2023 Events in the Nature Park

Saturday, June 3

11am

Platzl Parking Lot Visitor Centre

Join Jen and her dad, Peter, for a dabble into mountain biking. Route and difficulty will depend on who shows up, duration approximately 2 hours depending on weather and difficulty rating. Bring lots of water, bug spray, and a snack if you think you might need one.

Sunday, June 11

9am

Riverside Campground

"What to See in HBV"

Join Struan for a 4km, 3-hour loop hike from the west into Dipper Lake by a shady, level approach. After a short snack break, return on a slight rise to a dry, rocky ridge, with viewpoints. A grove of large cedar trees; a spaghnum bog; maybe hear or see a pika (rock-rabbit); Dipper Lake with a unique aspen grove; striped coral root and other flowers. Bring a lunch and come prepared for a hike.

Meet at Riverside Campground to arrange carpooling to the HBV trailhead.

Sunday, June 18

9am

St. Mary’s Rd and Matthew Creek Forest Service Road

Father's Day Hike with John

Meet at the junction of St. Mary’s Rd and Matthew Creek Forest Service Road at 9a.m.

Join John and spend Father's Day morning on a moderate hike through the beautiful Horse Barn Valley. We will take Talus Trail to Dipper Lake, then up Bullfrog Hill to Bear Trail Viewpoint for a snack. We return via Coral Route to complete the circuit. We will carpool up to HBV parking area. High-clearance vehicle recommended. Bring water, snack, and plan for mosquitos. Well-socialized dogs welcome.

Leader: John Henly. Wednesday, June 21

Longest Day of the Year

4pm at Campground Trail entrance

Wildflowers vs. Weeds: A walk with the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council

Join Megan on this informative walk that will hone our eyes to various plants. We will go as far as the weeds take us. This might include some moderate climbing. We will be investigating the plants for about 90 minutes depending on what we see. Bring your questions and knowledge and curiosity. We will see plants that might be in your neighborhood or where you live. Bring water, a snack, and plant identification book if you have one. If not, some will be available. Some bending may be necessary. Well-socialized dogs are welcome.

6:30pm at Higgins St. entrance

A Wonder Wander: Introduction to Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing)

Join Linda to experience the concept of forest bathing. For about 2 hours we will explore the park and learn about this approach to being in nature. We will walk and rest in some spots. If you like, bring something convenient to carry to sit on, water, and anything else you will need for comfort. You will leave knowing another way to be in the park! Not suitable for most young children or dogs as this is your time to relax and connect with the forest.

Saturday, July 8

8am-10am

Higgins Entrance

"Singers in the Park"

Join Ruth for a leisurely stroll in the Eimer’s Lake area to listen and identify bird song. We should hear warblers, vireos and kinglets to name just a few of the many songsters in our park! Bring water, a snack, and binoculars if you have them.

Sunday, July 16

9am

Riverside Campground

"Explore the Tora Bora"

Join Struan for a 4km, 2-3-hour loop hike up a mysterious, shady valley and, after a snack break, a return over a dry ridge with a west-facing viewpoint. Cedar, fir, pine, spruce, poplars ferns and lots of alder; some flowers and unusual fungi; maybe see or hear pika (rock rabbits) in the rockslides.

Meet at Riverside Campground to arrange carpooling to the HBV trailhead.

Sunday, August 6

9am

Horse Barn Valley

Join two professional geologists (Ralph and Hannah) for this informative hike. Meet at the Matthew Creek turn-off, (6.8km) on St. Mary's Lake Road at 9am to arrange carpooling up to the HBV trailhead. Bring water and a snack. Well-socialized dogs are welcome.

Sunday, September 10

10am

Kimberley Nordic Centre

"Myrtle the Magnificent"

Join Jan and Brad Bingham at 10am for a 3- 3.5 hour hike up Myrtle Mountain. The hike is rated moderate and approximately 9km with a reasonable elevation gain. Hiking poles might be a benefit if you like. Well-socialized dogs are definitely welcome. Bring enough water & snacks and anything else for the weather. Meet at Nordic Centre parking lot. Jan and Brad (289 241-0964)

Friday, September 29

7pm

Campground Trail entrance

"Full Moon Rise Hike at Sunflower Hill"

Join Paul for this Harvest Moon 3.6 Km loop. There will be one moderate uphill section of 0.5 km. The remainder is flat or down hill. Bring water/ fluid to drink and any snacks for your comfort. You will stop at various view points and rest at the Sunflower East bench for a snack and the full moon rise.

Bring your camera and tripod if desired for evening pictures and Moon Rise. As it is cooling, please dress in layers, wear comfortable footwear and you will need a flashlight or headlamp as we descend in the dark. Check your batteries please and thanks. We may have a surprise view towards the end of the hike. If you have any questions, email Paul and provide your phone number. pparonet@telus.net. If it is completely cloudy and/or a constant drizzle, we will try to reschedule.

Sunday, October 8

10am

Kimberley Nordic Centre

"Chasing the Colours"

Meet at the Nordic Trails parking lot at 10am to join Lauren Bathory for a 3-hour hike to check on the progress of the larch colors. The hike will include Dipper Lake and the viewpoint, Shannon Trail and Creek Trail. Bring water and a snack. Well-socialized dogs are welcome.

Saturday, October 14

8am

Campground Trail entrance

"Partial Solar Eclipse Hike"

Join Paul for a hike up to the Southwest Passage viewpoint to observe the partial solar eclipse. It will occur starting at ~09:11, max at ~10:25 and terminating at ~11:44am. The hike will be about 3.5 hours. We will discuss and demonstrate safe ways to view the eclipse. Bring water and a snack. More details to come.