a weekend in British Columbia May 11, 2024

With lots on the agenda for today, I set off early under a beautiful morning sky!  My first stop was to have a look from the Columbia Lake Viewpoint.  I had never been there before.  It was a half hour drive south, with only me driving on that road in that direction at this hour.  It was a nice surprise to see a trail leading from the parking lot and following along the ridge for a short distance.  There were many wildflowers, this was my favourite.   

view of Columbia Lake from up on the ridge

After investing a little time at that viewpoint area, I drove back north to the Hoodoo Trail.  I hiked this  trail back in September of 2022 while spending four days in the area.  Springtime casts a whole different vibe which I thoroughly enjoyed.  The crocuses were in abundance which surprised me!  Spring comes earlier in the Columbia Valley and I thought the crocus season would have been long past.  

on top of the Hoodoo area looking out over the Columbia Valley and Columbia Lake

I heard loads of birds but saw only a few.  My Sound ID App told me what I was hearing, yet I could not see the majority of them.  The Dark Eyed Juncos were easy to spot though.  

This was the view ahead of me as I completed the entire loop and aimed back down hill to my vehicle.

By now it was quite hot.  Before aiming to my next location to hike, I headed back to my home away from home to change into shorts, get more water and additional snacks.  It was a short drive there and also to the parking lot for The Old Coach Trail.  This view greeted me as I hit the trail.  

OH my!  I was excited to reach the top of the trail!

This was the view after hiking the dirt road for a short distance, following the trail through the trees then hiking up that hill in the above photo. There was not a breeze to be felt, the reflection in the water was crystal clear.  I stayed here for quite some time to take it all in.

This is a short video of what I saw around me!

This crocus captured my attention 

as it looked so vibrant in front of the burnt tree stump.

a Dusty Flycatcher

I hiked a long distance along the ridge that followed the Columbia Valley and Columbia River.  

While taking a break at this location, along came people kayaking and canoeing along the Columbia River.  It was so peaceful and quiet here, I could here them talking even though they are quite a distance away down there.

a Chipping Sparrow

This can be a one way hike if you are with others and can arrange a car shuttle but being on my own, it was an out and back hike for me.  I followed the trail back and enjoyed it just as much, I had the mountains to the east as my view.   

I took one last look back before 

entering the forest and following the trail back to my vehicle. 

I was tired and I felt like a hot mess!

This Tiger Tail Ice Cream on a waffle cone perked me up!

After cleaning up once I got back to my home away from home, 

I went for a walk around the townsite and to spend some time sitting in this public garden.