Trail Maintenance by Helicopter on the Pinawa Trails
“Batabatabata”, the sound of the helicopter hovering around Pinawa all afternoon today, June 27 couldn’t be missed. Is there a forest fire nearby? A major tragedy calling for STARS over and over? No, just Marsha Sheppard and her team of trail maintenance volunteers spreading some gravel, by helicopter. The Problem Even the “wild and wonderful” […]
Jocelyn Hill – Gowlland Todd Provincial Park
We are hiking in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park again, this time to Jocelyn Peak via Caleb Pike. There are several ways to reach Jocelyn Peak. We are hiking the Ridge Trail. Total hiking distance is 4.4 k one way with a very partial loop. My Fitbit registers 9.4 k round trip. Getting There On a […]
Sulphur Mountain Trail – Banff Alberta
“We can handle a little elevation,” I told the fit, young park interpreter at the Banff Tourist office, even though I really can’t. He had just looked us up and down and suggested we hike the Johnson Canyon. “It’s only 2 k round trip and quite flat,” he said to sell it. I was mildly […]
McKenzie Bight Trail
Snowbirding on Vancouver Island may not be for everybody, but it sure fits me. Christmas Day had us working off a couple of perogies on the McKenzie Bight trail in Gowlland Tod Park. We were actually looking for the Jocelyn Peak Loop, but due to a lazy late start, and Ray’s lack of proper clothing […]
The Exhilaration of Active Transportation
If you live in Pinawa, you may have seen a group of middle-aged cyclists heading out-of-town in the rain last week. We were heading to the Seven Sisters Harvest Party. It was a magical evening. One of the things I remain most thankful for are the friends I have accumulated that will do these kinds […]
Real Treasure on the Pinawa Trail
Has anyone been out treasure hunting yet? Don’t know what I’m talking about? The Great Trail Treasure Hunt, hosted by Canadian Geographic and the Trans Canada Trail Association has started. I had a look at the clues and I don’t think I’m letting anything go when I say I think there’s one in Pinawa! It’s […]
Pinawa’s Trail – Dam to Dam
Wow, do we have a not so hidden treasure in Pinawa with our section of the Great Trail, and don’t just take my word for it. Ask the three visitors that came out and joined the Pinawa Friends of the TCT on a hike, two of whom trekked the entire length of it with me. […]
Spicy Radish Cycling Tour
I left the best for last. With over 50 k left to my Great Cycle Challenge goal of 500 k, and only today left to complete it I have few options. Finally, I’m going to explore this cycle to the Spicy Radish I’ve heard so much about. Joining me today is my constant partner in […]
Larry’s Arch – The Keen’s Grant
Larry’s Arch is a picturesque 200-metre path along the Pinawa Channel on Pinawa’s part of The Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail). It’s been named after Pinawa’s first trail builder, Larry Gauthier (now retired). Twenty years ago Larry found this pretty spot and thought it would make a nice walk. This blast-rock part of trail showcases […]
That’s a wrap – TCT Celebration
Thirteen hikers caught the bus from Pinawa Dam at 7:30 AM for the Pinawa through-hike, heading to our starting point Seven Sisters Falls Hydro Generating Station. Already the volunteers had started arriving. When Rosie pulled in with the school bus, I knew it was all going to go just fine. Weeks of planning and the […]
A Secret Discovered – Pinawa!
Disclaimer: this blog entry represents my own personal opinion, and does not represent any particular organization I may belong to or even be President of. I’ve lived in Pinawa for a quarter century now, twenty-five years of listening to, and sometimes being personally involved in marketing Pinawa as a tourism destination. Relatively suddenly, we are […]