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 in Canal Flats, and the valley from there to Golden, BC forms the longest intact wetlands in North America. They are part of the Pacific Flyway, the longest, largest bird migration route in the world.
Spillimacheen Crag
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 Tower), 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 one of the largest intact wetlands in North America. It’s a significant breeding ground and stop on the Pacific Flyway, and a major migratory bird route. That route starts at the southern tip of South America, and extends up to the Arctic Circle. Over 300 species stop or pass by our front porch 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.
Diana 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 of 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 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 Takakkaw Falls (at 373 metres, one of Canada’s tallest.) Both are located in Yoho National Park.