Category Archives: Other

Pender Hill

 

Pender Hill is on the Sunshine Coast of BC. The trail is maintained by the Sunshine Coast Regional District. This hike is fairly short compared to many in this blog, but, you still get fantastic views and it is well worth it. If you want more of a workout for your day, combine this hike and Mt. Daniel together.  The Mt. Daniel trailhead is only 6km from the Pender Hill trailhead.

To get to Pender Hill from Vancouver, you need to take the 1-hour BC Ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Langdale. From Langdale, there is a 73 km trip to the trailhead on Coastview Drive.

The stats:

Distance: 2 km (linear return)
Time: 1-2 hours
Low point: 57 m
High point: 235 m
Elevation gain: 178 m
Trailhead: 49° 38’ 32.8” by 124° 03’ 42” (Google Map)

The route…

The Photos…

View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
View from Pender Hill
Bench at top
Bench at top
Dead Tree
Dead Tree
Little bridge
Little bridge
Broken rock
Broken rock
Trail
Trail
Trail
Trail
Trailhead sign
Trailhead sign

If you have time, stop in Gibsons; it’s a quant little town and stop by Molly’s Reach (of Beachcombers’ fame) for fish and chips !

Gibsons Harbour
Gibsons Harbour
Gibsons Wharf
Gibsons Wharf
Molly's Reach, Gibsons
Molly’s Reach, Gibsons

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★

Mt. Daniel

 

Mt. Daniel is on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. After the 400m elevation gain hike to the summit, you are treated with stunning views of Pender Harbour and the surrounding hills and mountains. The hike traverses though a forest canopy all of way to the top, so it’s great on a hot day.

After this hike, I highly suggest you do another nearby hike, at Pender Hill. The Pender Hill trailhead is only 6km from Mt. Daniel trailhead.

To get to Mt. Daniel from Vancouver, you need to take the 1-hour BC Ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Langdale. From Langdale, there is a 67 km trip to the trailhead on Garden Bay Road.

The stats:

Distance: 4.8 km (linear return)
Time: 2-4 hours
Low point: 77 m
High point: 435 m
Elevation gain: 358 m
Trailhead: 49° 38’ 51.6” by 124° 00’ 15.7” (Google Map)

The route…

The Photos…

View from Mt. Daniel
View from Mt. Daniel
Arbutus Tree
Arbutus Tree
Arbutus Tree Bark
Arbutus Tree Bark
Arbutus Tree Berries
Arbutus Tree Berries
Ferns
Ferns
Trail
Trail
Trail
Trail
Logging relic
Logging relic
Visitor
Visitor
Sign at trailhead
Sign at trailhead

If you have time, stop in Gibsons; it’s a quant little town and stop by Molly’s Reach (of Beachcombers’ fame) for fish and chips !

Gibsons Harbour
Gibsons Harbour
Gibsons Wharf
Gibsons Wharf
Molly's Reach, Gibsons
Molly’s Reach, Gibsons

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.

To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★

Williams Lake River Valley Trail

 

I was recently in Williams Lake for business and I had lots of spare time. I researched this hiking trail before I went – and I was lucky with the weather on the day I was in Williams Lake. There are many sections of the trail, but I started just off Frizzi Road, a short drive from the town center. The hike follows the meandering Williams Lake River on a well established gravel path. During the hike, you will pass a marsh, forests, 14 bridges and towering 150 m cliffs. The trail ends at the confluence of the Williams Lake River and the Fraser River. The gentle sloping trail is very easy.

The stats:

Distance: 10 km (return)
Time: 3.5 hours
Low point: 400 m
High point: 515 m
Elevation gain: 115 m
Trailhead: 52° 9’ 41” by  122° 13’ 5” (Google Map)

The route…

The photos…

Williams Lake River
Williams Lake River
Confluence of the Williams Lake River and Fraser River
Confluence of the Williams Lake River and Fraser River



River along base of cliff
River along base of cliff
River along base of cliff
River along base of cliff
The Marsh
The Marsh



Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic



Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic
Trail pic



U-bend in River
U-bend in River
Williams Lake River
Williams Lake River
Williams Lake River
Williams Lake River
Williams Lake River and Cliff
Williams Lake River and Cliff

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.
To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★

Mount Galiano

 

The Gulf Islands of British Columbia are a magical place and I’m so glad I got to visit Galiano Island. This hike is quite easy in terms of elevation gain and the payoff scenery is well worth it !

Distance: 6.8 km (return)
Low point: 61 m
High point: 301 m
Elevation gain: 240 m
Trailhead: 48° 52’ 29” by  123° 20’ 59” (Google Map)

Here’s the route…

Here’s the view from the top…

View from the top

Here’s a view from a BC Ferry…

Mount Galiano (Medium)

On the way up I saw an old plane that had crashed on the island…

Wreckage from Plane Crash

Bolts from airplane wreckage

I saw this cool Conglomerate Rock…

Conglomerate Rock on Mount Galiano

A view of the forest from the trail…

Mount Galiano

I saw a BC Ferry from the top…

Queen of Vancouver

When I came down from Mount Galiano, I explored the coastline and it is very interesting.
You can check out more photos HERE

★★★★★★★★★★★

Before heading out on your hike, make sure you are well prepared. This means, having the TEN ESSENTIALS. It is also important to leave a trip plan (route details and estimated return time) with someone you trust.

Bring your smartphone, fully charged and put it in airplane mode while hiking. I always bring back-up battery packs for extra piece of mind. It is highly recommended that you bring a GPS device; I use my smartphone with a GPS app (Backcountry Navigator). The GPS will work in airplane mode. Learn how to use it before your hike.

For anyone new to hiking, there is a rule to which hikers follow; it is called “Leave No Trace” or LNT. The concept is generally to pack out what you pack in and respect nature, so all future visitors can enjoy what you have enjoyed.
To learn more about LNT, please check out this BLOG by a certified LNT Trainer.

★★★★★★★★★★★