A get-away to B.C.'s interior introduces us to Sun Peaks in summer where comfortable lodgings in the heart of the village make a perfect base camp for alpine hiking.
Nestling amid three mountains, the charming town centre conjures thoughts of fairytale villages in Austria's Alps. Pastel three-story buildings embrace a winding, brickpaved mall. Decorative trimmings, window boxes filled with red geraniums and simple signage embellishes facades. Like our inn, many boast balconies. Arcades open onto specialty shops, boutiques, galleries and cafés with al fresco seating. Luscious ham and tomato crepes for breakfast on one such patio kick off our first morning.
Ready for high adventure, we pick up lift tickets from guest services. Over at Sunburst Chairlift, we meet Mayor Al Raine and Olympian, (and now
Senator), Nancy Greene Raine, residents here since 1995. Today, they are our hospitable trail guides.
Hardy hikers often start out from the village. However, a thrill in itself, the chairlift makes the more than 1,800-meter elevation gain much easier for most. It launches us over forested hillsides and into the Shuswap Highlands. Below us, mountain bikers snake downward through purple fireweed. Green valleys stretch far beyond the tree line.
Deposited at Mid Mountain station, Nancy smiles, "Now we're right on wildflower doorsteps!" From here hikers of most abilities can continue along trails ranging from simple strolls to challenging climbs. Colour-coded pocket maps outline sixteen interconnecting possibilities, looping through 35 kilometers.
"We'll start out along Vista Trail, a moderate route that'll take us to Top of the World and back in about four-hours," Nancy explains.
Al points out, "Like many of our trails, this one follows former cattle and deer paths."
We sight brilliant Indian paintbrush, tiger lilies, fireweed and lupines.
"Just you wait...the best is yet to come," Nancy grins. "From mid-July to mid-August, wildflowers carpet summer meadows. This year's bumper crop bloomed early due to June's rains and high temperatures."
During B.C.'s August long weekend, the Alpine Blossom Festival celebrates this annual phenomenon with music, activities and special events.
A storyboard overlooking the valley tells us that Sun Peaks' was originally developed in 1961 as Tod Mountain - named for John Tod, Hudson's Bay Company's chief fur trader in the 1840s. Its chairlift was then North America's longest, though few other amenities existed.
Breathing hard in unaccustomed altitude, we make our way steadily toward Whyte Bowl. Our efforts are rewarded as the trail opens onto colour-splashed slopes. In the distance, a majestic antlered stag materializes, surveys his surroundings and nonchalantly saunters into lower flowerfilled meadows.
Ablaze with colour, the mountainside ahead features thousands of columbine, larkspur, lupines, Columbia lilies and Indian paintbrush, drenching sloped meadows in purple, red, yellow and pink. Juniper Ridge becomes the high point of our amazing hike. Sitting amid the bedazzling wildflowers, time seems suspended.
Back in the village, we thank the Raines for introducing us to Sun Peak's breathtaking wildflowers. Scrumptious patio dinners cap a day filled with extraordinary natural beauty.
Inspired to hike to Tod Lake the next day, we hop the chairlift back to Mid Mountain. Alert for markers as we follow the map, our self-guided expedition starts along a service road. Soon switch backing up Gil's Trail, we pause often for the panoramic views. Here along the mountain's northeast slope, scenic spectacles envelope us at every turn.
Walking poles steady our upward tramp; at times, the steep inclines challenge our resolve. Rest stops allow close-up studies of fuzzy white pussy toes, orange hawkweed and sub-alpine daisies.
Eventually leveling off, the narrow footpath takes us through flower-filled meadows and restful glades. Located at 1995 meters, Tod Lake fills us with wonder and accomplishment. We made it! Filled up with picture postcard scenery, we head on back.
Already widely known as a winter wonderland, hiking at Sun Peaks in summer reveals equally stunning vistas of wildflowers in all their seasonal glory. Go!
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