backpacking

  • Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)

    Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)

    Joffre Lakes near Whistler, BC is a spectacular spot: three gorgeous turquoise lakes surrounded by glacier-capped mountains. I first hiked to Joffre Lakes in 2004 and have returned every few years since then. I think I’ve hiked here 9 or 10 times and I never get tired of it. If…

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  • Semaphore Lakes Hike in Pemberton, BC

    Semaphore Lakes Hike in Pemberton, BC

    Semaphore Lakes near Pemberton is a special place. It’s a short and easy hike to three gorgeous alpine lakes with incredible glacier views. And the logging road to get there is 2WD accessible (most of the time). I first hiked to Semaphore Lakes back in 2014. (In fact, an earlier…

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  • Elfin Lakes Hike in Squamish (By a Local)

    Elfin Lakes Hike in Squamish (By a Local)

    These days, Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park is the closest backcountry camping to my house in Squamish – it’s literally just up the street. But I’ve been going to Elfin Lakes for two decades – it was my first winter backpacking trip back in 2003! I’ve hiked the Elfin…

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  • 25 Spring and Fall Backpacking Trips in British Columbia

    25 Spring and Fall Backpacking Trips in British Columbia

    After a long winter, I’m usually in a rush for summer to start so I can go backpacking. But it can be frustrating since most trails are snow-covered well into June and July. However, if you know where to look, there are lots of places to go on spring backpacking…

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  • 2026 Mount Assiniboine Hiking Guide

    2026 Mount Assiniboine Hiking Guide

    Note: I’ve updated my Mount Assiniboine hiking guide to include updated info for 2026. With its prominent Matterhorn shape, Mount Assiniboine is one of the most photographed peaks in the Canadian Rockies. And that makes hiking to Mount Assiniboine one of the most spectacular backpacking trips near Banff. I had…

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  • Hike the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park

    Hike the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park

    Note: The devastating 2024 fires in Jasper National Park burned a small section of the northern portion of the Skyline Trail. However, the trail has fully re-opened and is safe to hike. The Skyline Trail is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Jasper National Park. And it’s easy…

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  • 2024 Washington Backpacking Reservation Dates

    2024 Washington Backpacking Reservation Dates

    If you’re like me, the first part of each year is all about planning where I’ll go backpacking in the summer. One of my favourite places to go backpacking is Washington state. And many of the most spectacular backpacking trips in Washington require reservations. So I’ve put together a complete…

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  • Rockwall Trail Guide: Everything You Need to Know

    Rockwall Trail Guide: Everything You Need to Know

    The Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park has been on my list for a LONG time. I had seen photos online of a trail stretching for kilometres beside towering cliffs and I knew I had to hike it. This August, I spent 5 days on the Rockwall Trail and it…

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  • 40+ Tips for Hiking in the Rain

    40+ Tips for Hiking in the Rain

    I live in Squamish, BC on Canada’s wet, I mean West Coast and it rains a lot here. If I waited for it to stop raining, I probably would never get outside. Hiking in the rain can be really beautiful if you know how to stay safe, keep dry, and…

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  • 11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies

    11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies

    Every year I make a trip to the Canadian Rockies to go backpacking. I love the glacier views, turquoise lakes, and alpine meadows. Here’s my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies. I’ve done most of the trips on this list and the rest are at the…

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