Trails and Campsite improvements in Chillwack Lake and Skagit Valley area

BC Parks just let us know the following camping/hiking news:

Recently, BC Parks along with members of the BC Conservation Corps built 5 tent pads at Lindeman Lake, 2 tent pads at Greendrop Lake and brushed out the old Flora/Greendrop connector trail We hope that word gets out that the old Flora/Greendrop trail has been brushed out again and that people start using this trail. It is a beautiful hike in Chilliwack Lake P.P. (albeit a bit strenuous) that more people should get to enjoy!

BC Parks partnered up with the Student Conservation Association and for the last two summers have been working to brush out the trail to Galene Lakes in Skagit Valley Provincial Park. Thanks to the hard work of the Student Conservation Association this past summer, we were able to finish brushing out the trail all the way to Galene Lakes. We are hoping that lots of people take advantage of this trail that takes you to three beautiful alpine lakes, provides access to some great ridge walking and provides breathtaking views of Ross Lake.

New BC Orienteering Club

Here's some info from a new club starting up in Chilliwack. Contact them if you're interested. The club leader, Rick, wrote:

I am in the process of forming a new Club, the Fraser Valley Orienteering Club (FVOC), to look after the Abbotsford-Hope area, and based in Chilliwack...

Orienteering is all about getting from point A to points B, C, D and so on, using just a map and compass... It can be done as a leisurely stroll taking Grandma and the Kids along, or it can be done in a highly competitive manner, against the clock, at a World Class level... It can be thought of as hiking with a twist... you don’t have to stick to the trails, you can go (delicately) through the forest too... each person (or small team) can decide their own route, easy or hard, shorter or longer, as long as you get to the designated point(s)...

There is a Canadian Orientation Federation, and an Orienteering Association of BC... there is a Greater Vancouver Orienteering Club too (GVOC)... and they have offered to take us “under their wings” until we can get going on our own...

What I would like to know is:

• Is there any interest in the Chilliwack area to partake in such an activity, if it was up and running?

• Are there any people who would be interested in forming part of the volunteer Executive or Staffing positions?

• Should we look at this as being a “part” of HikeChilliwack or Chilliwack Outdoors Club, from simply an activity standpoint, or should it be a separate entity altogether? (Membership Fees will be required to cover insurance and Federation costs)...

There is a lot of information available on the internet... just Google “Orienteering” and see what comes up... or get hold of me... Thanks...

Rick Walker
604 847 0082
chillijack@gmail.com

Hiking Sumas Mountain, Fraser Valley, Abbotsford

Interested in hiking near Abbotsford, BC? Sumas Mountain (South) is a good, pretty easy option for a short hike that's right off the freeway.

See a slideshow of the Chilliwack Hiking Club's recent hike up this trail:

See Sumas Mountain South hiking trail details