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Harrison Hot Springs
Hiking
Put on your hiking shoes and spend some time in the great outdoors! Harrison Hot Springs has lots
to offer for everybody’s hiking ability. Boundless panoramas, glacial peaks, river carved valleys,
dense forests, it’s all waiting to be explored and hiked by you….just up the road..
   
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Click on the tabs for some of the better local hikes - we caution you to go
prepared, make sure you have checked the weather, have adequate shoes, supplies, a good map. Always
inform someone of your plans and expected return time.
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Harrisons Most Popular Walkable Hikes |
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Harrisons Most Popular Lagoon Walk – 5km round trip
Starting at the Memorial Hall head west along Esplanade Ave. along the lakeshore to the little building that houses the hot springs source. After a break spent enjoying the many birds and wildlife walk back along the Esplanade and around the lagoon, enjoying spectacular views along the way. Continue through the Maple treed Rendall Park and along Rockwell Drive to the Ranger Station Art Gallery. Looking out over the lake you may catch a glimpse of the many wind surfers and kite sailors. Return via the same way.
The Bear Mountain Side Trail Loop – 7.5 km round trip
Beginning at Memorial Hall walk east along Esplanade, through Rendall Park to Rockwell Drive. Turn right and walk straight into the Mount Street Trail. Continue on this trail to the Quarry Road Trail and further along until you reach farmland. This trail climbs about 20 meters and offers a great view of the area. At the farmland you will find McPherson Road. Follow this road for about 450 meters, where you will see on your right, the trail head of the Bridle Trail. This trail will lead you back through the forest to a bridge crossing a slough. Turn right onto Otter Slide Trail. After 350 meters you will come to New Forest Trail. Turn left and walk back along this trail descending via the Mount Street Trail to Rendall Park. Turn left and head back to Memorial Hall.
Bridle Trail -
Enter this trail at Quarry Road and follow it south to McPherson Road. This trail takes you deep into the East Harrison forest. Remember to wear rubber boots as this rugged trail becomes swampy after the rains.
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Nature Hikes (Easy to Moderate): |
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The “Ultimate” Trail: Sandy Cove Trail & Whippoorwill Point - 5km
Starting right behind the hot springs source, this trail climbs steeply to its highest point along the hillside, 40 meters above lake level. From there it descends to Sandy Cove, a wonderful little beach with beautiful views making it ideal for a short rest. Arriving at the south side of the beach you will find the trail to Whippoorwill point at the north side. Follow this trail to Whippoorwill Point where the Harrison River leaves Harrison Lake. From here the trail continues along the Harrison River, loops to the left and brings you back to Sandy Cover to return to the trail.
You get a bit of an idea on this
Youtube video but they forgot to video the beach.
Hicks Lake Loop Trail – 6 kms
Take a short 12 km drive from Harrison Hot Springs along Rockwell Drive to Sasquatch Park and follow signs to Hicks Lake. Park your car in the “Day Use” parking lot” and walk to the main dock. On your left follow the old logging road. At the fork in the road (just past the outhouse) bear right onto a trail which winds up and down crossing 16 little wooden bridges. At the end of this trail turn right onto a beautiful sunny beach. Follow the shoreline back to your car. Hicks Lake is an ideal spot for a picnic or swim so make sure you go prepared.
Bridle Veil Falls Hike: Distance return: 2 km Time: 1 hr.
This is a short little hike and well worth the little climb to the
6th highest falls in Canada. The experience of the cascading
water overhead and in your face is an opportunity you don't want to miss.
Directions: Highway1 Exit 135 (Agassiz-
Harrison). Do not cross over highway. Go
straight on access road 1km to commercial
area. Look for and follow Bridal Falls
Provincial Park signage on your right, just
before the gas station. Ample parking at the
picnic area. Follow the trail to the right along
Bridal Creek to the falls, admire, and for the
sake of variety, return via the trail to your
right. Both trails start and end at the picnic
area.
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Adventurous
and Strenuous Hikes |
Bear Mountain Trail – 20.5 km return
To get to Bear Mountain Trail drive 5kms along Rockwell Drive where you will find two driveways marked “Pickard” and “McCombs”. Here you will find an old logging road which switches back and forth up the Western slopes of Bear Mountain giving you superb views along the way. After 6 kms you will come across a serene little lake, the perfect place for a picnic lunch. This trail offers good shade and spectacular lake views along the way with occasional waterfalls and springs. The elevation gain is 870 meters (2850 feet) with an average grade of 14.5%. The additional hike from Bear Lake to the Bear Mountain Summit is 8km return with an elevation gain of another 180 meters.
Campbell Lake Trail – 10km return
This trail starts at the water reservoir on Hot Springs Road. (Opposite the Firehall)
This trail is Harrisons Grouse Grind. It climbs 5km to a mountain lake with a total elevation gain of 650 meters (2140 feet). The maximum grade is 35%, average grade 16%. This unmaintained trail offers a good challenge with a viewpoint from an old helipad along the way and a little lake at the top.
Mount Cheam Trail – 9.5 kms
Towering 7,000 ft above the Fraser Valley on Harrison's South skyline, Mt. Cheam offers breathtaking views. The best way to “assault” this mountain is from the back
which involves quite a drive and demands a good 4 wheel drive
vehicle with adequate clearance. . On Hwy 1 take the Vedder exit which will lead you through Sardis and Vedder Crossing. Turn left just before the bridge onto Chilliwack Lake Road. Follow this road to where the road crosses Chilliwack River for the second time. Directly on your left take the forest service road to Chipmunk Road. Follow Chipmunk Road to Mount Cheam Trailhead (about ½ hr) where the road ends at the tree line. Park your car and follow the trail in a zigzag fashion right to the top of the mountain. It is a pleasant 2-3 hour climb to the summit through open country. The round trip from the trailhead is 9.5 kms with an elevation gain of 650 meters. This hike is thought to be one of the most interesting and well worth the effort.
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Hiking
Resources |
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PDF Brochure of Hikes in
Chilliwack/Harrison area courtesy of Chilliwack Tourism.
PDF Map of Hike locations
in the Chilliwack/Harrison area courtesy of Chilliwack Tourism.
Hike
Chilliwack - A great site describing most of the major hikes
in the Harrison area as well as around Chilliwack with lots of
resources, blog, etc.
Write-ups - For
write ups on some these trails go to Clubtread.com and type in
"Harrison Hot Springs".
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News from
Harrison Hot Springs
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