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Canada British Columbia
This
six day adventure will take your breath away in more ways than one.
We'll enjoy some of the most stunning scenery in the world while
challenging ourselves on mountain trails. From Vancouver's Stanley Park
and English Bay, we'll move to the North Shore Mountains and then
Whistler, the spectacular ski resort with a growing reputation for
summer hiking. After picking you up in Vancouver, we'll travel to the North Shore for
some short hikes which will get us ready for the demands of Whistler.
They'll also provide panoramic views of the city, Georgia Strait and
the mountains beyond. Our canyon walking takes us past stands of giant
Douglas Fir and sparkling salmon streams. After two nights at an
historic inn near Stanley Park, we'll take the 'Sea to Sky' highway to
Whistler. This two and a half hour drive is one of the most scenic on
the West Coast.
Garibaldi Park next to Whistler features volcanic peaks, alpine meadows and remote glacier-fed lakes. The elevation gain is steady but not steep, and hikers find their stamina amply rewarded by the sweeping vistas. For many of us, the mosses and streams of the rain forests radiate the peace of nature's cathedral. Our hikes are approximately 5 to 12 miles a day with some alternatives to moderate the more difficult hikes. Sturdy hiking boots are needed for the two most challenging hikes in the Whistler area. Since bears are common in British Columbia, it's best to walk in a guided group. The trip begins and ends in Vancouver. Includes: All lodging, meals, van transportation and guides. Dates: July & August Difficulty: Moderate |
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| Day 1 | We'll meet at your hotel in Vancouver before noon and whisk you away to the North Shore and the BC Coastal Range mountains. Stunning trails take us to some breathtaking views of the city, Georgia Strait and the mountains beyond. Stay in a historic hotel on the water. |
| Day 2 | We'll do some canyon walking through the westcoast rainforests giant Red Fir and Cedar trees. Fishermen still fly fish for salmon in the streams cascading through this ancient forest. |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Whistler along the famous Sea to Sky highway. We'll stop along the way for a hike to the spectacular Shannon Falls, Canada's fourth highest falls. After checking into our inn, we'll a walk to the Cougar Mountain Ancient Cedar Grove. Dine in splendor in the Whistler village. |
| Day 4 | We'll take the chair/gondola up Whistler to an open meadows walk to Singing Pass and Russet Lake. We'll picnic along the way surrounded by mountains and Wild flowers. |
| Day 5 | At Garibaldi Trail Head we'll walk to a campground on a lake. This walk features volcanic peaks, alpine meadows and remote glacier fed lakes. |
| Day 6 | Today we'll have a choice of either the Cheakamus Trail Head or Squamish Trails. Both are moderate and beautiful but on the Brakendale Walk in Squamish you can see the protected eagles in an ecologically sensitive site. After lunch at a Native Art Gallery we'll head back to Vancouver for arrival around 4 pm. |