Easier hikes within walking distance of Valemount
By Laura Keil
As the snow recedes and hiking season emerges, it is tempting to bite off more than one can chew at the beginning of the season. At high elevation don’t be fooled — your hiking boots are no match for the metre of snow still laying claim to the upper mountain. But even if the alpine is still out of reach, there are many underrated trails at valley-bottom that are worth exploring or re-exploring. Here are five that don’t require much (or any) driving from the Village. Tip: the trailhead coordinates can be copied and pasted into Google maps.
Swift Creek Lookout
Trail distance/Elevation: 3.6 km return, elevation approx. 37m.
Best parts: Natural air conditioned walk along Swift Creek, 180 degree views from the top of the hill, Views of Canoe Mountain, the Premier Range, and the Village of Valemount.
Trail description: Trail follows Swift Creek before ascending steeply to a viewpoint. Proper footwear is a must. The trail continues in a loop (see Swift Creek Loop below) or you can turn around here.
Trailhead coordinates: 52.838632°, -119.267895°
More info: www.hikevalemount.com/swift-creek-viewpoint/
Swift Creek Loop
Distance/Elevation: 10km loop. 150 m elevation.
Trail description: This trail follows Swift Creek to a lookout and then descends back to the creek, across a suspension bridge, through a grove of old-growth cedar, and then back up to 5-Mile Road.
Best parts: The calming rush of the creek, the huge cedar trees, the lookout overlooking Valemount and surrounding mountains, the lichen, mushrooms and other plant life, plus the suspension bridge. Watch out for bears (make plenty of noise so they hear you and carry bear spray).
Trail description: This trail follows Swift Creek to a lookout and then descends back to the creek, across a suspension bridge, through a grove of old-growth cedar, and then back up to 5-Mile Road.
Trailhead coordinates: Main St. Trailhead: 52.838697°, -119.267809°
More info: hikevalemount.com/swift-creek-loop
Cranberry Marsh
Distance/Elevation: 5.5km loop. Mostly flat.
Best parts: wildlife watching (nesting birds, muskrats, dragonflies), mountain views, raised viewing platforms.
Trail description: This trail skirts the edges of Valemount’s Cranberry Marsh, a wildlife sanctuary and important wetland environment. A boardwalk has been built on the north side. Some sections of trail on the south side are wet or muddy depending on recent weather. Watch out for bears in the same area (make plenty of noise so they hear you and carry bear spray).
Trailhead coordinates: (Ash St. cul-de-sac) 52.819133°, -119.258308°; (Parking lot near Best Western) 52.815450°, -119.270077°; (Boat launch) 52.820472°, -119.241927°.
More info: www.hikevalemount.com
George Hicks Park
Distance/Elevation: 0.5 km out-and-back. Mostly flat.
Best parts: Short and sweet trail between Swift Creek and the parking lot below the Visitor Centre. The twisty flat trail bordered by reeds is perfect for young kids to expend some energy.
Trail description: A very accessible and short trail, George Hicks Park trail weaves its way through a marsh adjacent to the salmon viewing area on Swift Creek near Hwy 5. View tadpoles, dragonflies, muskrats, frogs, and an assortment of marsh creatures. View Chinook salmon during the last leg of their spawning journey from mid-August to mid-September.
Trailhead coordinates: 52.833585°, -119.281875° (Near creek)
More info: hikevalemount.com/george-hicks-park/
