14 Hikes in 14 Days | In Our Back Yard
Happy Trails Everyone!
Have you enjoyed the outdoors this autumn? It has certainly been a busy and fun fall hiking season for myself, some friends, and my family! I LOVE the fall, it reminds me of hunting season and it makes me think of my family. I grew up in the Yukon with an avid hunting father and hunting mother! My teen years were spent in the Hart area of Prince George and anyone that knows the Hart (or the North for that matter), knows that there is a special vibe in the air during fall….hunting season. Driving around town, the excitement is in the air! Lots of trucks have either a moose or a deer or better yet, an Elk in the box. Well, living in the Shuswap doesn’t exactly have that same vibe - but it does certainly embrace the fall with the best of them. I feel the fall in my bones and long to be outside, long to be fireside, and long to have my family near. To me, now, fall is my hiking season. And a nostalgic one at that.
My Hiking Challenge
As the cooler weather came rolling in, the leaves and trees basked in all of their gorgeous glory and the sunshine was shining, I made an intention to hit the trails every single day for 7 days. The fun of it all quickly turned into a 14-day challenge with myself.
Two weeks straight of hiking every day!
I wanted to do a variety of hikes that could easily be done on my own, with my baby in a carrier and/or with a friend. I was to set off first thing in the morning after the older kids were dropped at school. This was for exercise and to start each day off in the wilderness while basking in the autumn sun and colors! The trails were to be nothing too serious or nothing too far, just a few beautiful local trails in our area that anyone could do. In total, my two-year-old and I put on approximately 75 km in 14 days of hiking!
I thought of my family in Prince George the entire time and my 10-year-old nephew who just shot his first little buck under the loving guidance of my brother, his Dad. Fall to me is full of love, memories, and longing.
Here are some of my autumn highlights…….
Balmoral Trail System | Blind Bay
The Balmoral Trail System in Blind Bay welcomes all levels of hikers and provides many small loops and larger traverse style trails (to White lake and McArthur Heights viewpoint). It also provides some great lookout points that are easy to get to, such as the Balmoral Bluffs and Blind Bay Lookout. This is a well-marked trail system, with an extensive selection of hiking routes. It is wonderful for all seasons, including snowshoeing in the wintertime!
Distance: Various
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Tsútswecw Provincial Park (Roderick Haig-Brown) | Squilax-Anglemont Highway
Tsútswecw Provincial Park is located on both sides of the Adams River, between Adams Lake and Shuswap Lake. This trail system is well marked, easily navigated, and provides light routes to wander around and enjoy the beautiful scenery amongst the forest setting. It also boasts one of the best spots to view the annual run of the Adams River Sockeye Salmon in early October which has become world-renowned. The next big run is in 2022.
Distance: Various
Kid-Friendly: Yes
South Canoe Trail System | Salmon Arm
The South Canoe Trail System is made up of a large network of trails built and used for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, running, and horseback riding. A fun feature is the Troll Trail which has a great little winding bridge, which is adorned by a collection of little trolls, all peeking out at you! The kids absolutely love this! It is a great spot in the fall to enjoy the many different types of trees. It also provides access to the Larch Hills trail system above and the Larch Hills Traverse. Make this trail system as long or short, difficult or easy as you please. It would require an extensive amount of time to explore all of the trails here!
Distance: Various
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Upper Adams River Gorge | Tsutswecw Provincial Park
The Adams River Gorge Trail is a spectacular journey that starts out on an old road, and becomes an easy trail in the canyon, and ends up at the spectacular gorge. You can continue on the trail which runs alongside the river and eventually comes to Gold Creek. Climbing the rocks and taking in the views of the white water rapids rushing and churning through the narrow gorge below is a sight to see. Below the canyon is a large pool with a sandy beach, a perfect spot for a picnic! The springtime is really wild with the mountain run-off, with the fall providing a much calmer experience.
Distance: Various
Kid-Friendly: Yes but be careful on the rocks at the gorge!
Sunnybrae Bluffs | Sunnybrae Canoe Pt Rd, Tappen
Sunnybrae Bluffs is a great hiking trail that leads along the top of Raven's Bluff, providing views of Tappen Bay, Salmon Arm, and Mount Ida. The trail is relatively easy and can be done with children, although there are a few places where the trail has a steep edge and youngsters may need assistance.
It is not well marked and has a variety of little trails twisting around. Once at the top, you can wander around the plateau taking in the views, or continue on approx. 5 minutes to the lush green mountainous meadow.
Parking for the trailhead is at the Sunnybrae community park and you have to cross the main road to reach the trailhead.
Also note, we have personally seen bear activity up there on the trail. And the trail has been closed due to bear activity in the past. We always carry bear spray and bangers and other safety gear on all of our hikes.
Distance: +/-4 km round trip
Kid-Friendly: Yes, younger children may require some assistance
Sugarloaf Mountain | Westside Rd. Okanagan
Between Kelowna and Vernon, sits Sugarloaf Mountain, a super popular local hike. It is family-friendly and will leave you with a sense of accomplishment - from the youngest hiker to the fittest. A fantastic and must-do mountain trail!
The views of the Okanagan Valley, the Whiteman Creek Valley, and beautiful Okanagan Lake are absolutely incredible from this sweet Okanagan treat!
Distance: +/- 5-6 km round trip
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Read more about SugarLoaf here
Kalamoir Regional Park | West Kelowna
Kalamoir Regional Park is a beautiful trail system along the lovely Okanagan Lake waterfront. It combines a mix of scenery, flora, and relaxation all in one with a sense of Okanagan desert splendor. Take in the views on its various trails and admire volcanic rock as you go. A must do with the family!
Distance: Various
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Read more about Kalamoir here
White Lake Lookout Trail | White Lake
White lake Lookout Trail provides a few great options for exploration. A popular, family-friendly route is to climb to the first lookout on the rocky bluffs, overlooking White Lake, Little White Lake, Tappen Valley, and Mt. Ida in the distance. The trail climbs through a picturesque forest, passing by a creek, and offers a great series of switchbacks. To add a more difficult hike and reap all of the rewards, the trail continues upwards through a beautiful open grassy forest before popping out at the radio tower. Continue on from the towers and a short narrow trail leads to a spectacular open panoramic viewpoint of the Shuswap region! Not to be missed!
Distance: +/- 2 km return
Kid-Friendly: Yes, caution steep edges at the first lookout and a steep climb up to towers.
Read more about the White Lake Trails here
Tappen Bluffs | Tappen Valley
Tappen Bluffs has absolutely remarkable views and with relatively little effort to get there! Far-reaching vistas, as far as the eye can see in all directions highlight the breathtaking landscape of the Shuswap. The short hike, with the epic finale, makes this a perfect, quick weekday morning trek or one to do with the family.
Distance: various | 8 km return or drive further up the forest service road to make it a quick 2-3 km hike.
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Read more about Tappen Bluffs here
Mount Baldy | Sorrento
Mount Baldy is a local favorite and for good reasons! It’s close to home, provides a gorgeous trek through a diverse forest, it is not too difficult but will challenge even a fit hiker. It has little wooden bridges and boardwalks with beautiful creek crossings. A charming and interesting sculptural art piece made of old bike parks welcomes you. The peek-a-boo viewpoint and the views at the top of Mt.Baldy will knock your hiking socks off! A local favorite!
Distance: +/- 7.5 km including the 1.7 km Aspen Ramble Loop at top
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Read more about Mt.Baldy here
Bastion Mountain Lookout | Tappen
Bastion Mountain is an iconic rock face towering above the north shore of Salmon Arm Bay, made of mostly limestone and shale. The mountain can be seen from so many areas in the Shuswap and is locally loved! People may recognize this mountain as it was previously the image on our old BC driver’s licenses. An absolutely stunning scene. But be careful, those cliff edges are scary!
Distance: 11 km forest service road with a 1 Km hike around the top
Kid-Friendly: Yes and No. Depends on your comfort level. The cliff edges are very steep and the edge is sometimes hard to make out under the brush. Always keep children far back.
Read more about Bastion Mountain here
McArthur Heights to Balmoral | Blind Bay
An exhilarating and fun overlander trek in our backyard. On a clear day, you can look right over the top of Blind Bay, to Tappen Valley, and beyond to Salmon Arm and Mount Ida. This is an epic sunset hike as the sun goes down gloriously over top of Copper Island and Scotch Creek. The ridge-line path leading from McArthur and the Blind Bay lookout down to Balmoral is a splendid trail through the forest along the mountainside.
Distance: 9 km one way
Kid-Friendly:
McArthur Heights trail: Older kids yes, I wouldn’t take my kids yet and they are under the age of 8. It is a difficult climb.
Balmoral trail: Yes
Read more about McArthur Heights and Balmoral trails here
Reinecker Creek Trail | Sunnybrae Canoe Pt Rd, Tappen
The Reinecker Creek Trail is a multi-use trail through the Reinecker Creek Valley. It provides a nice and long hike, snowshoe, or mountain bike ride through the forest. The trail connects to and is in the same area as the beautiful Herald Provincial Park and impressive Margaret Falls.
Distance: 10-20 Km
Kid-Friendly: Yes but long
Read more about Reinecker Creek here
Little Mountain Park Trail System | Salmon Arm
Little Mountain Park Trail System has a variety of short and easy intertwining trails through a Cedar, Larch, and Pine woodland and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and running. Reach the minor summit of Little Mountain and views overlooking Salmon Arm and Bastion Mountain can be enjoyed from the benches provided. A great trail system to add to your day of shopping or errand running for a little connection to nature.
Distance: 4km loop around an 8km trail system.
Kid-Friendly: Yes
