The hike to the Big Cedar and Kennedy Falls in North Vancouver is one of my favourite local hikes. Since it’s at a fairly low elevation, it’s a great hike almost all year since it doesn’t get much snow. And it’s entirely in the trees, making it a great hike for a rainy or cloudy …
Canada
If you think of National Parks in Canada, you probably think of the famous National Parks in Canada’s Rocky Mountains near Banff. And yes, the mountain parks are spectacular. But… Canada is a REALLY big country with a REALLY varied landscape. And we have dozens of National Parks spread all the way from sea to …
The entire time I was in Revelstoke I kept thinking: “This place would be waaaay busier if it was closer to a big city…BUT it’s so awesome that it’s not.” Revelstoke, British Columbia is a small town in between big mountain ranges. It’s got all kinds of outdoor adventures, a vibrant downtown with lots to …
Organizing transportation to the West Coast Trail can be one of the most complicated parts of the hike. There are a few different options for getting to the start and getting back from the finish, and it can be hard to figure out which one makes the most sense for you. I have also talked …
The West Coast Trail is a wilderness experience: each night you’ll pitch your tent on a remote beach and listen to the waves crash as you fall asleep. I’ve hiked the West Coast Trail twice and visited all of the campgrounds. And I can tell you… some of them are definitely nicer than others. (And …
Packing for the West Coast Trail can be a little bit confusing. Your pack needs to be light, but it also needs to contain everything you need, including lots of food and waterproof gear. The first time I hiked the West Coast Trail in 2004 I was really inexperienced and used mostly borrowed gear. My …
Due to the way the campgrounds are spaced out, and the placement of the difficult trail sections, most people use a 6 or 7 day West Coast Trail itinerary. When I first hiked the trail in 2004, we just winged it. But when I was planning my 2019 trip I worked out tons of options. …
The West Coast Trail is a 75km multi-day backpacking trip along the West Coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Along the way, you’ll hike through the rainforest on rough trail, boardwalks and mud bogs, walk along sandy beaches, boulders, and slippery coastal shelf, cross rivers on high bridges and cable cars, and climb in …
Getting to visit Lake O’Hara in Canada’s Yoho National Park is likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. (Mostly because reservations are SO hard to get!) And you definitely want to make sure you have the right gear on your once-in-a-lifetime trip so you can stay warm, dry and happy. I’ve been to Lake O’Hara twice: On one …
If you hike in Vancouver, chances are you’ve done the Grouse Grind or at least heard of it. It’s a super steep hike up to the top of Grouse Mountain. It’s considered a bit of a local bucket list hike or a fitness challenge. And it’s so popular that hikers are now tackling a bunch …