March of Memories When: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Time: 1pm-3:30pm Where: Our walk will begin in front of Baker’s Books Cost: FREE for seniors/elders (55 and over) $20 for all other ages (Y outh under 18 must be accompanied by a guardia n) Sold Out For more information or questions, please contact Tunde at info@hopemountain.org or 604-869-1274 Let’s discover her Origin Story. The first peoples of Ts’óq:ls called this place home, long before colonial explorers! Ts’óq:ls to Hope - the origin story of Hope, BC Join us for a senior/elder-focused historical walkabout! HMCOL’s Meg Turner and Kelly Pearce will talk about the people and places before Simon Fraser came down the river in 1808, and the journey to what would become Fort Hope. We will have multiple stops to discuss the town's history and rest as needed. Stops include the Fort Hope National Historical Site, the Christ Church National Historical Site, and the Fraser River. Our walk will begin at Baker’s Books storefront and continue at an easy pace around town. The length of our walk will be approximately 5 km, done at a slow pace with minimal elevation gain. Price Includes: Experienced guides certified in first aid Hot chocolate and a light snack Physical Demand: The walk will be under 5 km with minimal elevation gain, and the walk will be done at a slow pace with many stops to discuss our local history. The walk is a mix of pavement, gravel, dirt with some roots and rocks. Waterproof footwear with good grip is highly recommended. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless we determine that it will affect the safety of participants. Itinerary: Wednesday March 19, 2025 1:00 PM - Meet at the Baker’s Books storefront (800 3rd avenue, Hope, BC) for check-in and introductions. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the program. 1 :15 PM - Walk begins 2:15 PM - Stop for hot chocolate & light snack. *Provided 3:30PM - Arrive back at Baker’s Books and depart Be aware that times are approximate. Start and end times may vary slightly depending on speed of the group, weather conditions, etc. What to bring: Participants will need the following for this outing: Water Daypack to carry items Comfortable walking shoes Warm clothes and rain gear in case of inclement weather ALSO RECOMMENDED Sunglasses, sun hat, sun block Notebook Camera Walking poles if desired Meet Your Guides 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. Kelly Pearce is a former Program Director and a founding member of the Hope Mountain Centre. He has worked as an outdoor educator since 1993, and has a keen interest in the ecology and human history of the North Cascades. Kelly Pearce Trails Director 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.

An introduction to the fascinating world of terrestrial insects and how their adaptions have led to their mighty success on planet earth! Insects Grade 2 An introduction to the fascinating world of terrestrial insects and how their adaptions have led to their mighty success on planet earth! Combining classroom activities with field-based explorations, students explore the fascinating world of insects! Covering concepts such as adaptations, life cycles and behaviour, we will discuss the many ways insects are beneficial to humans and earth, and also how some are pesky and detrimental! See how social colonies such as bees, ants and termites communicate and work together to be successful. The very popular “Bee Game” played during the field trip will have students communicating through dance! Locations : On school premises or at the local park if desired. Options include: Cheam Wetlands or Spirit Trails in Agassiz; Ruby Creek Adventure Park, Thacker Marsh, Rotary Trail or Dr. RD Morrison Park in Hope. Grade : 2 Curriculum Overview : Insects Program: learning outcomes, pre-trip, field trip, post-trip. For more information contact our Outdoor Educator Claire at cgrantham@hopemountain.org , or call/text 403-895-4121. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Teacher Feedback: “It was terrific. Everything about it was A+. Educators did a wonderful job and the kids and I learned a lot. It was really well done.” “We really enjoyed our class presentation and field trip. They were educational, interactive and enjoyable!”

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.

Women's Introduction to Backpacking When: Friday-Sunday, July 26-28, 2024 Time: Friday, 10am- Sunday 4pm (overnight) Where: Jacobson Lake to Horseguard Camp, HBC Heritage Trail Cost: $429/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 Are you an experienced / intermediate day hiker looking for the next step up, but lack the confidence or skills to do so? Then this program is for you! Come and join us in this female* only introduction to backpacking. Best suited for moderately experienced hikers looking to step up their backcountry experience. Our group size is purposely kept small for a safe and inclusive environment, with a maximum of 15 participants, plus a minimum of 3 trip leaders. *We welcome cisgender females, transgender, agender, two-spirit, nonbinary, and genderqueer individuals. HMCOL is a proud member of the Safe Space Alliance This year’s trip will take us on a different section of the HBC Heritage trail. Starting at Jacobson Lake, we will hike 12.5 KM down to Horseguard Camp, one of the historic camps of the trail. On the second day, our day hike will take us through beautiful forest and eventually through the defiles (narrow passage through the mountains left by melt water from glaciation). Along the way, we will witness remnants of history, with trailblazes left by Chief Blackeye’s peoples, and later HBC fur traders. We will get to observe beautiful wildflowers through subalpine meadows and break for lunch at the highest point of the HBC Trail: Blackeye’s camp on the Tulameen plateau. This day will be a 12 KM day, with 652m elevation with a day pack. Trip Highlights: Hike a historical trail Hike through beautiful old growth forest and the defiles Overnight camp along the Tulameen river, at historical Horseguard Camp Hike through meadows and observe wildlife Hike in a safe space, with a like-minded group! Learn about Adventure Smart’s 3Ts : Trip Planning, Training and Ten essentials, introduction and presentation of gear selection, options for backcountry food, Leave No Trace Principles, and more! Itinerary: Broken down in 3 mandatory sessions: All 3 sessions are MANDATORY (Gear talk night, trial hike and backpacking weekend). Not only does this allow us to get to know each other, it is to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment during this program. 1. Wednesday, June 12, 2024 7-9pm “Pack and Plan”: A Gear and trip planning online zoom meeting: We will get to know each other, discuss the plan for the backpacking trip, discuss the gear you have and suggest gear you may need to change or acquire, and talk about meal planning and other logistics. 2. Saturday, July 6, 2024 9am-1pm A half-day test run hike in Hope …Not in the backcountry yet. We will practice on a trail in Hope BC. You will get a chance to pack your gear as you would for our trip, test the weight distribution, make necessary adjustments and get a real feel of what to expect with your weighted overnight backpack to practice before we enter the backcountry. Please ensure you wear the same hiking boots and backpack with gear you plan to use for the trip. 3. The Backpacking Trip - Friday, July 26, 2024 10:00AM – Gather in Hope at the Rec Centre (1005 6 Ave, Hope ) check-in, sign waivers, *Participants must arrange their own transportation to Hope and carpooling can be arranged from Hope to the Trailhead and back to Hope. . 10:30AM – convoy together to the trailhead. (50 km on the Coquihalla Highway, 50KM on the Tulameen FSR) MAP After arriving to the trailhead we will hike to our campsite and set up camp. *Be aware that times are approximate! Start and end times may vary slightly depending on speed of the group, weather and road conditions, etc. Saturday, July 27, 2024 After breakfast, we’ll put on light day packs and hike for the day up the defiles to Blackeye’s Camp. Sunday, July 28, 2024 After breakfast, we will take down camp and hike back to the trailhead What to bring: Whenever you are hiking, you should always carry The Essentials Participants will need the following items below: CLOTHING : Sturdy waterproof hiking boots or hiking shoes . Must be broken in so they don’t blister you. If you plan on buying new footwear for this trip, it is HIGHLY recommended you purchase them and hike in them at least 8 times prior to this trip. Socks — A thi n synthetic (not cotton) inner sock and a thick outer sock (preferably wool). Bring at least 1 extra pair of back-up socks Long pants and shorts or zip-off pants (no jeans) Waterproof rain pants 2 tank tops or T-shirts (merino wool or polyester – NOT COTTON) 1 long sleeve shirt (merino wool or polyester – NOT COTTON) 1 mid layer (fleece, wool, or puffy jacket) Rain-proof jacket 1 pair of gloves 1 toque non- cotton undergarments FOOD: Water reservoir or bottle(s) with 2 litres of water Hi-energy snack food (ie power bars/balls, trailmix) 3 lunches on the trail 2 dinners in camp 2 breakfasts in camp Any drinks you wish to have GENERAL GEAR: Sleeping bag — rated to -10 Celsius minimum Sleeping mat — ie inflatable Thermarest 3-season tent Stove, fuel, pots Method to purify drinking water Cup, plate, cutlery Sunglasses Sunscreen Chapstick Toilet paper, bags to place used TP in, to pack-out with you, and hand sanitizer Head lamp Multi tool Basic first aid and moleskin for blisters Hiking poles (highly recommended) Day pack for light hiking (you can also just use your overnight pack if you prefer) Bug repellent/mosquito face net/Tick spray Bear Spray Gear is available for rent at Mt. Waddington’s Outdoors in Chilliwack (604-846-1984) and Valhalla Pure in Abbotsford (604-850-5523) if you need it. Book ASAP if you need to rent gear. Price includes: Trail guide and naturalist First aid backup Training regarding gear and backcountry camping techniques NOTE participants are required to provide all their own gear and food Physical demand: Please note that THIS PROGRAM IS NOT SUITABLE FOR BEGINNER HIKERS! Nor should this be your first challenging hike of the year. All participants must be able to carry a large backpack containing all their own gear described in the trip checklist up 500-650 metres elevation and 12km each day. Pack weight for first and last day will likely be around 25-40 lbs (11-18Kg) including food and water. Please contact us to discuss your hiking experience if you are unsure if this trip is suitable for you. Meet Your Guides Moon Pruvost Program Director Connie Davis Volunteer Moon is Hope Mountain Centre’s Program Director. She is an experienced educator and backcountry mountain guide. Her passion for the natural world and grizzly bears led her to study Wildlife and Forestry Conservation. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid, Avalanche Skills Training, Leave No Trace Master Educator and has experience as a bush craft/survival instructor. Moon loves to share her knowledge and love of the outdoors with people of all ages! When she is not guiding, you can usually find her exploring the outdoors with her puppy, Kenai. Connie has volunteered for Hope Mountain Centre since 2009 and is a former High Adventure Scoutmaster. Her passion for the outdoors led her to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2005 and she enjoys introducing people to the backcountry. Connie is a retired nurse practitioner, experienced Leave No Trace Educator, and is certified in Wilderness First Aid. Connie enjoys hiking with Cooper the coonhound, camping with her grandkids, and birding with her husband. Michelle brings a passion for the HBC Heritage Trail to the hike along with her remote first aid certification. She first experienced Black Eyes Plateau from Horse guard Camp 8 years ago. After 37 years of nursing and 8 years on ski patrol, she retired to start a new journey connecting with nature. Her days are filled with snowshoeing, skiing, and hiking with her four dogs. She loves being out in nature, where she feels peaceful, happy, wild, and free. Michelle Pacholzuk Volunteer 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 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.

Hope Mountain Centre, in collaboration with environmental groups, seeks public support to document sightings of grizzly bears in southwest British Columbia. Call the toll-free sightings hotline 1-855-GO-GRIZZ (1-855-464-7499) if you see a grizzly bear in southwest BC, or email us. Grizzly Bear Conservation 1/1 Hope Mountain Centre, in collaboration with environmental groups, seeks public support to document sightings of grizzly bears in southwest British Columbia. Call the toll-free sightings hotline 1-855-GO-GRIZZ (1-855-464-7499 ) if you see a grizzly bear in southwest BC, or email us. Grizzly Bear Sighting? Email Us! In your message, please provide as much detail as possible. Include the date and time of your sighting(s), the location, number of bears or signs of bears you saw, if they were adult, juvenile or cubs and/or approximate size, what they bear was doing, and what made you think it was a grizzly bear or sign of grizzly bear activity. Please attach any photos or videos you have of the sighting. Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Submit Thanks for submitting! W hat We're Doing Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning collaborates with other groups working on grizzly bear conservation in southwestern BC like the Wildlife Branch of BC Ministry of Forests, the Joint Nations Grizzly Bear Initiative and Okanagan Nation Alliance - Grizzly Bear Recovery to share information. We encourage reporting of sightings from the general public by distributing informational posters at retail outlets, trailheads, public buildings and other facilities. Sighting reports are screened by trained personnel and forwarded on to partner organizations like BC government biologists who may follow up with field verification and utilize information in their work. Why? Grizzly bears are extremely rare in most of southwest BC, particularly in the Cascades and the eastern slopes of the Coast Range. The public is being asked to report sightings because every individual grizzly is important to these populations. The BC government lists grizzly bears in Cascades, Garibaldi/Pitt River, Stein/Nahatlatch Rivers and Squamish/Lillooet populations as “threatened.” Estimates indicate that there are fewer than 40 grizzly bears on the eastern slopes of the BC Coast Range and the Cascades in the area stretching from Lillooet to I-90 in Washington State, USA. Grizzly bears are slow to reproduce and slow to recover from low numbers. BC biologists and their counterparts from the US have worked together for years on grizzly bear science and recovery. We hope to invest citizens in a similar vein through citizen science monitoring. Every verified sighting contributes to our knowledge about SW BC’s grizzly bears which in turn helps us understand how vulnerable they are to local extinction. Hikers, climbers, hunters, fishers, photographers, loggers and ranchers – anyone who is recreating or working in the mountains can potentially contribute. The more solid information people have about grizzly bear abundance and distribution, the better their ability to monitor bear recovery. Call the toll-free sightings hotline (1-855-GO-GRIZZ or 1-855-464-7499) if you see a grizzly bear or signs of a grizzly in southwest BC. 

 For more information please visit: coasttocascades.org/sightings https://jointnationsgrizzlybear.com https://syilx.org/projects/ki%C9%82lawna%C9%82-grizzly-bear-recovery/

Volunteer with Hope Mountain Centre! There are many ways you can get involved including hiking trail building and maintenance, co-lead a guided mountain adventure, help out with our environmental education school programs, help out on the Hope Mountain Black Bear Committee and more. Volunteer with us! Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and the causes you care about. It's also a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and gain valuable work experience. Hope Mountain Centre has several areas in which volunteers can become involved. If you would like to learn more, please contact us at info@hopemountain.org or call/text (604) 869-1274. If you're ready to get started, please fill out the form below: Other ways to volunteer or get involved Join our Board Do you want to help direct the strategic path of Hope Mountain Centre? Consider sharing your skills by joining our Board of Directors . Contact our Board Chair Robyn Barker at rbarker@hopemountain.org to learn more. Guest Speakers Do you have an area of expertise related to Hope Mountain Centre's mission ? We are always looking to collaborate. Communications Are you a social media guru? Do you have experience using Mailchimp or Wix or Canva? Copywriting or designing using other programs? We'd love to hear from you! Fundraising Do you have experience grant writing? Donor relations? Or maybe you're just an excellent writer, or an outgoing person who loves socializing? We could use your help! Administration Do you love organization? Data entry? Whether you're looking to gain experience, or you're looking to impart your many years of experience, we would love to hear from you. Volunteer Internship Looking to gain school credit, or work abroad experience? We are happy to host volunteer interns. We can not provide accommodation nor visas, and we do not have an office to work from so all internships are remote work opportunities and require use of your own computer and mobile device. If you are local to the Hope area, we can meet in person regularly. Contact kperezdeleon [at] hopemountain [dot] org to discuss.

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

Skagit Valley Bird Blitz When: May 10-12, 2024 Time: Friday 1pm - Sunday 12pm Where: Ross Lake Group Campground Cost: per person $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 After a long forced hiatus due to the pandemic followed by the flooding of 2021, we are excited to host the Skagit Bird Blitz once again! Inaugurated in 2011, the Skagit Valley Bird Blitz was created by Kelly Pearce with help from Denis Knopp, Al and Jude Grass, Scott Denkers and other birding enthusiasts. It was also co-hosted with BC Nature with special help from Bev Ramey. The event seeks to replicate the Manning Park Bird Blitz, a successful event that now spans 41 years of ornithological sightings! Early May is a great time for novice and experienced birders alike to visit the Skagit – the birds are singing and nesting; spring wildflowers are in glorious bloom; and the infamous Skagit mosquitoes have not yet achieved their full blood-sucking majesty! With 199 recorded species, the Skagit offers a beautiful mountain setting and a classic “U-shaped” glaciated valley that is traversed by a widely meandering river. Healthy waterfowl populations are found here, including harlequin ducks and the lush riparian forests are alive with songbirds. There are also dry forests of Ponderosa Pine and open meadows where birds of prey frequently hunt. All in all, a thriving web of diverse ecosystems to attract our birds. As the Skagit Valley spans the Canadian-U.S. border, it forms a natural corridor for north-south migrants, an important corridor to study in the years ahead, as climate change continues to impact the timing of bird breeding and migration. Human migrants enjoy the Skagit Valley lands too, both Americans and Canadians can enjoy birding in this trans-boundary wilderness. Itinerary: Friday, May 10, 2024 01:00 - 7:00pm – Birders arrive and set up camp at Ross Lake Group Campground in Skagit Valley Provincial Park - Download MAP - Check-in at the registration table Participants must arrange their own transportation. 07:00pm – Form birding groups, choose a trail, and receive your birding kits. Late arrivals can register at the Ross Lake Campground until 9:00 pm Friday, or early Saturday morning 8:00pm – Presentation by Denis Knopp on the "Birds of the Skagit Valley" Saturday, May 11, 2024 Morning – Starting at various times through the morning, birding groups will hike different trails in the Skagit to record species and quantities of birds, doing so both by sight and call. Sixteen birding areas* have been identified in the park, and birders are welcome to visit as many of these areas as they wish 09:00am – Beginner's group walk begins 05:00pm – Birders gather at Ross Lake Group Campground for an evening barbecue with buns, salads, condiments, and drinks (bring your own protein!) 07:00pm – After dinner, birders will meet around the campfire for a quick run-through of the day’s wildlife sightings, sharing their thrilling moments and alarming debacles. 8:00pm – Kelly Pearce will present an introduction to the Skagit Valley, exploring topics from its natural history, human history, as well as the marvels of its valuable habitat. Sunday, May 12, 2024 Morning – More birding will take place in the areas not covered on Saturday, with participants leaving Sunday afternoon. Please note that some birding areas might be inaccessible due to flood damage. HMC team will assess the areas as soon as the Silver-Skagit Road is open. Be aware that times are approximate! Start and end times may vary slightly depending on speed of the group, weather and road conditions, etc. 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 – $60 Fee covers Saturday night camping fees, Saturday and/or Sunday birding, 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! 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 . 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! 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. May 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 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. Come prepared to hike in a variety of weather, with temperatures ranging between +25 Celsius during the day and +5 at night. Gortex Gaiters are helpful to keep mud and snow out of your boots. Accommodation: Event Camping Group Camping will be available at Ross Lake Group Campground with plenty of room for our group. Come prepared for tenting or RV camping. There are no electrical or sewage hookups. Facilities include pit toilets, drinking water, a covered cook shelter with wood stove, and a group campfire ring. Bring your own table and chairs, if possible, as picnic tables and seating are limited. Amenities: There are no fixed-roof accommodations in the Skagit, so birders must come prepared for tent or RV camping. The nearest accommodation is in Hope, which is an hours’ drive from Ross Lake. Program Partners: We are grateful for the financial support provided by the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission and the Province of British Columbia. Birding Data: All data gathered during the weekend will contribute to a multi-year database on the Skagit’s bird population. Similar to the Manning Park Bird Blitz, data will be compiled and shared with the public as well as many ornithological researchers. Hope Mountain Centre and BC Nature will share the Bird Blitz data via their respective websites. Meet Your Guides Denis Knopp Guest Speaker Kelly Pearce Group Le ader Scott Denkers Group Le ader Denis Knopp is the principal of B.C.'s Wild Heritage Environmental Consultants. He has thirty years of experience focusing on biological resource inventories of rare flora and fauna, site environmental assessments, and environmental monitoring in B.C. Denis is a well-known naturalist with skills that cover a broad range of vegetation and wildlife species although he is best known for his work with rare plants, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies. Dennis played a key role in helping to create the Skagit Valley Bird Blitz back in 2010, helping Hope Mountain Centre staff to create a detailed bird checklist for Skagit Valley Provincial Park, and to designate the 16 distinct birding areas found within the park. 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. Kelly has enjoyed working as an outdoor educator in the North Cascades for 31 years. He helped to establish the Skagit Valley Bird Blitz in 2011, working in collaboration with Jude and Al Grass, Denis Knopp, and Scott Denkers. While it has been frustrating to see the Skagit Blitz sidelined in recent years by pandemics, fires, and floods, Kelly is excited to see the event make a dramatic comeback in 2024! 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.

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):

Hope Mountain aka Mount Hope Hope Mountain aka Mount Hope/Mt Hope Trail Stats Trailhead Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4DBTWKdNZhRaTomu6 Round Trip Trail Distance in KM: 9.3 Elevation Gain in M: 808 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.

Our Salmon Story programs reach young children and parents with indoor and outdoor experiences. We give kids the chance to touch real artifacts such as skulls and pelts, and we use entertaining props such as puppets and scale models to convey concepts. Salmon Story Ages 0 - 5 Salmon Story programs reach young children and parents with indoor and outdoor experiences. We often partner with the StrongStart program happening in our region. Contact us for more information about educational programs we can do for your group by reaching out to our Outdoor Educator Claire at cgrantham@hopemountain.org , or call/text 403-895-4121. Ages : 0–5

Environmental education, outdoor skills development courses, trail building & maintenance, and nature conservation projects are just a few of the many things Hope Mountain Centre is focused on. Connecting People and Nature Since 2005 DONATE NOW Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning is a registered Canadian charity (BN 818663940 RR0001) and BC Society (S0049715) working to strengthen people’s connection with nature to improve the health and wellbeing of humans and the natural world. Through recreational trail building and maintenance, outdoor skills development courses, educational guided mountain adventures, environmental education school programs, and a variety of wildlife conservation and research projects, we ignite people’s sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship. Educational Programs Public Programs & Events School Programs Indigenous Youth Outdoors Manning Pa rk Interpretation Programs Conservation Projects Grizzly Bear Monitoring Learn More Water Quality Monitoring Learn More Leave No Trace Learn More World Rivers Day Learn More Trails HBC (1849) Heritage Trail Serpent's Back Hope Mountain Thacker Mountain Below are some of the trails Hope Mountain Centre works on. See the Trails webpage for more information about what we do, how to get involved, and a map and links to trail reports of all trails in our region.