Water off a duck’s back, and yours

If you are looking for something to do on a ‘cloudy with showers’ type of day in the Chilliwack area, why not consider hanging out with the ducks. The Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park is a great place to do just that. This park has a trail system with floating walkways that provides 2km’s of level walking. With 184 different bird species having been recorded in the park, it is a great location for bird watching, in addition to viewing many different insects and mammals.
If you fancy getting some fresh air but don’t want to be outside for too long in case a rain cloud opens up, I recommend going for a walk through the lake, marsh, and forest areas of this park. Even if you do get a little wet just think like a
duck and it will just be ‘water off your back’.

Please note, if you decide to visit the park, please leave your four-legged friends at home.

Last week I merged a walk in the Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park with a hike up to Bridal Veil Falls and highly recommend this combination, as both sites are located at Exit 135 on the Trans-Canada Highway.

For directions and more trail ideas, download Chilliwack’s Walking and Hiking Trail Guide here: http://www.tourismchilliwack.com/docs/chilliwackhikingguide.pdf

Circle Farm Tour

Want to be surrounded by good ole’ country charm? Then hop into your car or onto your bicycle and try Chilliwack’s self-guided Circle Farm Tour, where you will dive into the world of ‘farming’. This mostly Greendale-based tour includes a pottery shop and soap shack, as well as cheese, flour, and honey locations to satisfy your many senses. Depending on the season, there are also flower gardens to visit, in addition to a pumpkin patch and corn maze. Some of the shopping items available include: handmade soaps, unique, one- of - a kind pottery pieces, farm fresh produce, goat cheese, organic beef, kosher honey, kosher grains and fresh stone-ground flours.

Whether you are interested in visiting Chilliwack’s ‘Great Outside’ for the first time, or are a local resident, the Circle Farm Tour will have something of interest to you. Chilliwack’s Circle Farm Tour is an incredible experience for the whole family and there are also many other tours available throughout the rest of the Fraser Valley. I have lived in Chilliwack my whole life and consistently visit some of the farms and shops a couple of times a month to grab my favourite products and chat with the farmers. All of the stops are related in some way to agriculture and the Chilliwack’s farming heritage and it is always fun to learn something new about an area, whether you are familiar with it or not.

For more information on Fraser Valley Circle Farm Tours check out: www.circlefarmtour.com

My perfect day trip from Chilliwack

Here is my recipe for a perfect day trip from Chilliwack...in addition to the obvious ingredient of sunshine; my recipe includes walking through tunnels, traversing the mighty Fraser River via a tram, hopping over train tracks, and picnicking in the middle of an old bridge.

My day began with a drive from Chilliwack to Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park in Hope. Having lived in Chilliwack since I was three and never visiting the Othello Tunnels, I figured it was about time that I took a walk through history. The abandoned railway tunnels are all amazing engineering achievements dating back to 1911. The railway line, which opened in 1916, was only operational until 1959. The tunnels that remain, however, provide a spectacular setting for a leisurely walk or bike ride.

After my walk through the tunnels, I took the Trans-Canada Highway from Hope to Hell’s Gate, which is past the towns of Yale and Spuzzum. The drive up the Fraser Canyon took me through four more tunnels before I boarded the tram and rose 150m above the narrowest part of the Fraser River. The view was spectacular! Once I crossed over Hell’s Gate I found many things and activities to occupy me. The fisheries exhibit and video were very informative, the fudge I purchased was delicious and I was able to consume it while admiring the Fraser River, the history of Hell’s Gate provided was very interesting, and the locations to pose for photos were endless.

Following my return tram trip, I headed back south down the Trans-Canada Highway until I reached Alexandra Bridge. I grabbed my lunch, jumped out of the car, walked down the trail, hopped over some train tracks, continued down the trail, and sat down in the middle of the bridge for a picnic lunch. The bridge was originally built in 1863 but was replaced in 1926. It has not been in used by vehicles since 1964, which, was great for me, as I did not have to worry about having my lunch interrupted and the only ‘noise’ I had to endure was from the rushing water of the Fraser River.

An Evening at Tapins, Cultus Lake

Looking for something to do on a warm summer’s evening in the Chilliwack area? Thinking of trying your hand at golf but not wanting to commit to a full course? In need of a new activity to tackle with your friends? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then consider trying out Tap-Ins 70-par putting course at Cultus Lake.

I played my first round of the 18-holes worth of greens on a hot evening last summer and kept on coming back for more. My putting evening started after dinner when I called my friend, she grabbed two of her dad’s old putters, and we jumped in the car and headed to Cultus Lake. After paying the fee and receiving two balls, we removed our shoes, and took to the first green. Even though I apparently have no ‘golfing genes’, my evening was very enjoyable, and I even managed to make par at a few holes. The contoured natural greens, ponds, and surrounding trees made up a beautiful setting, and the mother duck with her baby ducklings that waddled across my putting path was a nice surprise.
Jessica H.

Hiking Elk Mountain

Knowing that I had the next day off, I asked my dad to join me on a hike. He agreed, and I eventually decided that we would conquer the 800m elevation gain of Elk Mountain. Not having hiked Elk for years, all that I remembered was that the trail went up, up, up. So, up, up, up we went.

I know that some people call Elk Mountain ‘Chilliwack’s answer to the Grouse Grind’, and I would have to agree with them. Don’t let this nickname scare you however. The hike is perfect for a hot summer’s day as the majority of the trail is hidden from the sun by the trees. As the trail steepens do not be discouraged. The sweat you will pay to Elk Mountain will be rewarded. Once you begin to near the top, views of the Fraser Valley are offered to you as teasers of what is to come and also serve as motivation to continue your hike. The summit in the alpine meadows is 1,400m and rewards you with stunning views of the City of Chilliwack and surrounding farm lands, Slesse Mountain, Cultus Lake, and Harrison Lake.

The lack of a gondola for the descent is not a problem as you will be rejuvenated from the views you have absorbed atop the mountain. And, if you still crave more fresh mountain air, you can always carry on on to Thurston Mountain (1,630m).

Although our legs were stiff the next day, my dad and I both agreed that this hike is what the “Great Outside” is all about.

Jessica H. - Chilliwack

Rafting the Chilliwack River

"Remember, this is a voluntary activity with inherent risk". As the guide tells me this I start wondering what I have signed myself up for. This is supposed to be an afternoon activity to celebrate a birthday - inject a little adventure into our lives. Well, it worked.

We joined Chilliwack River Rafting for an afternoon on the water. We donned our wet suits and our helmets and jumped aboard the school bus for a short drive to the riverside. After a safety talk we joined our amazing guide Andrea and began floating down the river. She taught us some commands which we took a while to perfect (some of us really struggling knowing our left from our right!). Once we hit our stride however, we were careening through the rapids celebrating each successful run with a round of high-fives. The smiles on the face of the 12-year old boy in the back of our boat made it all worth it!

It was another reminder about why I love living in BC: with just a short ride from my in-laws home in Chilliwack (about 90 minutes from Vancouver) I find myself on a beautiful river surrounded by mountains - holding on for dear life.

Who could ask for anything more?