Planning Summer Tour
Hiking To Ice Creek Lodge
When organizing your upcoming summer tour, it’s essential to consider your crew’s capabilities. While some may find the ideal summer tour to be a perfect match, others might face challenges. It’s important to either select a tour that suits the entire group or find a group that aligns with your desired tour experience.
The path from the Burton Trailhead to the lodge is roughly 9.5 kilometers long and 3,000-foot elevation gain. This winding, man-made trail navigates through the forest and follows Ice Creek, providing ample shade and water to keep you cool and hydrated throughout your journey.
Most hikers take between 5 to 6 hours to complete the trail, which includes some technical sections requiring careful navigation over moss-covered loose rocks, log crossings, and talus slopes. The final third of the trail is where you’ll experience the greatest elevation gain, so we advise taking a substantial water and snack break at the river crossing before tackling this steep section.
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- Hiking alongside Ice Creek
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- Talus Slope Crossing
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- Hiking across the lodge river crossing
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- Fireweeds in bloom at Valley bottom
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- Ice Creek Lodge
A few suggestions to consider when organizing a summer tour.
- Plan ahead – Learning about the area prior to your arrival is key. Here are some useful links to check out
- Consider the weather – Summer weather in the mountains can be variable and sometimes, unpredictable. Best to have something in your packs for anything and pack appropriately.
- Train – Make a training plan and stick to it. Look at what is expected of you on the tour and set yourself up to have an incredible experience.
Training for a Summer Adventure
- Know your gear! Whenever you are travelling in the backcountry, make sure that all your gear is in tack. If using any electronic devices, check to make sure they are all in working order and carry extra batteries. Have all your radios, electronic GPS’, and/or Satellite phones charged.
Need a place to stay at either end of your Summer Tour? Consider staying with us at The Col Guesthouse in Slocan, BC.