There are countless hiking opportunities in and around Prince George, and it’s hard to know where to begin.
The Caledonia Ramblers, Prince George’s longstanding hiking club, make hiking easier and more accessible because the club organizes hikes throughout the region for all types of skill levels.
The club’s mandate is to “provide a venue in which individuals of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the outdoor recreational opportunities this area has to offer.”
Formed in 1974 by a group of outdoor enthusiasts, many of whom are active in the club today, the Ramblers have exceptional knowledge of hiking in the region. The Ramblers also publish the Caledonia Ramblers Trail Guide, which is updated regularly with current information about the trails around Prince George.
“We have a regular club hike every Sunday, and one Friday a month we have a regularly scheduled hike, and two Saturdays a month we have family-friendly hikes,” says Nowell Senior, who has been hiking with the Ramblers for 20 years, serving the last 10 as the club’s president. As well as day hikes every Sunday, the Ramblers organize more strenuous hikes and even overnight weekend trips to alpine cabins.
“What we try to do is begin with relatively easy hikes early in the season and the more strenuous ones as the season increases,” says Senior, adding “the moderate and strenuous hikes newcomers who are not accustomed to hiking shouldn’t do, and any hikes advertised as easy are the ones newcomers should do.”
For the remainder of the club’s hiking season, which lasts from May to October, the Ramblers have organized six easy-moderate or family-friendly fall hikes, as well as some challenging hikes for the experienced hikers.
This fall the Ramblers will be heading to the Cheslatta Trail, which is a part of the Cranbrook Hill Greenway, Esker’s Provincial Park, Fraser Mountain in Fort Fraser, Ginter’s Large Loop, Livingston Springs, and the Cliff, which is also a part of the Greenway.
The strenuous hikes include Fang Mountain, Tumuch Trail, Powderhouse Trail to Groundhog Lake, Centennial Trail and Blackwater West.
“On the hiking schedule we have a trip rating,” says Senior, who explained that the description of the trip, meeting, time, place, and travel cost are all listed. “All the information you would need to know if that hike would be suitable for you is there.”
Senior says hikers are welcome to come out on two trips as a guest and if they want to continue to go hiking they can purchase a yearly membership for $30 with the option to add another family member for an additional $8.
The Ramblers hiking schedule also lists a trip leader for each hike and his or her phone number. Senior says those who are interested in a specific hike can contact the trip leader for more information.
Although the hiking schedule wraps up in October, winter doesn’t keep the group inside.
“In November, we make up our winter schedule, which is snowshoeing,” says Senior, adding “the fall schedule is part and parcel of the entire hiking season and some of the earlier ones are actually snowshoe trips too because in May and June there’s still snow in the mountains.”
For more information on the Caledonia Ramblers and their schedule, visit caledoniaramblers.ca or check them out on Facebook.
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