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Stargazing in the Skagit January 31, 2025 When: Friday, January 31, 2025 Time: 7pm-10pm Where: Sunshine Valley RV Resort Cost: $69/person (Y outh under 18 must be accompanied by a guardia n) Register For more information or questions, please contact Tunde at info@hopemountain.org or 604-869-1274 Let’s rediscover the night sky through the eyes of astronomers! Join Hope Mountain Centre & the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada to experience the magic of the “Dark Sky Highway.” The evening will include an “Intro the Beginners Astronomy” presentation, build your own star wheel activity, a presentation about light pollution abatement, and hands-on telescope observation! Price Includes: Two presentations by the Royal Astronomical Society of Vancouver: “Introduction to Beginners Astronomy” & “Light Pollution Abatement” Building your own star wheel to take home Use of telescopes and instruction on use Hot chocolate and apple cider Physical Demand: Easy. The hands on activity will take place at the field beside the Sunshine Valley RV Resort. No hiking involved. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless we determine that it will affect the safety of participants. Itinerary: Friday, January 31, 2025 7:00 PM: Check-in at the Great Room at the Sunshine Valley RV Resort (14850 Alpine Blvd, Hope, BC) MAP 7: 15 PM: Watch Intro to Beginners Astronomy presentation from our guest speakers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Build star wheels with the RASC volunteers Light Pollution Abatement presentation 8:15 PM: Head outside to learn how to use the telescopes 9:45PM: We will take a few moments to share what we learned and enjoyed about the evening with our guest speakers from RASC Be aware that times are approximate. Start and end times may vary depending on speed of the group, weather conditions, etc. What to bring: Whenever you are outside in nature, you should always carry The Essentials At a minimum, participants will need the following for this outing: Required Gear Headlamp (with red light if possible!) A spare set of batteries or power bank and cord for your headlamp Water (at least 1 litre per person) Waterproof footwear with good grip Warm winter clothes (no cotton as the first layer against your skin), including jacket, thing, gloves/mitts, toque, warm socks Meet Your Guides Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Founded in 1868, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is Canada's leading astronomy organization, bringing together over 5,000 enthusiastic amateurs, educators, and professionals. www.rasc.ca Guest Speakers: Leigh Cummings - RASC Vancouver and LPA Chair Gordon Bosch - RASC Vancouver and Councillor At Large Norm Taylor - RASC Fraser Valley Meg Turner Program Director Program Director, Meg Turner, considers our wild spaces her second home. Raised in the Girl Guiding community and an active outdoor family, she feels comfortable leading others and sharing her passion for the outdoors. With multiple first-aiding certifications, including Remote First Aid, participants can feel safe exploring the trails with her. Having recently completed her BC Adventure Smart training, Meg will surely prepare everyone well for safe outdoor programs. She is stoked to head out into the wilderness with you hiking, snowshoeing, paddling, camping - whatever fun activity we have planned, she’s in her element and excited to create a memorable place-based learning experience with you. Cancellation: Sorry no refunds! You can pass on your spot to someone else who meets the physical demand of the program, just please let us know as we need registration information from everyone. A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled by HMCOL, participants will receive a full refund of program fees. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless HMCOL determines that it will affect the safety of participants. Hope Mountain Centre reserves the right to change the location of a program for the safety of our participants and staff. No refund is offered when location is changed. Additional information: Liability Waiver Everyone ages 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions. Informed Consent Form Everyone, age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program. Special thanks to our sponsor(s): Program Partner(s):

Meet the staff and board members of Hope Mountain Centre. Meet The Team STAFF Kristine Pérez de León Executive Director Kelly Pearce Trails Director Meg Turner Program Director Tunde Murphy Administrative Director Emily Strukoff Outdoor Educator Claire Grantham Outdoor Educator Jerome Guay Trails SEASONAL STAFF Natalie Worrall Special Projects Vacant Trail Crew Leader Walden Darwin Trail Crew Leader Elias Neitzke Trail Crew Logan Meiser Trail Crew Chris Broswick Trail Crew Rebecca Parson Manning Park Interpreter Caden Cumming Manning Park Interpreter Ali Chiasson Manning Park Interpreter BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robyn Barker Chair Vacant Vice Chair Mike Millar Treasurer Jo Hughes Director Nat Baker Director Matt Turner Director Allan Gossen Director Abhi Satyanarayana Director Adam Keil Director

This overnight adventure in the Skagit Valley gives many young people their very first camping experience. Skagit Valley Camp Grade 6 This overnight adventure in the Skagit Valley gives many young people their very first camping experience. During this one-night, two day camp, four curriculum units are taught outdoors, covering river riparian ecology, hydroelectricity, wildlife, and Skagit human history. Students also learn some principles of backcountry safety and low-impact camping. School District 78 Fraser-Cascade plays a leadership role on this trip, with Hope Mountain Centre playing a supporting role focused on curriculum delivery. A key funder of the Skagit Valley Camp is the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (SEEC). SEEC is a Canada-U.S. body supporting science, recreation, and education in the Upper Skagit Watershed upstream of Ross Dam. Contact our Outdoor Educator Claire at cgrantham@hopemountain.org , or call/text 403-895-4121 for more information. Location : Skagit Valley Provincial Park Grade : 6 Curriculum Overview : Learning outcomes, pre-trip, field trip, post-trip: River Ecology Curriculum; Hydroelectricity Curriculum; Skagit Wildlife Curriculum; Skagit Human History Curriculum. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Click through the images below for a glimpse into this exciting program. 1/26

Trails bring people to wilderness, helping us to achieve one of our core objectives — connecting people with nature. We are passionate about building and improving our local trail network because trails provide so many benefits including improved physical and mental health, spiritual renewal, cultural and historical awareness, community pride, and economic diversification. Trails See the maps below for more information about the hiking, trail running, snowshoeing, and biking trails in our region. You can pick up one of our free, printed Trails of Hope maps at the Tourism Hope, Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre at 919 Water Street in Hope, and many other locations around town, or click the image below to view it online . Feel free to also join our "Friends of Hope & Area Trails " Facebook group to learn about all the latest work happening on our trails. HMCOL Trail Work Trails bring people to wilderness, helping us to achieve one of our core objectives — connecting people with nature. We are passionate about building and improving our local trail network because trails provide so many benefits including improved physical and mental health, spiritual renewal, cultural and historical awareness, community pride, and economic diversification. Hope Mountain Centre works in collaboration with many partners including all levels of government, First Nations, NGOs, private donors, and many passionate volunteers to build and maintain trails throughout the Hope, Cascades and Canyons region. While our plans change year to year, the core group of trails that we work on each year includes the HBC 1846 Brigade Trail, Serpent's Back, Hope Lookout, Flood Falls, Hope Mountain, Wells Peak, Thacker Mountain, Tikwalus, Hope Bike Park, and Landstrom Ridge trails . See more information about all the trails in our region by clicking on the links in the map above. Want to Volunteer? If you would like to volunteer to help with trail building and maintenance, contact our Trails Director Kelly Pearce at kpearce@hop emountain.org or (604) 869-0166. You can also subscribe to our email list and follow our social media accounts on Fa cebook and Insta gram where we announce upco ming volunteer days. Want to Get Paid to Work on Trails? Every spring, we hire trail crew members and trail crew leaders to work throughout the summer. Often these positions are funded by the Canada Summer Jobs program, requiring crew member positions to be filled by persons aged 15 to 30 years. Contact our Trails Director Kelly Pearce at kpearce@hopemountain.org or (604) 869-0166 to express interest. You can also subscribe to our email list, follow our social media accounts on Fa cebook and Insta gram , or check out our Jobs Page where we announce upco ming job opportunities.

Hope Mountain Centre delivers educational programs across a range of areas including programs and events open to the general public, environmental education programs in the class and out in the field with schoolchildren, connecting Indigenous youth with their land, and naturalist programs and presentations at E.C. Manning Provincial Park. Educational Programs Hope Mountain Centre delivers educational programs across a range of areas including programs and events open to the general public, environmental education programs in the class and out in the field with schoolchildren, connecting Indigenous youth with their land, and naturalist programs and presentations at E.C. Manning Provincial Park. Public Programs & Events School Programs Indigenous Youth Outdoors Manning Park Interpretation Programs

Manning Park Bird Blitz Photo: Tunde Murphy When: Friday-Sunday, June 20-22, 2025 Where: Lone Duck 1, Manning Park Cost: $75 - Full Weekend Birder $60 - 1 Night Camping Birder (Friday or Saturday) $45 - Day Birder + BBQ $35 - Day Birder (no BBQ) FREE - Young Birder (Children and youth under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian) Register For more information or questions, please contact Tunde at tmurphy@hopemountain.org or 604-869-1274 Don’t miss this annual important citizen science initiative! With a diverse mix of coastal, mountain, and interior climates, E.C. Manning Provincial Park supports a massive variety of birds - over 200 species! June is a great time to visit, when forests are alive with a riot of birds exuberantly advertising for mates and defending territory. This, combined with the park’s extensive network of scenic trails, makes Manning a paradise for birders - experts and novices alike! About the Manning Park Bird Blitz Founded by Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission’s (SEEC) Canadian Commissioner Gail Ross in 1983, making it British Columbia’s longest-running bird count! The original intentions were to create an event that would not only promote the activity of birding, but also encourage expert birders to help create continuity by sharing their knowledge and passion with those less experienced. Conducting an annual bird-count would create an official record of presence and absence of bird species in Manning Park during active breeding season (June). The Bird Blitz has provided a multi-year database of Manning Park birds that is shared with park staff, biologists, and the general public. It is a beloved event the Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning is proud to carry on. A fun social event, it is also a nice time for old acquaintances to reconnect, and new birders to join a group of passionate comrades! We are so grateful for Ross creating this lasting tradition that has improved our understanding of Manning Park's ecological richness while also building a strong community of birders who celebrate the beauty and importance of the avian world. Itinerary: Friday, June 20, 2025 02:00pm- Birders may arrive and set up camp at Lone Duck 1. Some birders may choose to stay at nearby fixed roof accommodations (at their own cost). 06:00pm – Meet at the registration/resources tent at Lone Duck 1 Campground , E.C. Manning Provincial Park and check-in, sign liability waivers . You can avoid the crunch and check in early, anytime between 2:00 – 6:00pm. There is plenty of room for RV’s, campers, trailers and tents. 08:00pm – Evening presentation by Remi Torrenta. Rémi will give a brief overview of the new State of Canada's Birds (2024), outlining how bird populations are doing in Canada, and how people can help birds. He will then describe some cool Species-at-Risk research and monitoring work he is involved in, specifically about Long-billed Curlew and Black Swift. Don't miss the short movies that will be screened! Participants must arrange their own transportation to Manning Provincial Park and to areas chosen for birding within the park. Saturday, June 21, 2025 Early Morning - Friday campers start at various times through the early morning (as arranged Friday evening), birding groups will begin hiking different trails in Manning Park to record species and numbers of birds (by sight or call). 17 birding areas have been identified in the park and birders are welcome to visit as many of these areas as they wish 08:00 - 8:40am - New arrivals check in at registration table at Lone Duck 1 campground and join their expert level group. 09:00am - “Introduction to Birding” for beginner birders –Kelly Pearce and Scott Denkers will lead a morning outing for beginners “Intermediate Birding” for birders with a little more experience. Our guest birder Bill Kinkaid will lead a morning outing with more advanced birders 05:00pm - Birders gather at Lone Duck 1 campground for an evening barbecue (we will provide buns/dinner rolls, salads, chips, juice, tea, hot chocolate, coffee and condiments–bring your own choice of protein!) 06:30pm - After dinner, birders will meet around the campfire for a quick run-through of the day’s bird and other wildlife sightings, sharing their thrilling moments and exciting debacles! 08:00pm - Evening presentation by Dick Cannings Sunday, June 22, 2025 More birding will occur in those areas not covered on Saturday, with people leaving Sunday afternoon. If you are birding on the way out of the park, please send us your completed checklist as soon as possible to tmurphy@hopemountain.org . Be aware that times are approximate! Start and end times may vary slightly. Price includes: Full Weekend Birder – $75 Fee covers Friday & Saturday camping fees, Saturday barbecue (bring your own protein), guest speakers' Friday and Saturday evening presentation, birding kit and field data information, educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! 1 Night Camping Birder /Fri day/ – $60 Fee covers Friday night camping fees, guest speakers' Friday evening presentation, Saturday birding, Saturday barbecue (bring your own protein), birding kit and field data information, educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders 1 Night Camping Birder /Saturday/– $60 Fee covers Saturday night camping fees, Saturday birding, Saturday barbecue (bring your own protein), guest speakers' Saturday evening presentation, birding kit and field data information, educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! Day Birder + BBQ – $45 Fee covers Saturday birding with birding kit and field data information, use of educational displays and materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! Fee also includes the BBQ on Saturday evening (bring your own protein) and Saturday evening presentation . No camping included! Day Birder (no BBQ) – $35 Fee covers Saturday OR Sunday birding with birding kit and field data information, use of educational materials, and company of friendly, like-minded birders! No camping or BBQ included! Young Birder – $0 FREE for children and youth aged 18 and under, must be accompanied by an adult participating in event. Fee applies to all birders; those camping and those staying at other fixed roof accommodation. For those attending the barbecue, please bring your own protein . We will provide a variety of salads, buns, coffee/tea, fruit juice and various condiments. Bringing your own cutlery and plates to help with our cleanup! Physical demand: Participants should be in reasonably good physical condition, but there will be plenty of opportunities to rest and enjoy the birds and surroundings–you’ll be on your own schedule! It’s also your choice of birding trails, from flat and easy to steep and strenuous. Please be prepared for all weather conditions. June conditions can be cold or hot, or anything in between! Temperatures at camp typically range from -3C to +20C. Snow may be encountered at higher elevations. What to bring: Whenever you are hiking, you should always carry The Essentials Recommended items: Backpack to carry all your belongings Sturdy boots and gaiters Water (at least 1 litre) High-energy food Warm clothes and rain gear Binoculars/spotting scope, camera Bird ID guidebooks and/or apps downloaded for offline use on phone Headlamp First aid kit Firestarter Emergency shelter/blanket Map and compass (and/or GPS navigation + spare batteries/powerbank and cord) Multitool Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, Chapstick Amenities: There are no electrical or sewer hookups at the campground. Lone Duck 1 campground has a shelter with some picnic tables, communal fire pit, potable water and outhouses. Picnic tables are limited, so campers are encouraged to bring folding tables and chairs of their own. Manning Park Lodge is close by (6mins drive) and has a restaurant, café, and gift shop. Be prepared to camp in shoulder season conditions (potential for cold and wet) and provide your own food. An exception is the Saturday night barbecue, when you can just arrive with protein for the grill. Alternatively, Manning Park Resort has a few restaurant options: https://www.manningpark.com/food-and-dining/ . Come prepared to hike in any weather condition, with temperatures ranging between -3C and +20C. Snow will likely be found at higher elevations. Gaiters are helpful to keep mud and snow out of your boots. Accommodation: Event Camping Group Camping will be available at Lone Duck 1 campground with plenty of room for our group. Come prepared for tenting or RV camping. There are no electrical or sewage hookups. Facilities include outhouses, potable water and a communal campfire pit. Bring your own folding table and chairs if possible as picnic tables and seating are limited. Skyview RV Campground If you require electrical or sewer hookup for camping, there is also Skyview Campground nearby. Accommodations other than the Lone Duck 1 are at your own cost and should be booked well in advance as space is limited and fills up quickly. Book your space at Skyview Campground by visiting https://www.manningpark.com/skyview/ Manning Park Lodge Note: If you are staying at the resort, you should book soon. Rooms go quickly. To book your room, call Manning Park Lodge at 1-800-330-3321 (toll-free) Accommodation may also be booked online by clicking HERE. Lodging outside of Manning Provincial Park is also available within a 30-to-45-minute drive. Program Partners: Sponsorship of the Bird Blitz With the support of BC Nature, the Manning Park Bird Blitz is organized and delivered by Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning. Both non-profit organizations are devoted to nature appreciation and stewardship, and together, they bring long-term stability and increased promotion to this great Manning Park citizen science tradition. Funding Support We are grateful for the financial support provided by the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission, the Province of British Columbia, and BC Parks. Meet Your Guides Dick was born and raised in Penticton in a family that loved nature and the outdoors. He was a biologist at the University of British Columbia for 17 years then moved back to the Okanagan in 1995 to work as a consulting biologist and writer. While working for Birds Canada, Dick coordinated the Christmas Bird Count in Canada and helped develop the eBird program. He has written more than a dozen books on nature and the environment, including the best-selling “British Columbia: a Natural History. In 2015 he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay, retiring in April 2025. Dick Cannings Saturday Night Guest Speaker Rémi Torrenta Friday Night Guest Speaker Rémi Torrenta is a Wildlife Biologist and the British Columbia Projects Coordinator at Birds Canada. He obtained his Master degree in France, then a PhD in Forest Bird Ecology at the Université de Moncton (NB), and he has been involved in avian research for the past 15 years, including on the East Coast and West Coast of Canada. Rémi is currently managing and overseeing a dozen of programs, including all Birds Canada's Citizen Science programs in British Columbia, Species-at-Risk research and monitoring programs, Urban Birds program, outreach and education programs, as well as Indigenous engagement. He is convinced that conservation goals are better achieved through a combination of research, citizen science, and scientific outreach. Kelly first became involved with the Manning Park Bird Blitz when he was hired as a park naturalist in 1993. He took over management of the event in 2000, and by 2009, Kelly brought the Bird Blitz under the wing of Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature. For 31 years, Kelly has taken pride in seeing the birding tradition at Manning Park change and grow. Kelly Pearce Le ader Scott Denkers Le ader Scott's interest in birds and natural history began early in life. His post-secondary education led to degrees in biology and physical geography. Following university, he worked at various natural resource organizations over a couple of decades in the U.S. In 2006, Scott moved to Canada with his wife, Connie, and soon after began working with the nascent Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning. After helping grow Hope Mountain Centre for 13 years with an outstanding group of people, Scott retired from his job as Administrative Director in 2021. He is a passionate birder and although retired, he remains involved with Hope Mountain Centre's bird blitzes and other events. His deep interest in birds and nature in general also keeps him active with Nature Chilliwack, an affiliate club of BC Nature, and BC Field Ornithologists. Scott also loves to spend time with gardening, nature photography, family and the most amazing grandkids. Bill Kinkaid is a member of the board of directors for Friends of Cypress Provincial Park, former president and board member of Nature Vancouver, and former co-chair of their Botany Section. He leads many hikes and birding walks and was Field Trip Co-ordinator for Nature Vancouver’s annual field camps for a number of years. Bill has a life-long interest in birding, botany, and human history, with a particular affection for the mountains especially Manning Park and the Canadian Rockies. Bill Kink aid Intermedi ate Group Le ade r Cancellation: Sorry no refunds! You can pass on your spot to someone else who meets the physical demand of the program, just please let us know, as we need registration information from everyone. A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled by HMCOL, participants will receive a full refund of program fees. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless HMCOL determines that it will affect the safety of participants. Additional information: Liability Waiver Everyone ages 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions. Informed Consent Form Everyone, age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.

Manning Park Interpretative Programs Entertaining and educational for the whole family, naturalist programs held at E.C. Manning Provincial Park teach visitors about the park's history, its inhabitants, and its unique features. Offered from June to September, Manning Park interpretive programs are a collaborative effort supported by Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning, Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission, BC Parks, and Manning Park Resort. See the event calendar posted on our Fa cebook and Insta gram page and on the Manning Park Resort website for upcoming dates. Manning Park interpretive programs are free educational programs for all ages during the summer season, held multiple times throughout the day, seven days a week. Activities include nature walks, amphitheater shows, and other special events. Topics include plants, animals, and human history with BIG concepts such as climate change, keystone species, light pollution, seasonal migration, and adaptation woven into several of the programs. Nature Walks Join our Naturalists as they guide you on an interpretive walk of one of Manning Park’s many trails. These events are appropriate for all ages, and everyone is welcome. Themes and locations will vary. Please wear good footwear and dress appropriately. Rain or shine! Most interpretive walks last approximately one hour. Amphitheater Shows Join Manning Park Naturalists and guest speakers for entertaining and educational evenings at the Lightning Lake Amphitheatre throughout the summer. The area is wheelchair accessible, located in Lightning Lake Campground and accessed from Spruce Bay Beach parking lot. These events are for the whole family to enjoy, and last approximately one hour. Amphitheater programs will be held rain or shine so please dress appropriately. Special Events Special events are held throughout the summer months. You can always find us in the Lightning Lake Day Use area for Parks Day on the third Saturday in July. Other programs and events may vary year to year, including guest speaker programs, and more. Want to Work as a Park Interpreter? Every winter/spring , we hire seasonal Park Interpreters to work throughout the summer months at Manning Park. Contact our Board Director and Senior Interpreter, Jo Hughes at jo@manningpark.com to express interest. You can also subscribe to our email list, follow our social media accounts on Fa cebook and Insta gram , or check out our Jobs Page where we announce upcoming job opportunities.

Thacker Marsh trail Thacker Marsh Trail Stats Trailhead Location: https://g.co/kgs/4t2k4Ws Round Trip Trail Distance in KM: 1.5km Elevation Gain in M: 0 Highest Point in M: 70 Dogs Allowed: Yes (on leash) 4 X 4 Needed: No Map Trail Access The trailhead and parking lot are accessed off of Union Bar Rd. Here is the google map for the parking lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vsEJ8YQd8fRvh8Yh6 The trail is located inside the town of Hope at the base of Thacker Mountain. There is a pit toilet and garbage can near the parking lot. When hiking every trail please practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out anything you pack in. Trail Description A gently graded gravel trail take you alongside Thacker Marsh connecting from Sucker's Creek where it meets the Fraser River, east to Kettle Valley Road. There is also a short trail connecting you to Union Bar Road where you can get a different view of the marsh from the roadside. This marsh is home to an abundance of wildlife including beavers, great blue heron, red-winged blackbirds, and more. It is an excellent spot for wildlife viewing, including bird watching, and seeing salmon spawning. Dogs on-leash are permitted on the trail, but please be responsible to ensure they are picked up after and do not wander off the trail to disturb wildlife or the surrounding habitat. There is cell phone reception on this trail but it's always best to download any electronic maps you plan on using beforehand such as Gaia GPS or AllTrails . Other Trails Nearby Trail Reports Feel free to leave a comment below with trail reports so other users can learn about current conditions. This trail is managed by FVRD . Please contact them to report any issues with the trail. Email them using the contact form here or call 604-702-5077. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Tikwalus Heritage Trail Trail Stats Trailhead Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PFPpUy5DYxaJexb6 Round Trip Trail Distance in KM: 12.6 Cumulative Elevation Gain in M: 968 Highest Point in M: 905 Dogs Allowed: Yes (on leash) 4 X 4 Needed: No Connecting Trails: Bluffs Trails, 17 Mile Creek Mule Trail, Gate Mtn Trail Map & Elevation Profile Trail Access The trailhead and gravel parking area are about 3km north of Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park on the east side of Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1), about a 30 minute drive from Hope. There is a picnic table and kiosk (big, wooden sign) with information about the trail at the trailhead. Here is the google map for the parking area and trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PFPpUy5DYxaJexb6 The Nlaka’pamux (Thompson) First Nation has traveled this trail through the Fraser Canyon for thousands of years. It was used for hunting, trapping, plant gathering, and as a safe travel route that bypassed the sheer canyon walls at Hell’s Gate. Dramatic evidence of First Nations’ traditional use can still be seen along the trail today. The trail’s other name -- “First Brigade” -- refers to the trail’s brief history as an early fur trade route. The Nlaka’pamux shared their trail with the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), who used it to transport furs from Fort Kamloops to Fort Langley. “Brigades” of up to 400 horses and 50 men traveled this trail in 1848 and 1849 – the HBC’s first attempt at crossing the Cascade Mountains. Today, a 10-kilometer portion of the original trail is restored, giving hikers and overnight backpackers spectacular views of the historic Fraser Canyon. The trail climbs steeply from Highway-1 to the summit of Lake Mountain, where you can camp overnight. One of the earliest, snow-free backpacking trails at elevation in the region, this summit is usually snow-free in early to mid May. It is an intermediate level hiking trail on the tougher end of the category as a 12.5 km round trip with a cumulative elevation gain of 968 metres. Dogs are permitted on the trail, but please be responsible to ensure they are picked up after and do not wander off the trail to disturb wildlife or the surrounding habitat. There are no garbage cans or toilets at the trailhead. There is a nice picnic table that we installed in 2024 to enjoy. A pit toilet is available at the top at the camping area. Please practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out anything you pack in. Historic Background The Nlaka’pamux / First Brigade Trail is just one of many that once laced through the Fraser Canyon, connecting villages and fishing sites and also providing access to important food and medicine in the high mountains. The Nlaka’pamux traveled widely through a very large territory. This particular route headed directly from their village of Kequeloose up to Lake Mountain. From there, they could pass east to Nicola Lake (Merritt) and Kamloops, or north along mountain ridges to Boston Bar and Lytton. Along the trail, you can still find some of the traditional plants they gathered for food, medicine, clothing, and building materials. Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs) are visible along the trail, showing evidence that Redcedar bark was harvested here by First Nations many years ago. 1847 – Arrival of the Hudson’s Bay Company In 1847, a Nlaka’pamux chief named Pahallok met an employee of the Hudson’s Bay Company named Alexander Caulfied Anderson. Anderson needed help finding a route over the Cascades, to bring his fur-laden horse brigades to the Fraser River from Fort Kamloops. Pahallok met Anderson near Kequeloose and showed him one of his hunting trails, guiding him east over the top of Lake Mountain, and connecting with a long-established Indian horse trail along the Anderson River to Merritt and Fort Kamloops. Chief Pahallok and some of his men were later hired by Anderson to improve the Lake Mountain trail for horses, by building switchbacks and removing fallen timber. Anderson was the HBC Chief Trader tasked with finding a new route to the Pacific, and he succeeded with the help of Chief Pahallok and the Nlaka’pamux. The Hudson’s Bay Company was desperate to rescue their fur business in Western North America. For the previous 20 years, the HBC had been transporting valuable furs from their northern forts south to Fort Kamloops, then down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean and world markets beyond. However, the creation of the Canada/U.S. border in 1846 put the lower Columbia River into American hands. The HBC desperately needed a new, all-British route from Fort Kamloops to the Pacific Ocean. The Fur Brigade of 1848 The trail was ready to receive its first “Brigade” in the spring of 1848. In May, 400 horses left Fort Kamloops under the supervision of 50 men. This “outgoing brigade” carried furs destined for Fort Langley on the Fraser. The route over the Cascade Mountains proved to be very stressful for both horses and men. In the mountain sections, there was little forage for the horses besides pine needles and cedar branches. The horses were weak and starving by the time they reached the Fraser River at Kequeloose (Alexandra Lodge). The brigade continued down the east bank of the Fraser, swam across the river at Spuzzum, then continued down to Fort Yale via the Douglas Portage. At Yale, the brigade was met by four 30-foot bateaux (flat-bottomed cargo boats) sent up from Fort Langley. The exhausted brigadiers and their precious cargo of furs were able to travel the rest of the journey by boat, arriving at Fort Langley on June 8th. They were given a month to rest and re-organize before returning on the “incoming brigade” to re-supply the forts before winter. By the time the incoming brigade returned to Fort Kamloops on August 23rd, the HBC had lost 70 horses to malnutrition and injury. In addition, 25 pieces of valuable cargo had been lost and one HBC employee had committed suicide. Not surprisingly, the HBC abandoned the route. The 1848 route was only used by the fur brigades one more time in the spring of 1849, but by then, an easier route over the Cascade Mountains had been found. 1849 - A Better Route Over the Cascades Following the disastrous brigade of 1848, the HBC considered another First Nations trail that had been shown to A.C. Anderson back in 1846. Called “Blackeye’s Trail”, the route was used by Similkameen Chief Blackeye for hunting and trade. The trail crossed the Cascades from Blackeye’s village at Otter Lake to the Stó:lo village of Ts’qó:ls (Hope). During the winter of 1848, the HBC’s Chief Factor in Fort Victoria, James Douglas, ordered James Yale (the Chief Trader at Fort Langley) to build a new fort beside the Stó:lo village of Ts’qó:ls, at the confluence of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers. Yale sent Henry Newsham Peers and a crew of 10 men to build a trading post there, and to build a trail connecting the new fort to Blackeye’s Trail. The fort’s name reflected the company’s desperate need to find a safer brigade route over the mountains. Thus, Fort Hope was established in 1848, and the new trail was completed by Peers and his men in time for the incoming brigade of 1849. The 1849 trail was a success, serving as the HBC’s main transport route over the mountains until the early 1860’s. The Nlaka’pamux / First Brigade Trail Lives On Although the 1848 trail was rejected by the HBC, it continued to be used by First Nations for hunting and plant gathering, and later by gold seekers who traveled the canyon in the 1850’s and 60’s. The trail continued to be a convenient way to avoid the cliffs of the Black Canyon and Hell’s Gate, on the way to Boston Bar and Lytton. Trail Work Hope Mountain Centre worked on restoring the trail in collaboration with Spuzzum First Nation, New Pathways to Gold Society, the Ministry of Transport, and Recreation Sites & Trails BC. The grand opening was April 20, 2012. We continue maintaining it annually. Other Trails Nearby Trail Reports Feel free to leave a comment below with trail reports so other users can learn about current conditions. To ask us a question or to report an issue with the trail, please email our trails team kpearce@hopemountain.org or info@hopemountain.org as we do not monitor this comment section regularly. Alternatively, feel free to post in our "Friends of Hope & Area Trails " Facebook group to let our team know, as well as learn about all the latest work happening on the trails we manage. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.

Read all about what Hope Mountain Centre gets up to each year. Each document recaps our organization's accomplishments and challenges each year. Annual Reports 2025 Annual Report 2022 Annual Report 2024 Annual Report 2023 Annual Report 2021 Annual Report

Conservation One of Hope Mountain Centre’s purposes as a charitable organization is to conserve, protect and restore natural resources within Southwest British Columbia by facilitating and guiding environmental and land stewardship projects. Some of our key conservation projects are done through community education, monitoring and reporting of rare grizzly bear sightings in southwest BC, and water quality monitoring in the Skagit River watershed in the Canadian Cascade Mountains. Our conservation work, as with all Hope Mountain Centre activities, would not be possible without the help of our funders and dedicated volunteers. Thank you immensely to everyone involved. Conservation Initiatives Water Testing World Rivers Day Grizzly Bear Reporting Leave No Trace Conservation Resources & Links Joint Nations Grizzly Bear Initiative Okanagan Nation Alliance - Grizzly Bear Recovery Coast to Cascades – Grizzly Bear Initiative Wild Safe BC People and Carnivores Living with Wildlife Foundation Leave No Trace Canada

Wells Peak trail Wells Peak Trail Stats Trailhead Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4DBTWKdNZhRaTomu6 Round Trip Trail Distance in KM: 6.3 Elevation Gain in M: 712 Highest Point in M: 1820 Dogs Allowed: Yes (on leash) 4 X 4 Needed: Yes Map & Elevation Profile Trail Access The trailhead and parking lot are located at the top of Mt. Hope Forest Service Road, accessed off of the Crowsnest Highway 3. The dirt and gravel road is steep in some sections with occasional ditches requiring a vehicle with clearance to make it up. Here is the google map for the parking lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4DBTWKdNZhRaTomu6 The parking lot is the same for both the Hope Mountain and Wells Peak trails. Dogs on-leash are permitted on the trail, but please be responsible to ensure they are picked up after and do not wander off the trail to disturb wildlife or the surrounding habitat. The trail is located just outside the town of Hope. There is a pit toilet ("loo with a view") at the top of the trail. When hiking every trail please practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out anything you pack in. Trail Description Stay tuned for more info to be updated soon At the top of the trail be sure to fill out the logbook. Note there is cell phone reception on parts of this trail but it's always best to download any electronic maps you plan on using beforehand such as Gaia GPS or AllTrails . Trail Work Hope Mountain Centre's trail team continues to maintain the trail each year thanks to funding support from the District of Hope and others. See a full list of our partners here . Other Trails Nearby Trail Reports Feel free to leave a comment below with trail reports so other users can learn about current conditions. To ask us a question or to report an issue with the trail, please email our trails team kpearce@hopemountain.org or info@hopemountain.org as we do not monitor this comment section regularly. Alternatively, feel free to post in our "Friends of Hope & Area Trails " Facebook group to let our team know, as well as learn about all the latest work happening on the trails we manage. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment.