July 31, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Nakusp, Hiking
Find more information about Nakusp - Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
What a view!
Located just South-West of
Nakusp, Saddle Mountain Lookout is a old Forest Fire lookout post that is now used as a hiking destination.
The hike is a steady incline the whole way so plan on getting a workout. The trail is mostly dirt with the exception of the top section which is a very narrow trail on unstable shale.
Be prepared for an all day hike. There was people there that took around 3 1/2 hours just to get up to the top. If you are cardio-fit you can do the round trip with a 45 minute rest up top in 4 1/2 hours.
download a printable trail map
here. Look for the link to "Saddle Mountain Lookout Trail"
photo: Amy Wight
In this photo you can see Nakusp in the far background down by the lake.
July 29, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Biking
Find more information about Whistler - Biking
View a larger image on flickr.com
The Crankworx 2007 mountain bike festival is on in Whistler. I've heard much about it so I decided to check it out for myself today.
We watched incredible athletes compete in the slopeside competition where they do insane jumps while going down the 'boneyard' terrain park. At the end of the course, after performing back flips, tail whips and other crazy stunts, they jump off the jumbotron, probably a 30 foot jump.
I was lucky to take this picture of winner Ben Boyko in mid air while jumped off the jumbotron and did a full 360 before landing. Ben is hovering above the giant screen where his image is displayed.
The terrain park is entertaining to watch all summer. You might not see 30 feet jumps, but you'll still be amazed.
ElChango89 posted a
great video on YouTube.
July 24, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Hiking
Find more information about Whistler - Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
The start of the Garibaldi Lake Trail is located 37 km north of Squamish (19 km south of Whistler) off the Sea to Sky Highway. From the parking lot it's a 9 km hike that has an elevation gain of 810 meters along a well groomed trail that meanders through the forest and across a couple of rivers until you get the one of the best vistas in BC.
Our group of six took 3 hours to hike from the trail head to the lake and 2.5 hours to return. This, plus a few hours at the lake makes for a hike that lasts the entire day so be sure to get an early start and bring lots of water and a enough food to keep your fuelled up.
In view of the length of time required and the high elevation of the park, it's best to hike this trail in the summer when the days are long and the snow is gone.
Finally, don't forget to bring a few bucks for parking. In the summer of '07 it was a reasonable $3 as all proceeds go to trail maintenance.
July 23, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Hiking
View a larger image on flickr.com
The Spirit Lake Walk is an amazing guided walk with Linda Tollas through the old growth forest in Skidegate. While on the walk, Linda talks to the interested crowd about how the plants on Haida Gwaii were traditionally used. The guided walk starts at the head of the Spirit Lake Trail every Wednesday at 1:30pm.
http://www.qcinfo.ca/events/index.php
July 20, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Surrey, Dining
Find more information about Surrey - Dining
When I first heard about Wings, I asked a couple friends to join me in testing out their food and service one night. We choose to try their infamous chicken wings, so we decided that Sunday night would be perfect because it was one of their “half-price” 39 cent wing nights. Each of us chose a different flavour and taste-tested each other’s just to make sure they were cooked to perfection. After an hour of good food, good drinks, good service, and the perfect atmosphere, the meal was over and our tummies were full so it was time to leave. However, we all agreed that the wings were amazing and vowed to go back again. One of my friends even suggested going on Pasta Night to broaden our culinary experiences. I would definitely recommend going to this restaurant, but get there early on Wednesdays and Sundays, because half-priced wing nights seem to be on everyone’s minds!
July 17, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Sechelt, Kayaking & Canoeing
Find more information about Sechelt - Kayaking & Canoeing
View a larger image on flickr.com
Wow,
Has anyone been on the First Nation's Interpretive Tour with Talaysay Tours in Sechelt? Unbelievable! This is a kayak trip up the Sechelt Inlet to some of the First Nation's traditional sites and include rock paintings known to be over 100 years old. The guides were very knowledgeable about the local First Nations community located in Sechelt I think most of them either grew up there or came from other bands nearby. I found this tour to be highly informative about the First Nations community and totally enjoyable. The surrounding were excellent as well. Can anyone else share their experience with this company? You can find out more about Talaysay Tours at: www.talaysaytours.com if you are looking for something different.
July 17, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Clearwater, Accommodation
This place looks exactly like their website and as the Hello BC website shows. What can't be seen is how incredibly clean the units and grounds are and, how peacefully quiet it is there.
The unit that we stayed in is called a family room. It was spacious and was so clean that I almost couldn't believe it. And I have stayed in some very expensive hotels!
I would highly recommend this resort to anyone who is looking for a clean and quiet place to stay.
July 16, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Historic & Heritage Sites
The Haida dancers will be preforming at the Queen Charlotte Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday July 25th and Tuesday July 31st. These dancers are a group unique to Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlotte Islands. The Preformance includes Haida drumming, Traditional Haida dance, And songs sung in the Haida language. The Preformance will be held on the deck of the Visitor's Centre overlooking the water.
July 15, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Historic & Heritage Sites
Skidegate days is next weekend the 19th, 20th, and 21st. It starts on Thursday with food and games in the Skidegate Community Hall. On Friday the celebrations will continue with an outdoor volleyball tounament and a teen dance. On Saturday, the day starts with a pancake breakfast followed by golf chipping, fish splitting, and canoe races. Later that evening there is an adult dance at the george brown recreation centre!
July 15, 2007 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Museums
Check out the new Haida Heritage Centre in Skidegate on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Hours are Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm and Sat/Sun 10am - 5pm.