Island lake, Fernie BC Hiking Trail Update

Trail Conditions August 5, 2011

SPECIAL MESSAGE:  Heiko’s Trail, the Rocky Road Trail as well as some off trail guided hikes are now in great hiking condition!!!  Treat yourself and hire a guide to take you there!  Guided hike, shuttle and dinner packages are available.

Rail Trail

The Rail Trail will host a section of the Trans Rockies bike race Tuesday August 9^th!  Beautiful sights and sounds next to Lizard Creek with good views of the “Three Bears” peaks half way up the trail.  Grass trimming along the trail has recently been completed.

Old Growth Trail

Beat the heat!  Shady old growth cedars, and lush interior rainforest plants make this trail a local favorite.  Stay bear aware.  Some black bear families have been enjoying the old growth forest this summer.

Lake Trail

The forest around the lake is looking lush and vibrant.  Devil’s Club and Cow Parsnip are reaching new heights, but it looks like the thimbleberries and huckleberries are a couple weeks away yet.   A momma moose with two newborn calves have been hanging out around the lake.  Give them a wide birth and keep pets on a leash.

Fir Trail

Big cedar, towering larch, and majestic Douglas fir trees make this trail worth a visit.  Check out the viewpoint looking up Hunter’s Bowl and plan your ski lines for a catskiing adventure with Island Lake next winter!

Tamarack Trail

Wildflowers at all the viewpoints promise to put a smile on your face!  Paint brush, penstemon, columbine, anemone and scorpion weed to name just a few.  If you make it up to the Five Star summit to “Aiden’s Bench”, you will be rewarded with views towards Heiko’s Trail and the Three Sisters as well as the Island Lake property.

Baldy Loop

Check out the views over the backside of Baldy Mountain while you are at ridge top.  Descending west Baldy provides great vistas of “the Wolverine”, a steep rocky bowl in the Lizard Range.  If the pink and yellow monkey flowers don’t make you smile at the creek crossings…well, you might not be the plant geek that I amJ

Spineback Trail

If you are observant, you will see many horn coral fossils on display in the limestone of the Spineback trail, especially two thirds of the way up.  A sweet array of wildflower in the alpine right now.   Envision your self riding the alpine bowls in winter as you hike through some epic Island Lake Catskiing terrain!