SUMMER USE
Trail condition
Due to the large elevation differences in the park, some trails will be in summer condition as early as March while other sections may not be snow-free until June. The most sheltered trails, such as Creek and Summer, take the longest to dry out after the snow melts and should be avoided until they are less muddy. Similarly, with a relatively dry fall, trails may stay useable into November.
Multi use
Be aware that summer users include walkers, runners and mountain bikers. All users should be aware of others and avoid situations that could cause conflicts or injuries. Riders should always ride in control, call out their approach to walkers, and slow down. It is easier for walkers to step off the trail, and they’ll be more willing to do so if you haven’t just startled them.
Pack a lunch instead
Trees come down in the park year-round. There are volunteers who try to cut them out quickly, but you should be ready to go over, under or around the odd tree. Please report these downed trees. There is no poison ivy or poison oak in the nature park. We have noticed stinging nettle along the Lower Army Road just past the Pat Morrow Trail turnoff, but unless you go flailing off into the bush it shouldn't be a problem. There are a number of thorny plants in the park ranging from wild rose and thistle to devil’s club, but again, if you stay on the roads and paths these won't bother you. There are, of course, poisonous mushrooms and other plants in the park, so unless you are an expert naturalist or botanist don't eat things - instead, pack a lunch.
Wildlife
Although the park is surrounded on three sides by parts of Kimberley, it can still be a pretty wild place, animal-wise. Moose, elk, deer and bears call the park home for all or part of the year, and you should not be surprised to encounter them. If they are on the trail, the best practice is to call out to let them know you are there. If they do not immediately run off, slowly back away and chose another route. Animals with young deserve extra caution.
Suggested hikes
Suggested hikes can be located using the paper guide and map, or chosen using the Trailforks smart phone app, or read below.
Computer:
From the Trailforks page covering the Kimberley Nature Park, you can quickly access the suggested hikes by clicking on the Routes tab above the map. This will bring up a large list of Trailforks routes for the Kimberley area. All the ones that start with “NP Hike” are hikes that the Kimberley Nature Park Society recommends. Once a route is selected, a brief overview is shown, as well as key information about the location, length, and vertical profile.
Smart phone:
With the Kimberley Area loaded into Trailforks, finding suggested hiking routes is easy. Press the magnifying glass symbol. A set of menu tabs will now appear and you should select Routes. The Kimberley-area routes will be listed in order of approximately how close they are to your current location. Suggested Kimberley Nature Park hikes are listed with “NP Hike” at the start of the names. When you select a route, the map will zoom to fit that area and distance, and the vertical profile will be shown. The overview statement for the hike can be viewed by touching the route name.
Suggested Summer Hiking Routes
North End Circuit
Moderate ~ 5.6 km + 125 m elevation gain
This loop winds around and through glacial ridges and basins, mostly on single track.
From Swan Avenue, travel south on Lower Army Road past the kiosk and Three Corners to Myrtle Junction. Turn right and head north on Upper Army Road, ignoring the first right onto Romantic Ridge. Watch for a narrow path on the right just 150 m beyond, notable for the large stump at the junction. Stump Trail descends into a glacial depression before climbing slightly to the junction with Cabin Trail. Continue north past a trail heading right (Hillside Trail) and finish with a steep climb onto Romantic Ridge. Turn right and follow this prominent ridge southward to a saddle. Turn left at Hillside and left again at the Suicide Trail and continue left on it to Lower Army Road just north of Three Corners. Follow the trail that winds right, ahead from where you intersected Lower Army Road. Follow this single track along a ridge, passing to the right of the kiosk on Lower Army Road to gain Ponderosa Trail. When you regain Lower Army Road you are only 200 m from the Swan Avenue entrance (to the right).
West Side Highline
Strenuous ~ 13 km + 475 m elevation gain
This ‘figure-8’ loop will take you through Horse Barn Valley and down Creek Trail.
From the Nordic Ski Area, follow Centennial and Trapline to Five Corners. Stay right along the bench that wraps around to Rock Slide Trail. Traverse the rocky trail across this wide opening before climbing through forest toward Dipper Lake. Continue to climb up along Shannon Trail, across Bear Trail and on to the rocky crest of Mountain Trail with some excellent views. After a steady descent through open forest, a sharp right (just before a road) takes you back into the forest on Summer Trail. Follow this rooty trail past several wetlands and the Dipper Lake Cabin. At the kiosk, the single track gives way to the old road that leads up Bullfrog Hill back to the junction of Shannon Trail. Turn left onto this roller coaster trail and stay right at all junctions as you descend through shaded cedar forest along Creek Trail. Riders should ride carefully to reduce erosion. At the valley bottom, turn left and follow Army Road north to Myrtle Junction. Continue north on Upper Army Road toward the golf course. Just before the greens, veer left and climb the aptly named single-track Sidecut Trail back to the Nordic trails, where you turn right to return to the trailhead.
Myrtle Mountain Traverse
Strenuous ~ 10 km + 155 m elevation gain
This invigorating route takes you to the top of a scenic hill and then drops back down on pleasant trails, which take you past Duck Pond, a Special Place.
Follow Lower Army Road south past Three Corners and Myrtle Junction. Continue on Army Road to the three-way junction at Higgins Hill. Turn left onto Mountain Mine Road and climb gradually at first through dense stands of pine. The road steepens abruptly halfway up for a challenging 50-metre climb. Near the top you follow a shallow gully to a saddle between Bump Mountain and Myrtle Mountain. (For a side trip onto the rocky shoulder of Myrtle Mountain, which provides fine views east to the Rockies, turn left at the junction for S.W. Passage Trail.) Back at the junction, follow S.W. Passage west along the ridge toward Bump Mountain and a steep descent of 100-metre to the junction with Skid Road. Staying left at this and the next junctions takes you around the east side of Myrtle Mountain on the single-track Duck Pond Trail. Make sure you stop for a moment at Duck Pond (near the junction with Keiver Way) to enjoy this Special Place. Continue north on Duck Pond Trail, which turns into an old road, and watch for a sharp right before Myrtle Junction onto Pat Morrow Trail. Descend this to regain Lower Army Road. Continue north from Three Corners and veer right at the kiosk to gain Ponderosa Trail, which will take you back to the trailhead.
Sunflower Hill Loop
Easy ~ 3.5 km + 115 m elevation gain
This shorter outing is snow-free much of the year and offers scenic views of the Rockies and St. Mary Valley.
Climb through open ponderosa pine forest along Jimmy Russell Road from either E4 or E5. Turn right onto the Duck Pond Trail that climbs directly up the slope. At the top of Sunflower Hill, a sharp right leads along the crest of the hill with excellent views up the St. Mary Valley and across the Rocky Mountain Trench to the Canadian Rockies. The Sunflower Road turns back on itself at the eastern end of the Park and descends steadily across the slope to rejoin Jimmy Russell Road. If you started at the campground, you will have to climb back up Jimmy Russell Road for a short distance to access the single track trail that leads down to the campground.
Natural History Loop
Moderate ~ 5.5 km + 280 m elevation gain
This moderate loop includes a steady climb, scenic viewpoint and is a favourite with local nature buffs.
From the campground or Jimmy Russell Road entrance, follow Jimmy Russell Road up a constant ascent. Just as the road levels off, turn right onto the single-track S.W. Passage and climb to a ridge. A side trip to the right offers a good viewpoint over the St. Mary Valley. From the viewpoint return to S.W. Passage and turn right. In a short distance you will reach the junction with Skid Road (trail). Turn right and continue descending along Skid Road before veering right onto Duck Pond Trail. This leads downhill past several junctions back to Jimmy Russell Road. A left takes you to your starting point.
Eimer's Lake Loop
Easy ~ 1.8 km + 35 m elevation gain
Eimer’s Lake is one of the most accessible Special Places and is an excellent short loop for people of all abilities.
Climb gradually up Eimer’s Road, watching for the narrow trail through the trees that leads to Eimer’s Lake. Enjoy the view at the lake and wander around the right-hand shore. Follow that trail as it loops around the lake. Descend back to the trailhead along Eimer’s Road.
Romantic Ridge Loop
Moderate ~ 3.5 km + 125 m elevation gain
This loop follows wonderful single track trails along two prominent ridges in the north end of the Park.
Start at Higgins Street entrance with a gentle climb up Eimer’s Road to Three Corners.
Follow Lower Army Road south and veer left onto the single-track Pat Morrow Trail. This trail follows a broad ridge toward Duck Pond Trail where a right turn takes you quickly over a small bridge to Myrtle Junction. At Myrtle Junction, head north on Upper Army Road and soon veer right onto Romantic Ridge. Halfway along the ridge, descend to the right on The Suicide Trail to Lower Army Road. Turn right and then immediately left at Three Corners and descend back to the trailhead on Eimer’s Road.
Horse Barn Valley Loop from Matthew Creek
Easy ~ 3.3 km + 70 m elevation gain
This shorter loop is varied and scenic with shaded forests and rocky ridges.
From the HBV Trailhead kiosk, go east for a short distance to gain Summer Trail and follow it through the shaded cedar forest that borders several wetlands. This narrow trail is quite rooty until it climbs slightly toward Dipper Lake cabin. At the second kiosk, you can veer left for a short side trip to Dipper Lake before returning to the old road that climbs Bullfrog Hill. At the top of the hill, turn right and climb the rocky single track of Mountain Trail. On the final descent, watch for a small trail on your left to an excellent viewpoint over the St. Mary Valley. Back on Mountain Trail, continue down to the trailhead.