Gus Johnson Trail

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On a cool day at the end of September, we hiked around Lac le Jeune.    We started at the campground beach and hiked clockwise along the shoreline trail, along the Lac le Jeune East Road to the Rossmoore Forest Service Road, then we turned onto the signed Around the Lake Trail, which then becomes the Gus Johnson Trail.  Gus was a local resident who helped to clear the trail and maintain it in winter.    The route is mostly a double track around the east and south side of the lake.    We went off on a single track side loop trail to the lakeshore and then up to a residential area, following Lookout Road to Lac le Jeune Road.    We walked north past the lodge, and then finished the loop by going along Water Street to the boat launch of the campground and back to the start.    The route was about 12 km, taking about 3 hours.    

At this time of the year there was some fall color to enjoy.     We spotted lots of scats, but saw only squirrels, birds, but also a small stoat.     Most of the hike was through quiet forest, with a good hiking surface.    The Gus Johnson Trail is worth a day of hiking every year.

Shared here are photos from the hike.

Captions for each photo can be seen by clicking on any photo.

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Abbott Ridge

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The best hikes in Glacier National Park start in Rogers Pass, with the trailheads at Illecillewaet Campground providing access to a number of outstanding hiking trails.     One of those trails goes up Abbott Ridge to an alpine meadow and then to a rocky ridge with 360° views.    The trail is a good one, climbing through the forest on switchbacks for 3 km to Marion Lake.   A little farther along the trail is a junction with choices for a shorter and steeper route or a longer and not as steep route.    We usually go up the steeper way and may take the longer route back.    The trail emerges into the subalpine zone and the views are abundant, … Continue reading →

Paddle Battle

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We can launch a boat for kayaking in Kamloops Lake at Tobiano and Savona, but we can also hand launch a kayak or canoe at the end of the road to Cooney Bay.    From the parking lot to the muddy shoreline of the river is only about 150 m, but we have to get past high water logs that partly block the trail.    Hauling a 16 foot kayak and gear solo down to the river (and back) is not easy, but it can be done.   The launch is on a muddy bank and much of the river there is shallow with large muddy sandbars.    To get to Cooney Bay, the route/course requires finding the middle channel around … Continue reading →

Kayaking Eagle River

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On a summer day we drove east on the Trans Canada Highway through to Sicamous where we left one vehicle.    Three of us then went up the highway to Malakwa.   The launch spot was next to the Malakwa Suspension Bridge (originally built in 1915).    We paddled downstream to Shuswap Lake, a paddle of 33 kms, then paddled around to Sicamous (another 2.5 km).  The river meanders for most of the way downstream, doubling the linear distance.    We encountered a number of hazards in the first part of the journey.    It was a route for experienced paddlers only.   The second half of the route had slower water, but that also meant slower progress downriver.    All seemed … Continue reading →

Bluenose Mountain

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In the first week of September the target for a new route to hike was Bluenose Mountain.     It is located to the east of Vernon by backroads near Lavington.    The trailhead is up the Bluenose Road and there is a signed parking lot and trailhead.    A good trail switchbacks up the first steep rocky hill, then traversed over to climb a second hill.    A separate trail can be hiked through the forest back to the start for a 5.5 – 6 km loop route.    The first climb was steep, but manageable with switchbacks.     A side trail climbs on top of the hill.    Open views to the south, west, and northwest from rocky ledges … Continue reading →

Joss Mountain

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Joss Mountain is in the Monashee Mountains,  accessed by backroads from Highway One near Eagle Pass.    Drive on Highway 1 then turn onto the Three Valley – Mabel FSR and then onto a mountain road, 16 km of high clearance to 4WD access to the West Approach.   A post marks the trailhead .   This is a steep trail, but mostly easy to follow.    It goes through a subalpine zone, before emerging into the rocky alpine traverse to the top of the mountain.    There is no trail in the open area, but hikers should take the easiest route to the highest point.    There is a Dominion Forest Lookout built in 1921 on top of a cliff at … Continue reading →

Wilcox Pass Hike

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Wilcox Pass is a trail which starts near the Athabasca Icefield area on the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff.   The trailhead is a the campground 2.4 km southeast.      The trail climbs through a subalpine zone up to alpine meadows (at 2337 m or 7667 ft).   It continues through an open pass between Mount Wilcox and Nigel Peak.    As we climbed we had superb views of Mt. Athabasca (3491 m or 11 453 ft.) and Snow Dome (3520m or 11 550 ft.).     Mt. Athabasca is an all-day climb up the glaciers which we did some years ago.    Snow Dome is the hydrological apex of North America with drainage going to three different oceans.     I … Continue reading →

Eagle’s View above Clearwater Lake

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On a warm summer day in a part of the province that was not wrapped in smoke, I drove north through Wells Gray Park to the the end of the road.      At the boat launch I got into my kayak, then I paddled up the lake, heading north for 6 km.    The plan was to land at the beach of a marine campsite, then hike a signed trail up to a viewpoint overlooking the lake.   I had done this exact route a few years ago, but Clearwater Lake is my favorite lake, so it was a repeat, but one I was pleased to do again.    The lake was calm as I kayaked to Divers Bluff Marine … Continue reading →

Hermit Trail

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The Hermit Trail is one of the steepest trails in Glacier National Park, but it is only 3.2 km to the small backcountry campsite by a glacial meltwater stream.   We have hiked (and run) this trail a few times.    We have also gone up higher onto the shoulder of The Hermit (an outlier of Mt. Tupper), and to the snowfields between Tupper and Hermit Mountain, but these are off-trail steep explorations, best suited to experienced mountaineers.    We also visited the historic Hermit Hut off a side trail.    This was used by mountaineers, but has been removed.     The trailhead is located to the east of the Rogers Pass Visitors Center.     There is good parking and signage.  … Continue reading →

Guanaco Peak

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Guanaco Peak is one of the Coquihalla Summit Peaks, located at the headwaters rim of the Coldwater River.    It is easily spotted from the top of Zupjok, Yak, Zoa, and other peaks in the area, but it is hard to get to.   Access is by the Upper Coldwater River FSR which goes west from the Coquihalla Highway near the Coquihalla Lakes.    The road up the valley is in good condition for 7.5 km.     There is a small campground there (Zum Peak Campground) and from there a 1.4 km trail goes in to Little Douglas Lake where there is a backcountry campsite.   The rest of the Upper Coldwater Road is 7 km long and it is grown over.  … Continue reading →