Feb. 23: Winter Snowshoe with Daryl Hanson
Trip Reports
Dina Hanson
In September of last year, the KNP hosted 37 International first-year students from College of the Rockies (COTR) on a pleasant hike through the Nature Park. The intent was to introduce them to the beauty and natural world of the largest municipal park in BC.
In order to experience winter outdoor activities, two students, Benedict Makali and Hasi Muhandiram, took a break from their studies to join the February hike and snowshoe trek, led by Daryl Hanson. Benedict is a 1st year Practical Nursing student from Nairobi, Kenya ("City in the Sun"); Hasi, also a 1st year student, left his home in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, to pursue a post-degree diploma in Sustainable Business Practices. Both Benedict and Hasi live in Cranbrook, but Hasi will be making frequent trips to Kimberley, as he has recently become a member of the Kimberley Nature Park Society Board.
They each shared their impressions of their experience in the KNP.
Benedict: The experience offered me mental clarity and recharging from the classroom! The breath-taking scenery was a lifetime experience on my first-ever outdoor winter activity. I have had good days in Canada, and the KNP hike and snowshoe trek ranks among the best ones. Thank you for such a memorable day.
Hasi: An opportunity to connect with nature on my birthday offered me the best-ever gift of the day. The walk encouraged me to keep connected with nature, which helped relieve academic stress and took me away from the busy world.
2. Connie Jones
After listening to the rain all night and into the morning, we were fortunate to have the clouds part and the sun appear for a snowshoe exploration of Kimberley Nature Park.
Nine hikers, along with Daryl and Dina Hanson as our guides, met at the Higgins Street entrance to start our hike. We proceeded up Eimer's Road, left onto Elbow and then right onto Edge Trail. Edge Trail, we were told, is, for the most part, not in the Kimberley Nature Park but runs along its edge.
Along the way Daryl described the formation of some of the ridges in (and on the edge of) the Nature Park and pointed out these glacial-fluvial landforms, created by erosion or deposition that results from flowing meltwater from glaciers. He also talked about the history of Cominco/Teck, its importance on the establishment of Kimberley and the ongoing water collection and treatment.
The warm temperatures and recent rain made the trails soft and easy walking although one risked disappearing into the deep snow if misstepping off the track.
While walking, we noticed lots of black specks along the track. Betty stopped to explain that they were springtails, also known as snow fleas or in scientific circles as Hypogastruna nivicola. In some places they were speckled like pepper on the white snow and in others, there were almost drifts of them.
Then off of Edge Trail and onto Keiver’s Way where it was time to don snowshoes. While getting used to walking in heavy sticky snow with snowshoes, we were treated to homemade mini-muffins.
We travelled over Duck Pond then onto Elmer’s Lakes and saw lots of deer and elk tracks with plenty of droppings from both. We heard a black-capped chickadee calling "cheeseburger" and spotted a squirrel scampering between and up trees, both seemingly enjoying the mild weather.
Up a rise and back onto Edge Trail where we took off the snowshoes and made our way back. We had estimated a three hour walk and made it in three hours and three minutes. But now that I think about it, I believe we forgot to stop for lunch.
Thanks to Daryl, Dina, Betty and all the hikers for a great snowshoe trip in Kimberley Nature Park.
Photos by Connie Jones, Hasi Muhandiram and Dina Hanson
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Sunday, February 23, 2025
10am to 1pm
Higgins St. Entrance
Join local Daryl Hanson for a 5km walk and snowshoe exploration of the Nature Park and Eimer's Lakes! Please dress warmly and according to the weather, and bring a hot drink, lunch, and snowshoes. Dogs are welcome!
Email Daryl (quickdnd@gmail.com) for more info or if you need snowshoes.
