Things to Do Outside
We are situated in the middle of some of the best hiking, climbing, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, high-alpine camping and bird-watching in Canada, if not the world. The Columbia River headwaters begin to our south, and the valley from there to Golden, BC, form the longest intact wetlands in North America. These wetlands form part of the Pacific Flyway (our namesake), the longest, largest bird migration route in the world.
Spillimacheen Craig
The Bugaboos
Bird Watching
Hiking
Jubilee Mountain Fire Lookout
Other Stuff
Spillimacheen Crag
The premier rock-climbing area south of Golden and north of Radium. 300+ routes including bouldering, trad, sport, top-rope and multi-pitch from 5.5 to 5.12+. Mostly sport, mostly mid-grade.
Getting There:
Drive out our front gate, down Westside Road, you’ll be there in ten minutes.
Further Reading:
https://www.mountainproject.com/area/107237923/spillimacheen
The Bugaboos
The Bugaboos have several internationally known mountaineering routes. The Beckey-Chouinard (South Howser Spire), West Ridge (Pigeon Spire), Northeast Ridge (Bugaboo Spire), Snowpatch and Surf’s Up (Snowpatch Spire) attract world-class climbers. It is also an excellent place to hike or back-country backpack in amazing alpine meadows.
Getting there:
Drive ten minutes south to Brisco, turn onto Brisco Road and drive an hour to the provincial park trail head. You’ll want an off-road capable or high-clearance vehicle.
Further Reading:
https://bcparks.ca/bugaboo-park
Bird Watching
The Columbia Wetlands stretches from Canal Flats to Golden, is the intact wetlands in North America. It’s a significant breeding ground and stop on the Pacific Flyway, the world’s longest and largest migratory bird route. It starts at the southern tip of South America, and extends up to the Arctic Circle. Over 300 hundred species stop or pass through here every year.
Getting There:
Walk across the road.
Further Reading:
Hiking
Several close by hikes that we can recommend are:
Lower Bugaboo Falls – close-by, short and sweet, with a little bit of exposure. Great way to shake off a day in the car.
Diane Lake Tea House – also close by but longer (good day trip!) with a tea house at the top.
Emerald Lake – in Yoho National Park, a little bit of a drive, but well worth it.
Jubilee Mountain Fire Lookout
Not for the faint at heart, but worth it if you have the right truck and are comfortable with self-rescue. Up an abandoned logging road, the out-of-commission Jubilee Mountain Fire Lookout is still used by photographers, adventurers and hunters to climb to the top of the world and peek down through the clouds into two valleys. On a clear day you can see Golden to the north and Invermere to the south, and a get a sense of how big the Columbia Wetlands really are.
Getting There:
Ask for directions, or hitch a ride with a local. If you’re the first one up this season, bring a chainsaw. Open June – September(ish).
Further Reading:
https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/then-and-now-a-mountains-journey-back
Other Stuff
Canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, river and lake fishing, and panning for silver are all available out our front door or close by. If you’re looking for an adventure closer than Banff or Jasper (nothing wrong with either, both beautiful places, but plan for the drive and the crowds), we often recommend the Burgess Shale (World Heritage Site and and exceptional fossil bonanza) or Takkakaw Falls (at 373 metres/1,224 feet), both located in Yoho National Park.