Chilliwack and the eastern Fraser Valley communities of Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs and Hope are close to some of the most breath taking scenery in the world. I suppose this is one of the many advantages of living out here.
This weekend, I took a return visit to one of my favourite hikes up the Coquilhalla Highway to The Needle and the Flatiron. With me were 4 hiking buddies and a family of 4 from German (all adults) out to enjoy a piece of Canadian wilderness.
The trail through the trees is quite steep and very soon your heart is pounding, your lungs heaving and your legs complaining. This is a difficult hike with an elevation gain of 882m, a round trip takes 6 to 8 hours. Do not undertake this strenuous trek without water, good hiking boots, poles and some provisions for the day. The winds can blow at the top so be prepared to don a sweater or vest while you enjoy a break. Equipment aside - you need to be in decent shape.
The west coast forest is beautiful and the blueberries and huckleberries offer us a forest treat. After about an hour the traffic noises of the highway disappear and silence with the odd bird call remains.
Climbing upward through the forest brings you into a lovely mountain meadow with some fantastic. views. I like to imagine as I traverse the giant granite plates - that I am walking along the spine of the mountain.
To the right is The Needle and we can see people already at the peak. I give a wave, but we are too far away to be noticed.
To the left I see the The Flatiron, it is here that our group is heading, but I am hoping to focus my photographic attention on a small glacier feed alpine lake to one side of the Flatiron.
I become entranced by the many splendid natural art sculptures time & weather have created with bleached wood. It seems as if they have been placed here expressly for our viewing.
The waters of the alpine lake above spill onto a large flat granite plate - I think "it is here that rivers are born".
The alpine lake is as pretty as I remember, clear, cold, pristine.
The Needle is reflected back in this lake in a number of images I take that day.
Stephen Mullock
is an award winning full-time real estate specialist with 30 years of experience and hundreds of sales. Thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Fraser Cheam communities of Chilliwack, Agassiz or Harrison Hot Springs? Contact Steve (click here) of Royal LePage Wheeler Cheam Realty for experience, local knowledge and friendly service you’ll be happy you did.