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Topic

Gwillim Lakes, Valhalla Provincial Park, BC

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PhotosCanada - West
Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
Dave @ Oware BPL Member
PostedOct 1, 2025 at 2:58 pm

Short, steep long weekend hike. Place is amazing. One guidebook says it has some of the best views in North America! Think Mini Tuolumni Meadows, Condensed Wind Rivers. Where the North Cascades meets the Rocky Mountains. Mtn goats, grizzly bears. Friendly Canadians. World class rock climbs nearby including Mt Gimli.

Lots of dirt road to access trailhead and the last mile needs high clearance. Wrap your car in fencing to keep out porcupines.

Also they have the best campsite set ups to reduce hiker impact I have seen in the backcountry.

Gwillim Lakes Valhalla peaks in back

More pictures at my blog

 

 

Jerry Adams BPL Member
PostedOct 1, 2025 at 4:33 pm

That looks really nice

A long time ago I canoed on Slocan Lake and hiked into Valhalla Provincial but didn’t get to the nice parts.  I remember the trail was much steeper than U.S. trails.

Were the Canadians friendly to you or are they unhappy because of U.S. politics?

Dave @ Oware BPL Member
PostedOct 2, 2025 at 8:07 am

Mt Gimli is another good hike nearby. 2000 ft elevation in less than 2 miles. Overly friendly goats. Spectacular rock climbs.

Canadians are super friendly. One store owner told us she has an extra room in the back if things get really bad here.

American customs can be awful coming back to the US from our nearby entry. And not just since the current administration. They try to provoke you. Make fun of you. Interrupt, treat  you without respect. A few are friendly.

Canadian customs are respectful but terse. All business.

We live close enough we sometimes go to BC for lunch or skiing. Canadian winter fashions are great, not the oversize Cabela’s look you see around here.

Jerry Adams BPL Member
PostedOct 2, 2025 at 10:18 am

yeah, I’ve been to Canada quite a few times.  Canadians are super friendly.  And they are just culturally different in many ways which is interesting to see.

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