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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
48 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2007 : 12:05 PM
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After a couple years of reading everyone's TR's, I've decided to post my own. This is my first, so bear with me.
August 15-18, 2007
Destination: Cathedral Provincial Park
For our annual Summer Camp this year, we decided to take our Scouts to Cathedral Provincial Park for some hiking. Out of 13 Scouts, only 5 were able to make it, and we headed out of Chilliwack at noon on Wednesday the 15th.
After a brief stop in Princeton for Dairy Queen treats, we continued on towared Keremeos, exiting Highway #3 about 3km West of Keremeos. Another 22km, and we were at the parking lot. Cathedral Provincial Park is unique in that it surrounds a private lodge, and the only road into the park is privately owned & operated.
Although it is possible to hike into the park, I was told this is quite a difficult hike, with limited views. The lodge owns several transport vehicles which take visitors up and down the steep, windy road several times a day.
Upon arriving at the base camp on Quiniscoe Lake, we quickly found a couple tent sites in close proximity to a pit toilet and fire pit. The tent pads are excellent and well maintained.
Quiniscoe Lake:
Thursday morning we awoke to a gorgeous day, sun shining and birds chirping, and even a few deer checking out our site.
**I will try to keep this to more of a photo tour, rather than a story. I always want to see other people's pictures, so here goes.
Around 10:00 we set out on our first hike, the Diamond Trail, travelling counter clockwise around Scout Mountain. A few shots along the trail.
The Diamond Trail was a perfect start. A nice loop, with good views, and a decent 225m elevation change over 5km.
The following day, we planned to challenge ourselves. We chose to take the Glacier Lake Trail, climb up to the Rim Trail, turn left towards Stone City, and then decide if we wanted to make it to the Giant Cleft or not.
The trail to Glacier Lake:
Glacier Lake:
Past Glacier Lake, the trail climbs dramatically, up to the Rim Trail.
Up on the Rim Trail, the wind was quite cold, but the views were amazing.
Ladyslipper Lake:
Devil's Wood Pile:
On top of the world:
A few new friends:
Smokey the Bear:
The Giant Cleft:
Descending from Stone City to Ladyslipper Lake:
Shale section:
Ladyslipper Lake - cold and beautiful:
My view after the hike, laying on my back...
Some miscellaneous shots:
All in all a beautiful trip. We conquered the Giant Cleft, saw many outstanding sights, met many wonderful people, and enjoyed this part of Creation for 4 short days.
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Hope, BC
Canada
7093 Posts |
Posted - 08/20/2007 : 12:25 PM
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That looks like an AWESOME place!
The camping area looks amazingly nice, as does the hiking photos.
I really like that vehicle that takes you up there, neat!
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13440 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2007 : 9:17 PM
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A great first report by you, and appreciate your sharing the spread of photos. I have heard much about it, your perspective adds that much more to the interest, and desire to get there. What an amazing rig to drive people up to the site.
K |
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map hatin', coffee perc totin', garbage collectin', backpacking, action hero wannabe, who loves to hide out in Garibaldi park and will have his scouts sing if you keep him awake at night
2462 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2007 : 03:43 AM
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| Welcome to CT, ALes, from a fellow Scouter! Haven't made it to Cathedral yet, but it's on "The List". Looks like you guys had fun. Some great pictures to provide additional inspiration to get there soon. |
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Fast hikin, carrot chompin, always grinnin, gear scatterin recipient of the Theta Lake manouver
Burnaby
2039 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2007 : 06:02 AM
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The more pictures I see of Cathedral Park the more I want to get there. Beautiful.
Good first Trip Report!  |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3838 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2007 : 08:02 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by ALes
Ladyslipper Lake - cold and beautiful:
It looks pretty warm to me.
Now this is a cold Ladyslipper Lake.
I sure want to get back there and finish what I started and your report is giving me an aweful itch.
Very good first report and hope to see many more.
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
719 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2007 : 08:42 AM
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| Nice TR and beautiful pictures. What an experience for the youngsters! Do the other 8 scouts know what they missed? You certainly whetted my appetite for this gorgeous area. |
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Stanwood, Washington
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2007 : 9:57 PM
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| Nice report! I really want to go to Cathedral, I have hiked in the Pasayten on the U.S. side of that park and it is really nice. |
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Chwk, BC
Canada
457 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2007 : 07:32 AM
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| Great first trip report. Looks like a lot of fun. |
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58 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2007 : 08:57 AM
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| how much do they charge for transport. How long does it take? and does it run all day? |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
48 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2007 : 09:23 AM
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The lodge company charges $88 round trip for the transportation up and down, but they offer discounts to groups and Scouts. We paid $45 per person. However we paid for 15 people, expecting a large group, and because we only went with 7 guys, they wouldn't give us a refund, but gave us a credit, good for one year.
It's almost exactly an hour up and an hour down, traveling 16km. Yes, pretty slow, but that road is brutal, definitely not for the faint of heart. Steep drop-off's and cross ditches aplenty. However, it would definitely be passable with any 4x4. |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
48 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2007 : 09:29 AM
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Check out the lodge's website for all the details:
http://www.cathedral-lakes-lodge.com
There's always at least two trips per day, usually leaving the parking lot at 10:00 and 4:30.
P.S. My mistake, the website shows $90 per person.
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Scouting in Cathedral
