June 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Revelstoke, Hiking
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Just outside of Revelstoke I had the great pleasure of hiking in the "Meadows in the Sky". A scenic parkway winds its way up from Highway 1 to Balsam Lake, scaling a vertical distance of over 1000m on the way. When we visited (during the height of summer), we could already see the different flowers in bloom along the road as we drove further up the mountain.
Once at the top we visited the "Icebox" (a spot that is shaded in such a way that snow persists year-round), and then began hiking. It was quite extraordinary to see the alpine meadows explode into bloom during their short growing season.
On a clear day the views down into the valley are spectacular, and we took a moderately strenous hike to an alpine lake. Those brave enough can jump in for a dip, but most people just take the opportunity to breathe the clear mountain air, relax for a moment, and take in the spectacular surroundings. The beauty of the Meadows in the Sky is fleeting, so if you find yourself in the Revelstoke area in July or August, I highly recommend taking a hike in this alpine flower garden.
Photo copyright: Parks Canada