location is well worth checking out for sea kayaking -- see: https://www.ecomarine.com/  for more information.  They also rent paddleboards and single kayaks from this spot as well.

We rounded Siwash Rock as part of our tour

Hiking to the summit of Mt Strachan in Cypress Provincial Park near Vancouver

by Keith and Heather Nicol

     On Saturday, August 6 we were in Vancouver visiting with our daughter Kristie and her boyfriend Eric. We often like to do a new hike when we are in Vancouver and so for this trip we decided to hike to the top of Mt. Strachan which is accessed by an extensive trail system that exists in Cypress Provincial Park. In past hikes we have trekked to St Marks Summit and to the Eagle Bluffs lookout and details of those hikes can be found by here: http://keithnicol.blogspot.ca/2015/08/hiking-to-st-marks-summit-on-howe-sound.html and http://keithnicol.blogspot.ca/2015/03/hiking-to-eagle-bluffs-at-cypress.html.  Mt. Strachan is a loop trail but is not marked on the trail maps that are posted at the trailhead and along the way so if you decide to do this hike it pays to do some further internet research to help you figure out the route. Mt Strachan is one of three mountains that make up Cypress Mountain Ski Resort and it offers great views of the Lions, Howe Sound and the surrounding peaks. 

Kristie and Eric walking up the gully 

    The trail starts near the Cypress Mountain Ski Resort day lodge and we decided to take the trail in  Total distance was close to 7 km and it took us about 3.5 hours to walk this route. We enjoyed this hike but will have to return when it isn’t so cloudy since we didn`t get much of a view from the top.        

Parts of a plane crash can be seen enroute

a clockwise direction. We followed the well marked Howe Sound Crest Trail toward Bowen Lookout and St Mark`s Summit. Then when you cross 2 small wooden bridges keep your eye pealed for a faint unmarked trail that heads up a steep valley on your right. The trail is located between the 2 bridges and is occasionally marked by flagging tape. The trail winds its way up the gully and is generally easy to follow. At the top you are are between the North and South Peaks of Strachan Mountain. Clouds had been obscuring the peaks throughout our hike and although the North Peak was now clear the view from the summit was anything but. We could see fleeting glimpses of cargo ships in Vancouver Harbour but little else. At the summit we had lunch and hoped the clouds would part. But after spending 20 minutes on top we decided to continue the hike and it heads up the South Peak of Strachan and then begins to descend to the right of the ski lift. Watch for flagging tape that marks the route. The descent becomes very steep in places and after 20 minutes we came across the wreck of a plane crash that occurred in 1963. Two people were killed and a memorial has been created near the base of the Sky Chairlift. From there we headed down the Collins ski run to the base of the mountain although there is also a hiking trail which parallels this ski run.

 

Keith walking across the top of the South summit with the North summit of Strachan disappearing in the fog

Wildflowers at the prime along the Meadows in the Sky Parkway-Revelstoke, B.C

by Keith and Heather Nicol 

The wildflowers are abundant and colourful

    The Meadows in the Sky Parkway is located just outside of Revelstoke, B.C. and is a perfect way to see the alpine environment on Mt Revelstoke. We were driving through Revelstoke on Wednesday, August 3 and decided to check out the local tourism office for advice on what to see and do locally. We were told about Meadows in the Sky Parkway and it seemed like the perfect way to see the alpine wildflowers that we were told would be in full bloom. One of the tourism agents said “Take this hiking trails map since it shows you the trail options at the top of the road”. The road is about 24 km long and it took us about 30 minutes to wind our way from 400 meters to 1835 meters in elevation at the top parking lot. There aren’t many paved roads that go this high in B.C. so this makes it easy for people of all ages to enjoy this type of sub alpine environment. 

Heather walking along the Heather Lake trail

Wildflowers along the First Footsteps Trail

   From the top we opted to do several short hikes including the Summit trail, Heather Lake trail, First  Footsteps Trail and we also checked out the North Parapet and Firetower Lookout. The wildflowers were abundant and included the bright red Indian Paintbrush, the yellow Mountain Arnica, purple Arctic Lupine and Subalpine Daisy as well many others. The trails we were on were well marked and easy walking for all ages. There were also some longer trails and if we had more time they would have been fun to hike. The Eva Lake trail (6 km 1 way) looked like an ideal trail with its rolling subalpine terrain and classic mountain views. Another bonus is that if you want to get a lift up the final 1 km of the road you can take a free shuttle bus which travels frequently between the parking lot and the upper trails. This is a gem of an area and the parkway makes hiking in the alpine an easy option. For more information see: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/revelstoke/index.aspx

One of the viewpoints along the First Footsteps Trail

Check out the amazing views from the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

 by Keith and Heather Nicol  

Boo was keeping cool in the shade while we were there

     On Tuesday,  August 2 we were lucky to be arriving in Golden, B.C. by mid afternoon which allowed us enough time to get a feeling on what Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has to offer in the summer. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is conveniently located just 14 km from Golden and is a popular alpine ski area in the winter. But what does it offer in the “off season”? Actually quite abit as it turns out...everything from mountain biking to hiking to viewing Boo, the grizzly bear. And new for this summer are 2 via ferrata routes which allow the average person to safely climb up steep rocky pitches. Since we only had a couple of hours we first opted to check out Boo, whose enclosure is accessed by a short chairlift ride. Unfortunately when we arrived Boo had decided it was too hot and so was laying down in the shade of some tall trees 100-150 meters beyond the fencing. Boo was orphaned over 10 years ago and has been in captivity ever since. However this is not a zoo, Boo`s enclosure is 20 acres in size and in fact he can forage for some of his food from his fenced in homestead. There is also an interpreter at the enclosure who provides information about grizzly bears in general and Boo in particular. Boo goes into “hibernation”  on site and needs to pack on 300 or so pounds through the summer to be able to last through his 100-150 day winter dormancy period. 

Heather checking out the view from the top

   After viewing Boo we headed back down the chairlift and headed for the gondola where we were   

There are lots of hiking trails to explore

whisked to the top of the mountain in 15 minutes. We were awe struck by the great views and had time to do the 30 minute CPR Ridge Walk. There are several other longer hikes off the top and next time we visit we want to try one of those. The Terminator Ridge Walk looks especially scenic. We also saw mountain bikers whizzing off the top who had an amazing 1000 meter plus descent ahead of them. The summit is also the staging ground for the 2 new via ferrata routes which are on our “to do” list for our next visit. Also on top is the Eagle’s Eye restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat. So much to do, so little time. We will have to return to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort to try some of these other activities on another visit. For more information see: http://kickinghorseresort.com/  

The viewing area near the Eagle's Eye is suited to all ages

See Wanuskewin Heritage Park for its celebration of First Nations Life

by Keith and Heather Nicol

      While in Saskatoon we recently visited the Wanuskewin Heritage Park. This Heritage Park celebrates various aspects of the Native peoples who lived in this area for 6000-8000years.  This area has had a rich history of settlement for its buffalo jumps and other food sources. The centre is located just outside Saskatoon and the main building has an interesting pointed roofline which embodies the symbol of several teepees. Inside the building are various plaques and displays which highlight the importance of the buffalo to the Indians as well as samples of their clothing and other artifacts. We also really recommend that visitors time their visit for the 2:00 pm dance demonstration. We thoroughly enjoyed watching Jordan Thunderchild do his interpretation of a Grass dance. 

Heather walking toward the entrance of the Wanuskewin Heritage Park

   He explained that his clothing was fringed to represent the undulating grass of the prairies and that traditionally when his people would move to a new area it was the Grass dancers that would find and bless the new hunting grounds. Jordan mentioned he has been dancing at Powwows since he was 7 and he is now teaching his young boys how to dance. He did 2 dances and then had all of the audience join him in doing a round dance. We were also told that many different dancers perform at Wanuskewin Heritage Park so if you visit on a different day you may well see someone else performing.

Jordan Thunderchild performing a grass dance

  We also did a short walk on the Circle of Harmony trail to the see the Sunburn tipi rings and a buffalo jump. At the Opimihaw Buffalo Jump there is an interpretative sign and a bench so that you can enjoy the view of the South Saskatchewan River and the adjacent Opimihaw Creek Valley. There are a total of about 6 km of trail but unfortunately many of the low lining trails were quite “buggy” when we were there so bring mosquito repellant if you want to walk these trails at the present time (late July 2016). The Wanuskewin Heritage Park also offers other interpretative programmes like teepee sleep overs, guided trail walks, plant identification and many others which we would like to do on an another visit. For more information see:  https://wanuskewin.com/

A buffalo jump overlooking the South Saskatchewan River