Nature Park Events and Activities

 

See our 2009 schedule of events below.

The Kimberley Nature Park Society organizes and leads a number of special events and activities in the Park throughout the year. This page contains a brief overview of the kinds of events we sponsor and a calendar of the coming year's activities. In addition, the Freewheelers Bike Club and the Kimberley Volksmarch Club schedule events in the Park.

 

          

Throughout the year we lead guided walks into the Park. Some are focused on learning
about the natural historyof the Park and others are mainly for recreation and relaxation.

Several times a year our trails committee organizes volunteer work parties to maintain
 and improve the trail network. Fresh air, invigorating exercise and great company
 make these sessions a lot of fun.

2008 Guided Events Membership Survey results now available in Word format here.

 

KIMBERLEY NATURE PARK 2009 GUIDED EVENTS

Whether you are an old timer who knows the park like the back of your hand and just appreciates social occasions in the park or someone new to Kimberley looking for a guided tour, the Nature Park Society has many events for you to enjoy.   Meet others, see new features or get some exercise!  To download a printable version of the entire events schedule in .pdf format click here. Please note that the Members Hike and Picnic has been moved to Sept. 20th from Sept. 19th.  There was a conflict with another event at the Campground on the Saturday so it is now on Sunday.  All times remain the same.

Grand Opening of the Eimer's Lake Loop - Saturday, May 2nd

Meet at the Higgins Street entrance at 10 a.m. Ribbon cutting ceremony with a walk around the new trail. Total time around 1 hour. 

Mother's Day Walk - Sunday, May 10th

Meet at the Swan Ave. entrance at 2 pm - An approx. 2 hour stroll through the northern end of the Nature Park to see the Glacier Lilies in bloom.  Bring your cameras.

Ride with the Freewheelers.  Wednesday Evenings - May-October

Meet at Overwaitea parking lot at 6:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome on these weekly rides through the Park with the local mountain bike club. Recommended for fit riders. Routes may include technical sections. 1.5-2 hrs.

Calypso Orchid Count - Seven days in May depending on bloom time.

Contact Pam @ 427-5198 if you would be interested in taking part. A total of seven routes will be traveled to encompass the whole park trail system. Each route will take about 3 hours.

Orienteering - Map to Discovery - Sunday, May 24th

Registration: 9:30 Start: 10:00 am Finish: 12:30  
Who: Walkers, Runners
This fun event marks the launch of the new Kimberley Nature Park Trail guide map.  Based upon the sport of orienteering, participants will be provided a copy of the new trail guide map marked with a number of checkpoints. Traveling in teams of 2 - 4, participants will have 2.5 hours to locate checkpoints within the park. 
Categories: Recreational - for those who like to take in the scenery along the way Adventurer - for teams that like to do some running and want to challenge themselves
The Course: Checkpoints will be located at features throughout the park, many in areas not shown as accessible on the old map.  All checkpoints will be reached via the trail network.  Each checkpoint will be assigned a point value. The object of the event is to collect as many points as you can within a 2.5 hour period.  Team members must stay together.
Object: A fun event for all  
Fee: A fee of $5.00 per map  
Contact: Jim Webster 250-427-0585 or sven10@telus.net.   If possible, please confirm your participation in advance.

Father's Day Hike - Sunday, June 21st

Meet at the Higgins Street entrance at 9:30am  for a vigorous hike up Mountain Mine Road to explore Myrtle Mountain . Bring a snack, water etc. Total time about 4 hours.

Forest Crowne/ Duck Pond Hike -  July 4th

Meet in front of Forest Crowne show home at 10 a.m. We will walk up Sunflower Hill and then along Duck Pond trail to Duck Pond, Keiver Way, Apache Trail and then back through Forest Crowne. Total time 2-3 hours.  Bring water and a snack

Julyfest Race in the Woods - Saturday July 18th

Third annual Nature Park/Julyfest races start and finish at the Swan Ave. entrance. Two races of approx. 5-7 kms and 10-15 kms. Phone 427-5054 for details.  Register at the Chamber of Commerce.   Entry Fee - $10.

Southwest Passage Viewpoint Picnic - Saturday, Aug 8th

Meet at the Riverside Campground parking area at 6:00 p.m. for a hike to this rocky knoll with a panoramic view of the St. Mary's Valley.  Bring your supper and appropriate beverages to toast this new addition to the Park trail network.    Total hiking time 11/2 -2 hours.  Picnic time - ?

Duck Pond Loop - Sunday, Sept. 6th

Meet at Higgins entrance at 10 am for a moderate walk/hike up Eimer's Road, Apache Trail and Duck Pond Trail to Myrtle Jct., then down Army Road and Eimer's Road including the new trail around Eimer's Lake .  Bring lunch and your camera. About 3 hours.

Annual Member's Hike and Picnic - Saturday, Sept. 19th Sunday Sept. 20th

Two different hikes -one longer, one shorter- starting from the Riverside Campground entrance and finishing with a hot dog/hamburger BBQ at the campground picnic site.
Three hour hike starts at 10:00 a.m. and the 11/2 hour hike starts at 11:30 a.m.
Picnic starts at 1:00 p.m. Bring your own plate, cutlery, drinking glass and lawn chair. Pre register at sven10@telus.net or call Jim at 427-0585.  The hikes are free, the picnic is $10.

Musser's Plateau/North Star Mountain Hike - Saturday, Oct.3rd

Meet at the Nordic trails entrance at 10:00 AM for this fairly strenuous but unhurried hike through Moe's canyon to the Musser's plateau viewpoint before continuing up to the top of the ski hill.  We would then hike down the ski hill.  Total hiking time around 4 hours. Bring water, a lunch, warm clothing/rain gear and sturdy footwear.

Golden Larch Hike – Sunday, Oct 18th

Two starting points - 9am Nordic Ski Trail entrance, 9:30 am junction of St. Mary Lake Rd and Matthew Creek Rd.

Take in the golden fall hues of the western larch. Choose one of two routes into Horse Barn Valley and Dipper Lake . From the Nordic Trails entrance, a mainly flat 4 km hike. From Mathew Creek , a 4.5 km car pool along a logging road then a moderate 2 km hike.  The two parties will meet at Dipper Lake .  Approx 4-5 Hours

THE SMALL PRINT

Kimberley Nature Park events are guided by knowledgeable volunteers. Events are free (except for the Julyfest Race) and open to all. Participants (or parent/guardian when participants are under 19 years) are asked to sign a waiver of liability. To make the most of your experience, please take note of the following:

  • Weather can be variable. Be prepared.
  • Few trails are flat. Expect every route to have some up and down sections.
  • Pack food and water and any other useful items, such as field guides, binoculars, bear spray, notebook and pencil.
  • Carry a Nature Park Trail Guide (available at many Kimberley retail outlets, the Tourist Info Centre in the Platzl parking lot, and Riverside Campground on St. Mary Lake Rd ).
  • Sturdy footwear is recommended.
  • Well-socialized dogs that don't chase wildlife or interfere with others' enjoyment are welcome. Please leash your dog in residential areas and pick up your dog's poop.
  • When using the Higgins St. entrance, please park a block or two away to avoid inconveniencing residents who live near the entrance.
  • The duration of each event is our best estimate.
  • More info? kimberleynaturepark.rockies.net      or phone 427-5404

 


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