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, October 8
10am
Kimberley Nordic Centre
"Chasing the Colours"
Meet at the Nordic Trails parking lot at 10am to join Lauren 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.
