Two snowshoe trips are being offered in March, promising a fun day of winter exploration in the mountains around Hope.
On March 5th, a family-friendly snowshoe will explore the gentle terrain around Lightning Lake in Manning Park. Snacks and prizes will be shared with the public, in celebration of BC Parks' 100th anniversary. This is a free family event, with snowshoes and poles provided to the public at no charge. Professional guides will lead the trip, sharing some Manning Park history and pointing out important wildlife habitat during the day-long adventure.
On March 12th, a more advanced snowshoe trip will depart from Highway-5 on the Coquihalla Summit and climb toward a peak called The Needle. The route follows a magnificent ridge crest that climbs above the treeline, giving magnificent views in all directions. Although the terrain is rugged, the particular route offers safety from avalanches. Professional guides will lead this trip, and gear can be rented from Hope Mountain Centre. Participants must be in reasonably good physical condition, as the route demands at least 2 hours of steep climbing before gaining the ridge.
Kelly Pearce, program director with the Hope Mountain Centre, is excited about these March trips. Says Pearce, "I love this time of the year, when the days are longer and the mountain snowpacks are at their deepest. Snowshoeing is a great cure for cabin fever -- it gets you out of the house and up into the mountains to celebrate the beauty of winter!".
Both snowshoe trips require registration through the Hope Mountain Centre Web site at www.hopemountain.org