There are so many hikes in British Columbia’s Columbia Valley, it’d take a year or more of detailed planning to make a go of each one. But sometimes, you only have a day or two to get away — how do you choose the hike of a lifetime with limited time? Hiking the Columbia Valley’s Mount Bruce is the perfect choice.
The hike at Mount Bruce is one you can do in a day and have memories for years to come. This short but sweet hike is up Mount Bruce which overlooks Invermere, Wilmer, Panorama Ski Resort, and the valley before Mount Nelson. Most of your elevation change happens on the drive to the trailhead — you’ll need a 4×4 to make the trek — and an hour or so to hike from your parking spot at the trailhead to the flat-top summit of Mount Bruce.
Don’t worry — if elevation change on the hike is what you’re looking for, you’ll have plenty. Even if elevation change isn’t what you’re after, the changes of scenery on the way up promises to keep anyone’s interest piqued. You’ll see clear skies, winding creeks, craggy boulders, and dense forests in different parts of the hike. Near the top of Mount Bruce you’ll find a smattering of larch trees. Their leaves turn bright yellow in the fall and, with a clear blue sky and snowcapped Mount Nelson as a backdrop, this view makes early autumn one of the best times to summit Mount Bruce. You can make a whole day of it at a leisurely pace. Taking it slow and the fact that the trail and even the summit have little to no exposure to the elements, this is a fantastic hike to take with the kids.
The Columbia Valley offers ample hiking opportunities, but making sure you plan ahead is the best way to create stellar memories you won’t soon forget.
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