Don’t let your hiking end once summer is over. I plan to be outside hiking every moment I am not either working or sleeping during the winter break to make up for the lack of forest time I got this crazy semester.
Always remember to bring the 10 essentials with you on a hike, even if it’s just a short day hike; try to always go with a hiking partner; tell someone else of your plans; use a satellite device if you are out of cell reception; and be prepared to brave the elements on any winter hike. Some of these hikes are for advanced level hikers, so take extreme caution.
Chilliwack Community Forest, Chilliwack: This forest is magical when covered in a fresh blanket of snow. This community forest has an expansive trail network for people of all experience levels. Would highly recommend frolicking in the snow here.
McKee Peak, Abbotsford: This fairly short, relatively easy trail is not only great cardio, as you are going up a steady incline most of the way, but it is right next to a Christmas tree farm. So you can enjoy your time in the woods, then cut a little bit of it down to put in your living room and fill with ornaments.
Hunter Road Trail, Mission: This trail is an absolute gem — it’s perfectly suited for beginners and has the most stunning view at the end, overlooking Stave Lake and the vast forests and rivers surrounding it. When we went, there was even a group of hikers who brought up their little jetboil burner to brew a small pot of coffee at the top. Genius.
Mount St. Benedict, Mission: This is one of the more advanced hikes as it requires a bit of navigational skills to know where you’re going, and with the high elevation gain you’ll likely run into snow within the first third portion of the trail. The starting point is off of Lost Creek Forest Service Road, and the trail entrance is almost completely hidden, with just a small pink marker to indicate there is a trail there. For the first part of the trail, you’ll be walking through a forest with a lot of zig-zags, and once you get out of the forest, you’ll end up on a logging road that will keep going up and up and up until you reach a lookout point. When I went, we didn’t make it all the way to the lookout point, but it was still a lovely little romp in the snow.
Dragon’s Back Trail, Hope: I have not yet had the pleasure of completing this trail, but it is definitely on my list. A friend of mine who did it relished in how fun of a hike it was. It has a doable elevation, a mix of stairs and rocks to hike up, as well as a view of a waterfall and the chance to try out a rope swing at the beginning of the trail.
Whippoorwill Point Trail, Harrison Hot Springs: A peaceful trail through a quiet forest that leads you to the most serene beach you can imagine. While there are a few steep, rocky sections, it was definitely a fun, light-hearted hike that makes for a great trail to do with a friend.
Zupjok Peak, Hope: Probably the hardest trail on this list. Only consider doing this trail if you would consider yourself an experienced hiker/snowshoer. If you don’t shy away from a challenge and would do anything to get pristine 360 degree views of snowy mountain ranges that go on as far as the eye can see, then this hike is for you. There are many other hikes for varying levels of difficulty in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, so if you’re not up for something so demanding, peruse through AllTrails to find the right one for you.
Hollyburn Peak, Vancouver: This one is outside of the Fraser Valley. It’s all the way up on Cypress Mountain in North Vancouver, but if you are going out that way at any point in the break, this hike is definitely worth doing. It is a bit of a challenging incline up, but you are rewarded with incredible views not just at the peak, but all the way going up to the top.
Don’t let a cold day stop you from being outside. Gear up, find a hiking buddy, and get out into the forest.
Images: Stephanie Flaming (Dragon’s Back Trail) & Andrea Sadowski/The Cascade (all other photos)
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
