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 Lakes Trail more times than …
Hiking
The High Note Trail is the most spectacular hike in Whistler, but it’s also the most expensive. Here’s everything you need to know about hiking the High Note Trail so you can decide if it’s worth the price. I live in nearby Squamish, so I’ve hiked the High Note tons of times. Honestly, I like …
I’ve hiked a lot of trails in the Canadian Rockies, and Lake O’Hara has by far the best scenery: brilliant blue lakes, towering peaks, and icy glaciers. And if you are going to visit Lake O’Hara, you have to hike the Alpine Circuit. The Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit is an 11-kilometre-long loop hike that circles …
Note: I’ve updated this post with the latest 2025 information for Lake O’Hara including info about the random-draw day-use bus lottery. A few years ago, I FINALLY made it to Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park. It’s such a gorgeous area that I actually struggle to describe it. Of course, there’s a brilliant blue-green alpine …
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 have fun. I’ve got tons …
When I was researching my trip to Haida Gwaii, I kept coming across photos of a beautifully weathered shipwreck rising out of a sandy beach. I knew I had to visit it! On my trip, I hiked the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail and can confirm it’s really cool in person. To save you from doing a …
Tow Hill is one of the best hikes in Haida Gwaii. The short trail is located in the northern part of the archipelago in Naikoon Provincial Park. Known as Taaw Tldáaw in Haida, Tow Hill is next to the Blow Hole, another gorgeous natural feature. I couldn’t find that much reliable info about it before …
While the Canadian Rockies are a year-round destination, most visitors arrive in the summer for the best hiking and warm weather. However, visiting Banff in the fall offers a unique experience. The crowds thin out, making it a perfect time for exploration. Vibrant foliage transforms the landscape into a painter’s palette of reds, yellows, and …
Have you ever dreamt of standing at the bottom of the Grand Canyon? Or seeing the mighty Colorado River up close? While most visitors to this National Park only see the Grand Canyon from its rims, the truly adventurous can experience it from a completely different perspective by taking on the challenging and breathtaking Bright Angel …
Every few summers, I get stung by bees or wasps while hiking. Usually, it’s because I stumble across an underground nest I didn’t know was there. Stinging insects are a fact of life while hiking. But there are some ways to avoid them. After hearing reports of tons of wasp nests on my local trails …