An overnight hike to Eagle Valley Creek is the destination of the Caledonia Ramblers this weekend.
A small group has already committed their feet to the backcountry trek, and more are welcome.
"It's a good hike in, not difficult, and there is a cabin at the beginning of the valley but the real attraction is a small glacier not far from there," said hike leader Vivien Lougheed. "It's a great experience to go exploring the moraines, getting a look at a local glacier, and it has some amazing views."
Eagle Valley Creek is located east of Prince George in the Robson Valley, not far from Ozalenka hiking area. It is accessed off of Highway 16 by driving about 20 km down the Dore South Forest Service Road, then a 9 km hike (each way) from the parking place.
Lougheed said Eagle Valley Creek is a popular hiking destination under normal circumstances, but this is the first weekend the place has been accessible during the 2012 hiking season.
"The trail wasn't closed, but the road in had four mud slides across it," she said. "They just finished clearing that up this past week."
There is a task to complete at the campsite. The Caledonia Ramblers are not just a hiking group, they are also helpful stewards of the area's backwoods features. An outhouse at the Eagle Valley Creek cabin was tipped over by a winter snowslide and those who come along are asked to help heft it back up into place. Huckleberry picking is also on the agenda.
The group is meeting at the City Hall parking lot today and departing at 8 a.m.
"This hike will be a weekend long so come prepared with all the appropriate camping equipment," said Lougheed. "The plan is to hike in on Saturday, have dinner, hike around the cabin and then on Sunday go up to the glaciers and the moraines. The cabin will easily hold eight people and more if the weather is tough but so far, the forecast for the area is sunny. This will be a moderately strenuous hike."
Anyone wishing to drive themselves should have a vehicle with good ground clearance for dirt roads. Anyone wishing to ride with others is welcome, with a $25 car pool fee. The cabin fee is $20 per person ($10 per night) for this trip.
Another Caledonia Ramblers group is heading east this weekend for a different destination. On Sunday, participants will gather at City Hall at 7:20 a.m. (departing 7:30 a.m.) for the drive down Highway 16 to Viking Ridge.
This is a one-day excursion with a $8 carpool fee. For more information, please contact Sheila at 250-562-6194.
