January 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Golden, Outdoor Activity Tours
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I spent a day rafting in Golden British Columbia on the Kicking Horse River with my family: husband and two kids. We went with a company called Alpine Rafting. They provided all the rafting equipment. Even though we were doing one of the tamer sections of the River, we still needed to don all river attire. We had a blast and lunch was included. The price was excellent for the four of us. We floated and splashed through the Upper Canyon of the Kicking Horse River.
The Trip we did was called the Family Whitewater
I would definetly recommend Kicking Horse River Rafting to anyone that is passing through Golden. British Columbia.
January 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Ladysmith, Accommodation
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I was invited to use up a cancellation spot with friends to stay at Yellow Point Lodge on Vancouver Island during the Christmas Holidays. While I was not sure, I grabbed the opportunity and was overwhelmed with the stay. The snow mixed with the communial meals and the unforgettable stories make this retreat something special! One gentleman I met had been going there for 30 years and another couple were on their first date! You do need to book a year in advance but once you have your time booked you can book again and again and I promise you will! When you park your car and walk up the small hill to the lodge the setting is spectacular on the ocean.
For those who enjoy telephones, t.v, the internet and cell phones need not apply:)
January 16, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Sechelt, Kayaking & Canoeing
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What a great find! I couldn't figure out why the place wasn't very crowded..
We took a shortie 4 day holiday at West Coast Wilderness Lodge. We were lucky, the weather was absolutely spectacular. We took a guided kayak trip one day, a guided canoe trip another day, we hiked to Skookumchuck rapids the 3rd day, and visited the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve the final day.
The owner himself took our family on the canoe trip and he knew the place inside-out. The kayak tour was THE highlight of the vacation for me: the water was calm, the weather just perfect. We saw hundreds of seals on islands and swimming in the water with us, orange and purple starfish, many, many types of birds, including bald eagles. The kids loved it almost as much as I did.
Accommodations were very good: we got a big suite with a comfy queen bed for parents and a foldout sofabed for kids. The balcony overlooked the water and mountains. it looked like the room an bathroom had been very recently renovated - bathroom looked brand-new. We spent a bit of time with our binoculars watching seals from our balcony and from the huge scenic balcony just outside the main building. Nothing like sitting out there after a busy day, catching up on some reading, enjoying the fresh air and great views. For the finicky, there was no TV, but if you need a TV in a place like this, you've got a problem!
We had breakfast everyday at the lodge - it was a great start for every day. We only ate dinner at the lodge one night and had a great meal.. Kids also enjoyed archery, the pool table in the evenings and of course the hot tub. The only thing missing was a good beach for swimming - Ruby Lake and other swimming beaches were a short drive away, but not within walking distance.
January 14, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Clinton, Hiking
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"Wild Horse Ridge" and "Mt. Kerr" offer a fantastic day hike (longer) or overnight hight in the Marble Range near Clinton. Emily and I, plus the dogs, had a wicked workout making our way to the alpine ridges through beautiful wooded valleys, full of tons of wildflowers. Once on the alpine, the peaks are mostly gentle offering some of the best ridge hiking in the Cariboo. It was 23 kms return to the summit of Mt. Kerr (2278 m). A long day but well worth it. The area has very little surface water so remember to pack enough yourself.
To gain access to the trailheads, head west at the south end of Clinton on the Kelly Lake Road. After 17km turn right on the Jesmond Road. Stop after 23km on the Jesmond Road at the Circle H Ranch (currently a caretaker is in residence – park and ask for permission to cross the property). Cross through the property exiting through a fence at the rear where you will find a sign for the “Pipeline Trail”. Continue up the clearing heading right on a trail leading to a road continuing along the power line. A short walk up this road takes you to the trail/road heading up the valley. At 4.2 km you will reach a junction with the left trail heading to Mt. Bowman. The right trail continues up the creek valley to Wild Horse Ridge and Mt. Kerr.
If you're in the Cariboo and Clinton area, check out the Marble Range !!!
January 14, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Clinton, Hiking
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The Marble Range, near Clinton, is a fantastic area for "day" and "overnight" hikes. We took my parents up Mt. Bowman (2246m, 14 kms return) in July. Beautiful wooded valleys, grassy valley bottoms with tons of wildflowers, rolling alpine, folded limestone ridges and castellated peaks. The trail up Mt. Bowman has a couple steep sections offering some excellent scrambling. You can access "Wild Horse Ridge" and "Mt. Kerr" (2278m, 23 kms return) from the same trail, where you'll find some of the best ridge hiking in the Cariboo.
There's not much for surface water, so remember to pack your own.
To gain access to the trailheads, head west at the south end of Clinton on the Kelly Lake Road. After 17km turn right on the Jesmond Road. Stop after 23km on the Jesmond Road at the Circle H Ranch (currently a caretaker is in residence – park and ask for permission to cross the property). Cross through the property exiting through a fence at the rear where you will find a sign for the “Pipeline Trail”. Continue up the clearing heading right on a trail leading to a road continuing along the power line. A short walk up this road takes you to the trail/road heading up the valley. At 4.2 km you will reach a junction with the left trail heading to Mt. Bowman. The right trail continues up the creek valley to Wild Horse Ridge and Mt. Kerr.
Absolutely beautiful - highly recommend this hike !!
January 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Hiking
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Williams Lake is surrounded by mountains/hills with fantastic trails for mountain biking, hiking, running, etc. This is a fun video of a Friday after-work "Destressing" trail run on Fox Mountain with my two Aussie Shepherds, "Molly" and "Chase". Beautiful trails with great views over the City. Check it out !!
January 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Biking
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A wicked workout on one of Williams Lake's most popular mountain bike trails. Pushing the pedals hard
up the "Jimmy Fox Uphill Grind", working up a good "lather" up this popular mountain bike trail in "The Puddle". Jimmy Fox leads to great flowing downhills like "Mitch's Brew" and "Aflo". Check it out !!
January 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Biking
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As a newcomer to mountain biking this past summer, I was blown away with the wicked network of trails right in the hills surrounding Williams Lake. There are trails for every level of rider - sweet flowing single track, awesome uphill grinds, crazy downhill descents, and great cross country options. This short video was done on a great treal called "Hillbilly". Check it out !!!
January 10, 2009 | Field Reports >
Kelowna, Dining
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After a long day on the slopes at the Big White Ski Resort I wanted to find a recommendation for a good place to relax and enjoy the Apres Ski scene. Some locals suggested Snowshoe Sams and they were right. The food and drink were great and the place filled up quickly. Definitely the place to be for Apres Ski!
January 10, 2009 | Field Reports >
Kelowna, Snowmobiling
This is absolutely the best way to check out the rest of the valley and the incredible views around the Big White Ski Resort. It takes about 5 minutes to learn how to ride the snowmobiles, and then you're off. Hang on tight though, its a bumpy ride!