WHO WE ARE
Big White holds beauty that should not be kept behind pay-walls. Our mission is to gather information about the mountain and organize trail systems available to anyone. Our website is the hub for these trails as of now, however GaiaGPS, AllTrails, Strava, and ARCGIS, will soon have all of our trails.
While Trail and Park remain anonymous, the information we collect is anything but.
MEET THE TEAM
From left to right respectively: Mike, Wolverine, Park, and Trail.
DISCOVERIES FROM THE TRAIL
The Clear Lake Upgrade
To be honest, the first time we went to Clear Lake, we thought it was quite underwhelming; murky waters, bugs galore, and difficult beach access. Our most recent trip to Clear Lake, however, cleared some of these issues up. Clear lake now has a dock, a couple of benches, and a campsite all in the nearby radius. On top of these structural upgrades, the bugs are gone (must be a spring thing).
Clear Lake is now one of the best destinations in and around Big White. If you ever find yourself in the area, don't hesitate to check it out.
Lassie Lake and the Love for Gravel Roads
Our journey to Lassie Lake was misguided in its route, at least on the way there. What seemed like a slightly longer "scenic route" turned into a 52-kilometre* adventure with no idea what the destination would look like. Lassie Lake was gorgeous, large in scale yet surprisingly quiet. The rec site had dozens of empty campsites, toilets, and boat launches. While the road there is dastardly, it is manageable, and perhaps even worth it.
*The real route we found on the way back is only 18 kilometers.
Haynes Lake & The Vulture Trail
Some of these areas are starting to seem like people's "happy places". The astounding beauty and lack of recognition make it feel like these places are meant to be a secret. Haynes Lake (South of Hydraulic Lake) is quite likely the best day use area we have seen, including a toilet with a view, a picnic bench, a boat launch (if you can get your truck there), and trail access in every direction. Heading blindly into one of these trails, we stumbled upon a Twin Peaks-esque ghost town known as Idabel. Hiking five kilometres on a gnarly dirt road only to find a paved cul-de-sac with houses was quite startling. With no sign of life for the first fifteen minutes of our Silent Hill exploration, we began to wonder if anyone really lived here. A soothing rain began to fall, and we watched loons quietly wade in Idabel Lake. We turned around and headed home.
10/10
The Hydraulic Lake Adventure
Perhaps the best trail we have discovered, the route from Okanagan Observatory to Hydraulic Lake remains unmatched in it's beauty. Trails meeting basalt pillars, rock filled valleys, and thriving lakes are just the beginning of this route. Hydraulic Lake is the grand finale of this 13km in-route, perfect for swimming, fishing, or just sitting on the beach.
The White House Attempt
The epic adventure to the White House (a small public use hut east of the ecological reserve) was nearly a success. After riding ten kilometers up a winding, river-ran, explosive trail, snow still remained at the 1700 meter elevation mark. While we do know the best route to access this hut, its condition remains unknown to us. We hope to attempt this trail again in the coming weeks, perhaps with more efficient bridge-building.
The Clear Lake Expedition
