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 …
Trails
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 …
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 trips in British Columbia. While …
This list of the most Instagrammed hikes in Vancouver was first published in February 2017. I update the numbers each year. I’ve run the numbers fresh for 2024… (drumroll please)… and this year the hikes on the list haven’t changed – but their order has a bit. (You’ll still have to read the whole post …
Note: I’ve updated my Mount Assiniboine hiking guide to include updated info for 2024 including the new requirement for reservations at Porcupine Campground. 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 …
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 …
The Skyline Trail is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Jasper National Park. And it’s easy to see why – it’s 44 km of spectacular mountain scenery including 25 km above the treeline. I hiked the trail over 3 days in late August and was amazed by its beauty. I’m a hiking guidebook …
Squamish is one of the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures. So it’s no surprise that the outdoorsy fun continues in the winter… in the form of snowshoeing. The terrain around Squamish is pretty rugged, but there are still a few great places go snowshoeing in Squamish. In this guide to snowshoeing in …
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 was insanely beautiful – easily …
British Columbia has hundreds of options for gorgeous backpacking trips. Most are free or require a permit, but for a few special trips, you need to make reservations in advance. If you’re planning ahead of time, these are the BC backpacking reservation dates you need to know for 2024. The most spectacular trips are often …