With an exhausting couple months behind us, we FINALLY were able to pack up the truck and head out for a weekend of much needed camping. Fernie was the town of choice, with Kikomun Creek Provincial Park being the campground of choice.
We had a few things on the list for this trip:
- relax
- golf
- reconnect
- sit by the fire
- attempt parts of Heiko's trail (bucket list hike!).
The view from our campsite. :)
One of my fav views in the entire world.
We pulled up to our campsite, just as a torrential downpour commenced. We sat, laughed, and then proceeded to set up the tent. With our luck, the rain stopped about 5 minutes after we were finished setting up.
As Friday came to a close, we prepared for our adventure the next day, Heiko's Trail. This hike is a point-to-point hike, rated difficult, about 21 KMS long, and 8-12 hours for time so we decided to attempt only a few portions of this trail.
The drive to Heiko's trail head was gorgeous, and my excitement was building with every winding turn (poor Jake).
The hike is pretty secluded, and hosts 2 parking lots. The first is fairly accessible, however the second requires a vehicle with 4x4, severely high clearance, and pretty significant tread to safely access it. Jake and I parked at the first parking lot, and walked the 2.5 KM towards the second parking lot, and the trail head.
So many gorgeous wild flowers along the trail.
Part of the road to the second parking lot.
The walk to the second parking lot was nothing short of spectacular.
We made it to the second parking lot.
The sign I have waited years to see.
The adventures was about to begin and I couldn't wait.
Before I begin the photo spam, let me tell you a little bit about the trail, and the portions we were able to accomplish.
Finished in 2003, the trail was built by one of Fernie's renowed residents, Heiko Socher, who moved to Fernie as a forestry manager and was integral in the foundation of Fernie Alpine Resort in 1964.
He spent the rest of his life in Fernie until he passed away on October 8th, 2016. In 2017, "Heiko's Trail and Mountain Lakes Trail were officially combined and renamed as Heiko's Trail.
The following are the waypoints along the trail (I highlighted the sections that Jake and I were able to access):
0.0 km (1400m) Trailhead at the end of Sulphur Creek Road
2.0 km (1560m) Bisaro Mountain Cave
7.0 km (2280m) West Ridge junction with Three Sisters Trail
10.0 km (1905m) Fairy Creek Meadows
12.0 km (2135m) Windy Pass, junction with Mt Fernie Ridge Trail
16.0 km (1940m) Top of Tamarack Trail
20.0 km (1385m) Island Lake Lodge
Without further adieu, here are the photos from one of my favorite hikes to date!
The part I had been waiting for!
This hike consisted of multiple hand-made bridges and climbing apparatuses. It was definitely an interesting way to get up the mountain.
We found a few moose prints that were pretty fresh, a friendly reminder that we are in their home.
The gorgeous panoramic view we were given before arriving at the cave.
Arriving at Bisaro Cave, the deepest cave in Canada.
After the cave, we headed back to the car, attempting to outrun a lightning storm that was fast approaching. We got back to our site, had some dinner by the fire, and crashed hard. Tomorrow was a special day for Jake, it was the day where he got to golf another new course in the mountains, Fernie Golf Course!
Every which was you looked, you were gifted with a gorgeous view!
We watched this base jumped from the 8th hole, and imagined what needed to be done for us to be able to do that!
Our day finished with a quick lunch at the restaurant, chatting about our weekend. We finished up, gassed up the truck and began the trek back to Cow-town.
Hope everyone had a good weekend.
xoxo
char hazzard
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